Intrauterine Insemination

You may have to undergo several diagnostic tests such as hysteroscopy, ultrasound scan or X-ray to check the overall health of the Fallopian tubes, ovaries, and the womb.

In case of women, the procedure can be performed in two ways. If you are not on fertility drug therapy, IUI is performed between days 12 to 16 of the monthly menstrual cycle. A blood test or urine test is performed to trace ovulation.

If you are on fertility drug therapy, an ultrasound scan is performed to trace the development of the eggs and a hormone injection is administered to stimulate the release of an egg.

In case of men, your partner is asked to submit the sperm sample on the day of the treatment. The sample is washed to remove the surrounding fluid and is separated from the slower sperm.  Then it is transferred to a small catheter for insertion into the womb.

Usually, IUI treatment is painless and is completed in few minutes. The sperm is injected 24 to 36 hours later followed by the injection of the hormone into the womb.

The following three steps are performed during IUI procedure in India:

Step 1: Speculum (medical tool) is inserted into the vagina to keep the vaginal walls aside.

Step 2: A small catheter is threaded into the womb through cervix.

Step 3: Sperms or a single sperm is inserted through the catheter into the womb.

After the treatment, you may experience slight speculum bleeding. It is noticed in the routine gynaecological exam. Cramping is experienced due to the use of speculum during IUI or is could be normal cramping that occurs at the time of ovulation.

To speed up recovery after IUI, make sure that you:

• Quit smoke, alcohol, and illegal drugs
• Take rest for short period of time to stop bleeding
• Take prenatal vitamins and healthy diet as advised by the doctor

Pros and Cons

Pros:

• It is cheaper and less invasive than other Associated Reproductive Therapies (ART) such as In vitro Fertilization.
• It has a high success rate with the couples who have unexplained infertility.
• It is like a Pap smear test and is not painful.
• Men who have the problem of fertility can have the better chance of impregnating their partner through this procedure.

Cons:

• Your partner needs to provide the sample within the time that is usually about 24 to 36 hours before the ovulation.

A few patients may experience discomfort in the form of pelvic pain, hot flashes, nausea, and headache because of the use of drugs administered to stimulate ovaries. In rare cases, administration of drugs may lead to swollen and painful ovaries, which could be a symptom of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS). However, these side effects are mild and disappear once the medication is stopped.

Cost of IUI in India

The total IUI cost in India largely depends on whether it is conducted alone or in combination with IVF procedure. The cost of IUI in India is highly affordable and cheap as compared to other countries in the world.

The overall IUI cost in India, however, depends on several factors. For example, it depends on the technique used to insert the sperms, the type of processing required, the quality of instrumentation used, the complications involves, extent of sperm analysis, number of cycles performed, the quality of clinic approached, and the fees of the specialist performing the procedure.

Even when all these miscellaneous factors are considered, the total IUI cost in India turns out to be extremely less than what it costs in other countries. It is estimated that the total cost of insemination is India is just a fraction of what it costs in the Western countries.

Cost of IUI Treatment in India and Abroad