IUI Specialist

What is intrauterine insemination?

Intrauterine insemination (IU) is also known as artificial insemination. This procedure involves the separation of sperm from the seminal fluid and its placement into your uterus.

Dr. Ramirez and The Fertility & Gynecology Center - Monterey Bay IVF team place millions of sperm directly into your uterus under ultrasound surveillance using a specialized catheter. The insemination process occurs when you’re most fertile.

Why should I consider intrauterine insemination?

Intrauterine insemination is a potential treatment option if you have structural issues with your reproductive system that causes infertility. You may also benefit from intrauterine insemination if you need donor sperm due to male infertility or if you don’t have a male partner.

The Fertility & Gynecology Center - Monterey Bay IVF team may also recommend intrauterine insemination if you have infertility issues with no identifiable reason or if you have a condition like polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) or mild endometriosis.

What can I expect during intrauterine insemination?

To prepare your body for intrauterine insemination, Dr. Ramirez may prescribe fertility drugs in advance of your procedure. These medications increase the number of eggs you produce during ovulation. Available medications include:

Clomid

Clomid is a medication that improves the function of your ovaries and regulates your ovulatory cycle. You may be a candidate for Clomid based on the root cause of your infertility and if you’re under 35 years old. Dr. Ramirez can determine the right dosage you need by monitoring your body’s response with an ultrasound.

Superovulation

Superovulation with fertility drugs is an option for women with PCOS. When you have this condition, your ovaries don’t function properly, and you can’t ovulate regularly. Dr. Ramirez aims for you to ovulate 3-5 eggs per cycle with the injectable fertility medicines.

After your ovulatory follicles reach the proper size, you receive a hormone injection to trigger ovulation. The Fertility & Gynecology Center - Monterey Bay IVF team collects a semen sample from your partner or uses donor sperm for the procedure. They prepare the sperm before Dr. Ramirez uses a thin catheter to place the sperm painlessly.

Dr. Ramirez believes that he can achieve greater success by doing two intrauterine insemination procedures at 24 and 48 hours from the trigger and will even move forward with treatment on the weekend so as not to disrupt your cycle.

If, after four attempts at intrauterine insemination, you don’t become pregnant, Dr. Ramirez may recommend in vitro fertilization (IVF).

To discuss your options for intrauterine insemination, schedule a consultation with the team at The Fertility & Gynecology Center - Monterey Bay IVF by phone or book online today.