Intrauterine insemination (IUI) is a fertility treatment that can help improve the chances of pregnancy by placing specially prepared sperm directly in the uterus. The procedure is also known as artificial insemination and is used most often in people who have conditions such as unexplained infertility, abnormal sperm count or mobility, cervical problems, and ejaculation dysfunction. During the monthly cycle, one of the two ovaries releases an egg, and IUI can be timed with a persons menstrual cycle. Fertility medicines may also be used along with IUI to help the ovaries produce eggs. The exact method used depends on the reasons for infertility.

The IUI procedure itself takes just a few minutes once the semen sample is prepared, and no medicines or pain relievers are needed. During the procedure, a doctor or a specially trained nurse inserts a small tube, specially designed for IUI, to place the final semen sample into the uterus. The process takes place in a doctors office or clinic.

IUI is a widely used treatment option because it is a minimally invasive, lower-cost alternative to in vitro fertilization (IVF), and it can be conveniently performed in a clinic. The treatment can be helpful for couples experiencing infertility due to medical conditions, couples with unexplained infertility, same-sex female couples using donor sperm, and single women wishing to start a family with donor sperm.

IUI is a simple and low-tech procedure, and it can be less expensive than other types of fertility treatments. However, everyones body is different, so theres no guarantee that IUI will work. The risk of IUI causing serious health problems is low, but risks include infection and vaginal bleeding due to the placement of the catheter inside ...