Best IUI Treatment Center in Chennai - Bloom Hospital

Intrauterine Insemination(IUI) Treatment in Chennai.

What is IUI?

Intrauterine Insemination (IUI) is a type of fertility treatment where high-quality motile sperms are separated from the sluggish or immotile sperms in the semen sample using a special processing technique and then directly injected into the womb (uterus) through the cervix. IUI is usually performed following controlled ovarian stimulation using fertility medications and ovulation achieved using a trigger injection.

The processed sperm sample is deposited high in the uterine cavity bypassing the cervix. The distance travelled by the sperm in the female tract is thereby reduced and it also increases the number of sperms that have a chance of meeting the egg.

IUI can either be performed with the partner’s sperm or donor sperm (known as donor insemination).

How is IUI different from IVF? Is IUI a better option when compared to IVF?

The key difference between IUI and IVF is that, in IUI, the fertilisation (joining of sperm with egg) takes place naturally inside the body. On the other hand, in IVF, the egg and the sperm are combined outside the body in a lab.

IUI is the more common fertility treatment among the two – and, in most couples, oftentimes the first-line treatment before proceeding to IVF. This is because as IUI is a less invasive and cost-effective technique performed in the office. However, IUI needs patent fallopian tubes and a post processing motile sperm fraction of at least 5 million to achieve good success. If these criteria for IUI are not met, then IVF may be offered.

Although IVF has a higher success rate than IUI, couples are usually offered 2-3 cycles of IUI prior to IVF based on the patient profile and specific fertility issues encountered.

When is IUI recommended and for whom?

  • Couples without a known cause of subfertility (unexplained subfertility)
  • Couples who have difficulty having vaginal intercourse (for example, erectile dysfunction)
  • Mild male factor infertility
  • Minimal endometriosis
  • Cervical factor infertility (usually due to surgeries involving the cervix)
  • Sero-discordant couples planning pregnancy (to reduce risk of disease transmitted through sexual route)
  • Ovulatory dysfunction/Anovulation
  • Use of donor sperm for insemination

IUI Procedure and success rate in our center, Chennai

  • The first appointment is on Day2or 3 of the woman’s menses, when a scan is done to rule out residual cysts or follicles in the ovaries and ensure a thin endometrial thickness.
  • Oral fertility medicines like Letrozole or Clomiphene citrate are started for 5 days either alone or in combination with injections to stimulate the ovaries.
  • A follow-up scan is performed usually on day 9 or day 10 to check follicular growth.
  • The follicles are tracked using USG every 2 days, with or without the use of additional injections, until they reach a size of 18 to 20 mm. Usually, 1-3 follicles grow with an IUI stimulation protocol.
  • Once the right follicular size is reached, a trigger injection is given and IUI is done 36 hrs to 38 hrs later. In case of a double IUI, you may require two sittings, done at 18-20 hrs and 36-38 hrs respectively.
  • Husband is required to give a semen sample by masturbation on the day of IUI, which is then subjected to processing in the andrology lab. Total motile sperm count should be more than 5 million after processing.IUI is performed as soon as possible after processing.
  • A soft IUI catheter is used for insemination of processed semen into the uterus after exposing the cervix, with the woman in the lying down position. The procedure is generally painless and is completed within five minutes.
  • Bed rest for 15 to 20 mins is advised post procedure.
  • Vaginal Progesterone tablets are given for 15 days after IUI followed by a pregnancy test.
  • The rate of success for iui treatment is high in our center compared to others.

IUI Cost in Chennai

The IUI cost in Chennai depends on the number of IUI cycles a woman need to get pregnant. BloomLife Hospital is committed to provide IUI treatment at affordable cost in Chennai.

Key Pointers and Practices: Before / During / After IUI

Before IUI:

  • The tubal patency has to be established either using an X-ray based dye test named Hysterosalpingography (HSG) or a diagnostic laparoscopy.
  • A basic semen analysis is done to rule out severe abnormalities in the semen parameters which may not be ideal for IUI.

During IUI:

  • There are no food restrictions needed for the procedure. You may be asked to hold your bladder to facilitate the procedure, based on scan findings.
  • Gentle instillation technique usually precludes pain. In some cases, cervical manipulation may be needed to negotiate the catheter.

After IUI:

  • Some women may experience mild cramp post procedure, but this is usually minimal and self-limiting.
  • You may choose to perform routine household activities the same day.
  • Strenuous work and unnecessary travel may be avoided for 1 or 2 days.

The Bloom Commitment

We at Bloom fertility will work with you to offer an individualised treatment protocol, meticulously planned by experienced fertility specialists, to help achieve your goals in creating or growing your family. Our state-of-the-art facility offers a dedicated andrology lab for semen processing, a private insemination room to ensure patient comfort and dedicated consultants with nearly a decade’s experience in performing IUI.

Our services are aimed at providing a treatment option which is robust, evidence-based, patient-friendly, cost-effective and all under one roof to minimise patient inconvenience. To know more about our services, book an appointment with right away!