Typical Treatment

 – IUI

Intrauterine Insemination with Husband’s Sperm

Intrauterine Insemination (IUI) (Artificial Insemination: AIH) using the partner’s semen is a procedure where the sperm is returned directly into the uterus according to the peak time for ovulation. At first the male partner will be provided a cup, directed to a room, and asked to provide a sample of semen. This sample will then be checked and centrifuged to remove any dead sperm, bacteria, etc. After the centrifuge process, the sperm that are the best and especially those that have high motility rate (swim the best) are isolated and removed from the original sample. This resulting high concentration of healthy sperm is then loaded into an injector (similar to an average syringe but with a long tube attached) and the outlet end is inserted into the uterus through the vagina and the sperm is injected into the uterus. This procedure is painless and has minimal risk so therefore the couple can return home immediately after the procedure. Intrauterine Insemination can be performed as often as required.

Patients

Two cases where we usually recommend that a couple first try Intrauterine Insemination are when the male partner mildly to moderately suffers from Oligozoospermia (the chronic production of only a small number of sperm) or Asthenozoospermia (the amount of sperm is ok but they have a motility problem (do not swim well)).

Sperm Preparation

Sperm is placed above the 4 layers of percoll gradient and centrifuges for 20 min to filter out debris and dead sperm. The small sperm pellet formed at the bottom of the tube is aspirated and used for Intrauterine Insemination.