GYN CHRONICLES
Intra-Uterine
Insemination: IUI
Dr. Maureen Owiti
I
t so happens there is some work I’m
doing in conjunction with Mr. Ouma
Onyango of KUTV and this was the
topic of discussion. I hope it will be of
interest to you my wonderful audience.
Infertility is one of those things that affect
a lot of couples. Globally estimated to
affect about 50-80million couples with a
prevalence of between 8-12%. There are
various causes of infertility but for this
session I will dive straight into one of the
most common treatments for infertility
which is IUI (intra-uterine insemination).
What is IUI?
In artificial insemination, a doctor inserts
sperm directly into a woman’s cervix,
fallopian tubes, or uterus. The most
common method is called “Intra-Uterine
Insemination (IUI),” when a doctor places
the sperm in the uterus. either partner has a communicable disease
e.g. HIV.
How does IUI work? Why is
this helpful? Donor Sperm can also be utilized when
the male partner is without sperm in
several semen samples (azospermia) and
failed ICSI, among single women, when
a male partner is carrying an undesirable
hereditary disease e.g. cystic fibrosis or if a
couple cannot afford IVF-ICSI.
IUI makes the trip shorter for the sperm
and gets around any obstructions in the
cervix. Your doctor may suggest this
method first as a treatment for infertility.
When is IUI used? Indications
for IUI:
IUI is often used in patients who have low
sperm count, poor sperm quality, anti-
sperm antibodies, ejaculatory problems,
mild endometriosis, cervical mucus
hostility, unexplained infertility and when
How does IUI compare to IVF? IUI is rela-
tively cheaper than IVF, as a cycle on average
costs about KShs. 30,000/= per cycle with
a success rate of about 15%. IVF costs more
than 10 times i.e. KShs. 400,000/= per cycle
and success rates range from about 30%-50%
again depending on woman’s age and cause of
infertility.
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Who can’t use IUI?
This intervention will not fly for women
who have bilateral blocked tubes; women
who have undergone menopause, and in
cases of Azoospermic (no sperms) semen
samples.
How is the procedure
performed?
Ovulation kits, ultrasound, or blood tests
will be used to make sure the client is
ovulating then, the male partner will need
to provide a sample of his semen and
needs to avoid sex f or 2 to 5 days before
the procedure to help make sure his sperm
count is high.
The process of “washing” the sperm in a lab
removes chemicals in the semen that may
cause discomfort for a woman, and raises
the chances of getting pregnant.