IUI
In IUI, washed and concentrated sperm is placed straight into the womb around the time you ovulate. It is simpler and less invasive than IVF, and often the first step for milder fertility problems.
With Datuk Dr. Navdeep Singh Pannu, FRCOG, at Alpha IVF & Women's Specialists, Kota Damansara
- The procedure
- A few minutes, with no sedation
- Timing
- Around ovulation, natural or helped by medication
- Monitoring
- A few scans to time it
- Pregnancy test
- Two to three weeks after the IUI
What it is
IUI (intrauterine insemination) shortens the sperm's journey. On the day you ovulate, your partner's semen sample is washed in the laboratory to separate the healthiest, most active sperm. They are then passed into the womb through a thin, soft tube.
IUI can be done in a natural cycle, or with tablets or injections that help one or two eggs mature. Scans show when the egg is ready, and a "trigger" injection can time ovulation exactly.
It works only if at least one fallopian tube is open and there are enough good sperm, so these are checked first.
Who it can help
- Mildly low sperm count or movement
- Irregular ovulation, including PCOS, together with ovulation tablets
- Mild endometriosis
- Problems with the cervix or cervical mucus
- Difficulty with intercourse
- Unexplained infertility
How it works
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Tests first
A consultation, a semen analysis, hormone blood tests, a scan and a check that your tubes are open.
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Ovulation support
If needed, tablets or low-dose injections in the first part of your cycle help an egg mature.
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Monitoring scans
A few scans track the growing follicle and the lining of the womb, and decide the best day.
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Trigger injection
When the follicle is ready, an injection sets ovulation for about a day and a half later.
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Insemination
On the day, the semen sample is washed and the sperm are placed in the womb. It takes a few minutes and feels much like a smear test.
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Pregnancy test
You may be given progesterone to support the lining, and have a pregnancy test two to three weeks later.
Good to know
Side effects and risks
- Mild cramps or spotting on the day
- With ovulation medication, a chance of twins if more than one egg matures; scans help keep this risk low
- Rarely, infection
How many cycles?
Each IUI cycle has a modest chance of working, so several cycles are often planned. If three or four have not worked, IVF is usually the next step to discuss.
When IUI is not the right choice
Blocked tubes, a very low sperm count, more severe endometriosis or a woman's age can make IVF the better first step. You will be told honestly which suits you.
Costs and EPF
IUI costs much less than IVF. Legally married couples under 55 can apply to use their EPF Account 2 savings for IUI; check the current rules with KWSP.
Questions people ask
Does IUI hurt?
Most women feel only mild discomfort, like a smear test, and perhaps some cramping for a few hours.
Does my partner need to be there?
He needs to give a fresh semen sample on the day, usually a couple of hours before the insemination.
Can I go back to work afterwards?
Yes. There is no need to rest in bed after an IUI.
How is IUI different from IVF?
In IUI, fertilisation still happens naturally inside the body. In IVF, eggs are collected and fertilised in the laboratory, which helps with more serious problems.
Further reading
This page is general information and does not take your personal circumstances into account. Please speak to your doctor for advice that is right for you. Disclaimers