IUI, Intrauterine Insemination also referred to as Artificial Insemination, is an infertility treatment in which sperm is placed inside the female partner’s uterus near the fallopian tubes in order to increase the chances of pregnancy. This procedure helps sperm in getting closer to the egg. The sperm is placed in the uterus around the time when the female partner is ovulating. IUI decreases the distance that a sperm has to travel to reach egg thus, making conception easier and less time consuming. IUI treatment is rather cheap and less invasive choice when compared to In Vitro Fertilization.

Before insemination procedure may begin, semen is retrieved from your partner that undergoes a process called “sperm washing.” During sperm washing, a concentrated amount of healthy sperm from semen is collected. Also, it is necessary to remove seminal plasma to avoid contractions of the uterus caused by prostaglandins. Once the semen is prepared, the infertility specialist shall put the sperm right into your uterus. Pregnancy takes place only when the sperm fertilizes the egg and the resulting embryo implants itself to the lining of uterus.

IUI is a relatively safe procedure and the risk of side effects and complications is very low however, there are some risks which may arise such as:

• Infection due to the procedure


• Spotting which fades away with time


• Multiple pregnancies