Homologous Intrauterine Insemination

Homologous Intrauterine insemination (IUI-H) is a procedure widely used for treating several reproductive disorders. It must not be confused with In Vitro Fertilization (IVF), since the insemination intends that fertilization is obtained in a natural way within the Fallopian tubes, where it is usually produced. It does not force the patient to rest or to suspend daily activities.

According to the legislation in force, before starting, the couple must sign a formal and informed consent authorizing us to proceed and to carry out analysis allowing us to reject the presence of serious illnesses for the health of the future child (hepatitis B, hepatitis C, AIDS virus, syphilis).

In consists of different stages:

1. Stimulation of Ovulation

Every month, the ovary starts the development of hundreds of ovocites (the cell that is fertilized by the spermatozoid produces the embryo). Only one, or rarely two of them, will mature, which provokes the ovulation or releasing of the cell by the ovary. In this moment, the Fallopian tube embraces the ovary and collects the ovocites. The spermatozoid, placed at the vaginal passage during intercourse, must reach the ovocites at the Fallopian tube. The ovarian stimulation intends that the ovocites are developed properly and synchronizes the ovulation with the insemination moment.

To achieve it, the patient will receive a treatment that has several characteristics:

  • Medication must be perfectly adjusted to your particular response: every woman responds thereof in a different way and even each cycle of the same patient can require different doses.
  • it is essential to carry out control of the ovaries in order to reach the ideal response. This control is made by means of vaginal ultrasound scans and, occasionally, blood tests. In such a way, we make sure that the dose is correct, because if it is insufficient it can imply a poor response. On the other hand, overdoses can produce multiple ovulations, which brings the consequence of a multiple pregnancy.

Normally, between two or four visits are required throughout the cycle. These controls also allow us to predict the moment of ovulation to carry out the insemination properly. If the ovarian response is not correct, for instance, the fear of multiple ovulations would prevent the insemination.

2. Sperm capacitation

On the agreed day for the insemination, the man leaves the sample of his ejaculation, following the directions given. In the laboratory, the best spermatozoids are separated from the rest and its fecundation capacity is increased by incubating them in adequate means of culture, which requires between two or four hours. After it, insemination will take place.

Insemination consists of placing inside the uterus the sample of sperm that is previously improved. It will be done only once per cycle, since thanks to the previous controls we will know the suitable moment to do so.

It is a fast and totally painless technique that uses a thin plastic catheter which allows us to place the sperm close to the orifice of the Fallopian tube.

Therefore, if we take into account that we are provoking the ovulation of mature ovocites, that the sperm is improved and that we get them near, it is easy to deduce that we remarkably increase the chances that the two cells find each other and fuse together, beginning then the pregnancy.

After insemination, the patient can calmly go back again to her daily activities.

Be aware that the cycle success rate in insemination is between 14%-20%.

We rarely advise more than three cycles, because most pregnancies obtained thanks to insemination occur in the first cycles. If gestation is not accomplished, an appointment is arranged with the patients to get the advice of our Reproductive Medicine Committee, where our team of doctors meets in order to evaluate together the clinical case and indicate the couple the steps to follow.

The gestation possibility is the same in every cycle. The rate of multiple pregnancies is reduced thanks to a correct control in 8%. (Published by our team may 2004.Fertility-Sterility magazine).

Once pregnancy is reached it will evolve in the same way as any other obtained in a spontaneous cycle.

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