IUI (Intrauterine Insemination)
- Home
- IUI (Intrauterine Insemination)
Learn what to expect when visiting the Emergency Department. Learn More
Menu
- Home
- About
- Departments
- All Departments
- Anaesthesia & Pain Management
- Cardiology
- Cardiothoracic & Vascular Surgery (CTVS)
- Critical Care
- Dental Surgery
- Dermatology
- Endocrinology
- ENT
- Gastroenterology & Hepatology
- General & Laparoscopic Surgery
- General Medicine
- Infectious Diseases
- Nephrology
- Neurology
- Neurosurgery & Spine
- Obstetrics & Gynaecology
- Ophthalmology
- Orthopaedics
- Paediatric Surgery
- Paediatrics & Neonatology
- Pathology & Laboratory
- Psychiatry
- Pulmonology
- Radiology & Imaging
- Rehabilitation & Physiotherapy
- Reproductive Medicine (IVF & Fertility)
- Patient Guide
- Diagnostics
- Diagnostics & Tests
- Angiography
- Biopsy Test
- Blood Tests
- Bronchoscopy
- Colonoscopy
- CT Scan
- ECG (Electrocardiogram)
- ECHO (Echocardiogram)
- Endoscopy
- Interventional Radiology
- Kidney Function Test (KFT)
- Liver Function Test (LFT)
- Mammography
- MRI Scan
- Pulmonary Function Test
- Sleep Study
- Test Preparation Guides
- Thyroid Profile
- Ultrasound / Sonography
- X-Ray
- Health Checkup
- Find a Doctor
- Academics
- September 5, 2026
- 4 MINS READ
Patient Procedures
Understanding IUI
Starting a family can sometimes require a little extra medical assistance. At St. Stephen’s Hospital, our fertility specialists offer Intrauterine Insemination (IUI) as a effective, minimally invasive first step for many couples and individuals looking to achieve a successful pregnancy.
What is IUI?
Intrauterine Insemination (IUI) is a type of artificial insemination. The procedure involves washing and concentrating sperm, then placing it directly inside the uterus around the time the ovary releases one or more eggs to be fertilized. With this “bypassing” of the cervix, IUI places a higher concentration of quality sperm closer to the egg, significantly improving the chances of conception.
When and Why is it Needed?
IUI is often recommended as an initial fertility treatment before moving on to more complex procedures like IVF. Your doctor may suggest IUI for the following situations:
- Mild Male Factor Infertility: When a semen analysis shows slightly below average sperm concentration, weak movement (motility), or abnormalities in sperm size and shape.
- Endometriosis: For mild endometriosis, often combined with ovulation-inducing medication.
- Cervical Factor Infertility: When the cervical mucus is too thick and impedes the sperm's journey, or if scarring from past procedures prevents sperm from entering the uterus.
- Unexplained Infertility: Often performed in conjunction with ovulation inducing medications.
How Does the Procedure Work?
- Monitoring and Medication: You may be given ovulation stimulating medications to produce extra eggs. Your doctor will monitor your cycle using blood tests and ultrasounds to pinpoint the exact time of ovulation.
- Sperm Preparation: On the day of the procedure, a semen sample is collected and "washed" in the laboratory. This process separates highly active, normal sperm from lower quality sperm and seminal fluid.
- The Insemination: The doctor inserts a small, flexible catheter through your cervix and into your uterus. The washed sperm is then injected directly into the uterine cavity.
- Timeframe: The entire appointment takes 60 to 90 minutes, which includes the sperm-wash procedure and the insemination thereafter.
Risks and Complications
IUI is a very safe and simple procedure. The main risk is a multiple pregnancy (twins or more) if fertility drugs are used to stimulate ovulation, as more than one egg may be fertilized. There is also a very small risk of a minor pelvic infection following the procedure.
Recovery and Rehabilitation
- Immediate Aftercare: You will be asked to lie on your back for 10 to 15 minutes immediately after the insemination. After that, you can get up and leave the clinic.
- Returning to Routine: You can resume your normal daily activities right away. There is no downtime required.
- The Wait: You will take a pregnancy test about two weeks after the procedure to see if it was successful.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
IUI is generally not considered painful. Most patients compare the sensation to a routine Pap smear. You may feel slight pressure when the speculum is inserted and mild, brief cramping as the thin catheter passes through the cervix, but it is a quick procedure requiring no anesthesia.
First, a semen sample is collected and "washed" in a lab to concentrate the healthiest sperm. The doctor then uses a speculum to open the vagina, passes a very thin, flexible catheter through the cervix, and injects the concentrated sperm directly into the uterus, close to the fallopian tubes.
A nutrient-rich, anti-inflammatory diet supports reproductive health. Focus on eating a Mediterranean-style diet rich in leafy greens, healthy fats (like avocados, nuts, and olive oil), lean proteins, and complex carbohydrates. Avoid highly processed foods, excessive caffeine, and alcohol.
In the first few days, you may experience mild spotting or cramping. Over the next week, the sperm travels to the fallopian tubes to fertilize the egg. If fertilization occurs, the embryo travels down into the uterus and typically implants into the uterine lining between days 6 and 12 after the procedure.
You should wait exactly 14 days (the "two-week wait") after your IUI procedure before taking a home pregnancy test or having a blood test. Testing too early can result in a false negative or a false positive if your treatment involved an HCG "trigger" shot to induce ovulation.
IUI can fail for several reasons, including poor sperm quality on the day of the procedure, failure of the egg to release or fertilize, or the embryo failing to implant in the uterine lining due to age-related egg quality issues or underlying uterine conditions.