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What is IUI? |
Intrauterine insemination (IUI) is also best known as artificial insemination. In IUI treatment, fertility doctors will perform a transvaginal ultrasound (TVS) to check on the ovulation before placing the washed sperm directly into the uterus. The desired outcome from this procedure is for the sperm to reach the waiting egg in the uterus for fertilization thus, a pregnancy. |
How much does an IUI treatment cost in Malaysia? |
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| The cost for IUI treatment in Malaysia ranges from RM 1,000 to RM 5,000. This price range applies to both public and private fertility clinics. |
What is IUI treatment success rate? |
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The general success rate for IUI treatment is 10% to 15% each time. However, the success rate may vary depending on a few factors such as usage of fertility drugs, cause of infertility and the couple's general health. |
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The main causes of IUI failure:
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Who is suitable to undergo IUI treatment? |
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| IUI treatment is most suitable when the uterus is healthy and no blockages in the fallopian tubes. Patent fallopian tubes and the timing of ovulation is prerequisite for IUI treatment. | |||
| Women | Men | ||
| Subsequently, IUI is normally suggested for women with ovulation problems, endometriosis-related problems and unexplained infertility cases. This treatment is also suitable for women below the age of 40 as the chances of pregnancy decrease with the progressing age. Generally, older age groups with prolonged infertility years are advised to opt for IVF treatment after detailed reassessment. | For men, IUI is usually recommended when there are problems with the quantity of sperm produced (low sperm count) and issues in the quality of the sperm, especially in regards to the sperm concentration, motility (movements) and morphology (shape). Similarly, IUI would be advised for men below the age of 40 as the progressing age will decrease the sperm quality. | ||
The Process of IUIIUI treatment is a short procedure and is usually performed in the doctor’s office or clinic. Below are the step-by-step procedures that you can expect to take place. |
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On your treatment day, the female patient will lay on the exam table with her legs on the stirrups. |
Your doctor will start by inserting a speculum into the vagina. | Sperm sample in a vial will be attached to a catheter (thin tube). | ||
| Step 4 | Step 5 | Step 6 | ||
| The catheter will be inserted into the vagina, through the cervix and into the uterus. | Sperm sample will be injected through the tube. | Your doctor will remove the catheter, followed by the speculum. End of procedure. | ||
| The visit for the IUI treatment itself is no longer than 30 minutes while the procedure is done within 5 to 20 minutes. There is no need for anaesthetic as the patient is not expected to experience any pain aside from slight discomfort during the insertion of the medical tools mentioned above. | ||||
What are the medications used in IUI treatment? |
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| IUI treatment can be done during a natural ovulation cycle or stimulated ovulation cycle. Hormonal medications will be prescribed in stimulated IUI through oral consumption (tablets) or injection of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG). The medication will function as a stimulator to ensure ovulation takes place and to increase the number of eggs produced. Usage of ovulation-inducing medication carries the side effect of multiple pregnancies — twins, triplets or more. |
What to prepare for before IUI treatment? |
These are steps to be fulfilled before the IUI procedure can take place. Preparing the semen sampleYour male partner provides a semen sample either at the doctor’s office or a frozen sample. The semen sample will be washed in order to secure only the high-quality sample. |
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Ovulation monitoringIt can be done either by using an over-the-counter ovulation test kit at home, performing a blood test, or by using transvaginal ultrasound, which is recommended for its accuracy. IUI treatment is best performed right after your ovulation cycle starts, which is around 12 to 16 days before your next menstrual cycle. Timing is very crucial in IUI treatment as it can increase your chance of pregnancy. Aside from the above-mentioned steps, there are a few other preparations to be taken into consideration before starting IUI treatment. Both public and private fertility clinics shall advise the couple seeking treatment to undergo pathology and fertility tests before planning for IUI. A pathology test is conducted to detect any underlying disease or health conditions such as HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). A fertility test could determine the cause of infertility which can help your doctor in devising the treatment plan that best suits you and your partner. |
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What are the things you can do or avoid after IUI treatment? |
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| IUI treatments usually don’t cause any disruptions in your daily life. Although there are instances that you may experience cramps akin to menstrual cramps or slight bleeding. Your doctor will suggest taking it easy and lessening the vigorous physical activities such as aerobic exercises and heavy lifting. | ||
| Can you have sexual intercourse after IUI treatment? | Can you have sexual intercourse after getting pregnant? | |
| The answer is yes. Your doctor might even encourage it as it can increase the chance of conception. However, you will be advised to wait at least 48 hours if there are bleeding during the treatment. | The answer is yes. Pregnancy from IUI treatment is no different from natural conception pregnancy. | |
| What alarm signs to look out for after IUI treatment? | When you are feeling pain, it is a sure sign that your body is letting you know that something is not right. The symptoms can come in the form of a combination of abdominal pain, abdominal bloating, nausea, breathing difficulty, severe headaches, cramps and/or bleeding after the treatment. It is important to immediately contact your healthcare provider when the symptoms arise. | |
