IUI CANDIDATES – SAN ANTONIO, TX

At the Fertility Center of San Antonio, we are proud to provide individuals and couples with numerous treatment options. Whatever a patient needs to start a family, we can help provide it, back up advanced technology and techniques with equal parts experience and insight.

A number of patients have been helped thanks to intrauterine insemination (IUI), a popular form of artificial insemination. Let’s consider the basics of IUI and who the ideal candidates are for this fertility treatment option.

What Is Intrauterine Insemination (IUI)?

IUI is a type of artificial insemination that involves placing sperm directly into the uterus by means of a catheter. This bypasses the cervix, bringing the sperm closer to the egg that will be fertilized. Simply by reducing the distance that needs to be traveled and preventing issues with cervical mucus that may halt the travel of the sperm, IUI increases the chances of successful pregnancy and live birth.

General Candidacy for Intrauterine Insemination (IUI)

Good candidates for IUI should be in generally good health, with normal hormone levels and no wellness issues that adversely impact fertility. They should have realistic expectations about the IUI process, and be willing to follow all fertility specialist instructions with regard to fertility drugs, visits, and follow-up care.

Issues That Often Result in the Use of Intrauterine Insemination (IUI)

IUI is generally most effective when addressing these kinds of issues related to infertility:

  • Problems with ovulation
  • Mild male factor infertility
  • Failed treatment using fertility drugs alone
  • Unexplained infertility

During the consultation process, the patient/couple can be assessed for candidacy. The fertility specialist can also offer a general estimate for IUI treatment success based on the situation.

Fertility Issues That Intrauterine Insemination (IUI) Cannot Address

While IUI can be quite effective in a number of scenarios, it may be limited in terms of effectiveness in other situations. Below are some conditions or causes of infertility that IUI will not be effective in addressing:

  • Blocked fallopian tubes
  • Damaged fallopian tubes
  • Problems with pelvic adhesions
  • Diminished ovarian reserve
  • Serious male factor infertility
  • Severe endometriosis

If any of these conditions or combinations of these conditions are present, an alternative fertility treatment would be most ideal. Additionally, people who have attempted IUI at least four times in the past without success are not ideal candidates for another IUI attempt.

Alternatives to Intrauterine Insemination (IUI)

If IUI is not a good option for you, there are many other fertility treatments that could be helpful. This includes in vitro fertilization (IVF), which involves harvesting a woman’s eggs and fertilizing these eggs in a lab setting. This significantly improves the chances of successful pregnancy. The use of sperm donor, egg donors, and surrogate carriers also offers a number of alternatives worth considering.

Going Over All of Your Options for Fertility Treatment

It’s important to us that each patient undergoes a fertility treatment that is completely tailored to their needs. During the consultation process, we will carefully assess all options for care, and go over the various pros and cons involved. This will help patients make the most informed and empowered decisions when it comes to their fertility treatment options.

Contact the Fertility Center of San Antonio

For more information about IUI and how it can help you start a family, be sure to contact our team of fertility specialists today. The team at the Fertility Center of San Antonio will work with you to find the right solution to address your infertility issues.