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Treatments for Infertility
We offer a wide variety of laboratory techniques to help patients achieve success with assisted reproduction. These include:
- Intrauterine insemination (IUI)
- In vitro fertilization (IVF) with standard insemination
- Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI)
- Blastocyst culture
- TESA, MESA, PESA and TESE for male factor
- Cryopreservation
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| IUI: Intrauterine insemination |
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Intrauterine insemination (IUI) has a long history and is much less “hi-tech” than some other methods of assisted conception. IUI can help couples where the man has a low sperm count or poor motility (the ability of the sperm to move), as long as there are sufficient levels of healthy, motile sperm to make the treatment worthwhile. If not, IVF or ICSI will be more suitable. Because sperm is placed directly inside the woman, IUI can also help couples who are unable to have intercourse because of disability, injury, or difficulties such as premature ejaculation. It is also recommended for women with mild endometriosis, and is often used as the first line of assisted conception treatment for couples with “unexplained infertility”. |
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The development of the ovarian follicles is monitored with ultrasound .When ovulation has occurred, the male partner is asked to produce a semen sample. This sample is prepared in the laboratory, and is then introduced into the woman’s uterus (womb) by means of a fine catheter, with the aim of getting the sperm nearer to the egg. |
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| Examples of catheters used for IUI |
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Women usually remain lying down for 5-10 minutes following the procedure. Since the sperm is above the level of the vagina, it will not leak out when she stands up. There are no restrictions on activity following the IUI procedure.
How the IUI procedure is performed
The amount of motile sperm available for IUI is very important. The chances of success with IUI are best if the total motile sperm count at the time of insemination is > 5 million. If the total motile sperm count is below one million, success rates are very low. Therefore, in vitro fertilization or donor sperm insemination is |
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usually performed for these cases. Donor insemination can be used in cases where the man is producing no sperm in the ejaculate, or for couples who do not wish to undergo the ICSI procedure. |
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