Inter Uterine Insemination (IUI) is used by many single women, lesbian couples and heterosexual couples as a way to try to become pregnant.
This form of artificial insemination is often used when there is no identified infertility reason why the woman can become pregnant.
IUI is commonly used during a natural cycle i.e. without the use of fertility drugs but it can also be used with drugs such as Clomid which boost follicle production.
IUI bypasses vaginal insemination and places the semen directly into the uterus where the aim is for a single sperm to penetrate the awaiting egg.
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What is IUI?
IUI is an assisted reproductive technique which places sperm directly into the uterus with the help of a very thin catheter. This procedure ensures that sperm are available to access a woman’s egg during ovulation. IUI was formerly known as artificial insemination although many people get confused with artificial insemination and home insemination.
Home insemination involves using a syringe to place sperm into the vagina whereas article insemination must be carried out by a trained medical professional due to the procedures involved. Visit our home insemination section for more information on this topic.
Within fertility clinics artificial insemination can occur in four different forms: intravaginal insemination, intracervical insemination, intratubal inseminations for the uterus and fallopian tubes. Intra uterine insemination is now considered a separate technique from artificial insemination.
IUI is the most commonly used method and intra tubal insemination is rarely used due to the invasive procedure involved.
Related Articles:
Home Insemination
IVF
Natural Insemination