Couples experiencing difficulties in natural conception can go with intrauterine insemination. IUI is a highly recommended treatment for couples struggling to conceive, especially under 30s. In this procedure, ovulation induction is one of the most important parts as it determines the pregnancy success just like the natural way.
Other than IUI, fertility experts suggest ovulation induction medicines when a couple is struggling to conceive.
This article explains the connection between ovulation induction and intrauterine insemination  and how it is crucial for successful pregnancy. Let’s learn about them in detail.
IUI
Intrauterine insemination is a well-known and successful treatment for couples facing infertility issues. In this procedure, the doctors will insert a washed sperm into the woman’s uterus to directly make fertilization successful. Instead of natural methods, doctors will insert sperm through a thin tube.
Ovulation induction
Inducing your ovaries to produce more matured eggs and supporting follicle rupture is ovulation. This is a phase where the eggs are released and stay in the fallopian tubes, and having intercourse around this phase can increase the chances of fertilization of eggs and sperm. For all the Assisted Reproductive Treatments like in vitro fertilization, intrauterine insemination, etc, providing ovulation-inducing medicines is the most important step.
Moreover, intercourse at the wrong time can be the reason for unexplained infertility. Therefore, doctors will suggest that couples try ovulation-inducing medicines and have sex around that time to increase the chances of successful conception. These are the two important roles of ovulation induction in natural and artificial pregnancy. But do you know why it is essential?
Why is the ovulation induction period crucial for IUI?
Fertilization takes place only when the sperm and egg meet and mate properly. In this instance, women should track the monthly cycle to find out their ovulation period. During this period, a female’s body will release the egg and be ready for fertilization and, if not, menstruation.
Therefore, sexual activity around the fertile or golden window can increase the chances of egg and sperm meeting, resulting in successful fertilization. This is the main reason that couples who are trying for a baby should have physical intimacy at least every 2 days. When it is happening through any different type of ART, your healthcare provider will track the menstrual cycle and provide ovulation-inducing medicines to plan your pregnancy.
What are the medicines provided for inducing ovulation in IUI?
In intrauterine insemination, your fertility expert will prescribe certain medicines to successfully induce ovulation. Triggering ovulation can effectively help in optimal conception while inserting the washed concentrated sperm.
These are the medicines used for inducing ovulation:
- Clomiphene Citrate (Clomid)
- Letrozole (Femara)
- Human Chorionic gonadotropin (HCG)
- Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)
- Human Menopausal Gonadotropin (hMG)
- Parlodel
- Aromatase inhibitors
One common question that arises in everyone’s mind is, will ovulation-inducing medicines have any risks? Take a glance at the following section to understand whether it has risks or not.
Is there any risk because of these medicines?
Some potential risks are associated with ovulation-inducing medicine. However, it takes place in rare conditions. The Ovulation-inducing medicines can result in:
- Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome
- Multiple births
- Ovarian cysts
- Bone loss
- Ectopic pregnancy
- Preeclampsia and premature birth
Even though this medicine has such risks, it happens only in rare conditions. Plus, when it is IUI, doctors will try to do intrauterine insemination during a woman’s natural menstrual cycle. So, couples and patients don’t want to panic that IUI medications will give you these side effects.
How successful is IUI at the first attempt?
More than side effects, ovulation-inducing medicines are highly associated with the success of natural and IUI pregnancy. So, you should be aware of this information too to stop panicking. The general or average success rate of IUI ranges between 10 and 20%, which is in their first attempt of IUI.
However, age becomes a critical factor when deciding the pregnancy results. Here is a table that has the success rate of IUI as per the age and attempts.
| Age | Success rate -1st attempt |
|---|---|
|
Under the age of 30
|
13%
|
|
30 to 34
|
10%
|
|
35 to 39
|
7%
|
|
Above 40 years
|
4% |
What is the main factor for the failure of IUI?
Intrauterine insemination is one of the most impactful treatments for women who don’t know the exact reason for infertility. Several reasons can be the main factors, in particular two critical factors. They are sperm quality and wrong timing.
Trying intrauterine insemination at the wrong time, which is not in a woman’s fertile window is indeed a waste. Yes, you need to undergo fertility treatment around or on the day of ovulation for successful fertilization.
The second important reason for the failure of IUI is low sperm quality. Poor quality sperm with improper tail and head and slow motility can become a barrier to successful pregnancy. Inserting low-quality sperm results in failure of intrauterine insemination or miscarriage after successful implantation.
Last Few Words
Intrauterine insemination can be the best and most effective treatment for couples who are struggling to have babies, particularly under the age of 30. However, the success of IUI has a strong connection with ovulation induction.
Therefore, follow your fertility expert’s advice, as they can track the golden window properly and do the procedure at the right time, ensuring success.
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One to two days after the beginning of ovulation can be the best time for intrauterine insemination. Your healthcare provider will surely analyse and track the right time to identify the exact fertile window.
Women could experience pain after the insemination process, which can be mild and don’t last for a long period. This happens because anesthesia is not a required part of this treatment.
Patients undergoing intrauterine insemination can identify the success of the cycle with these symptoms. Women experience menstrual delay, breast tenderness, fatigue, implantation bleeding, food cravings, and most of the early pregnancy signs.
Medications are usually started in the early stages of menstrual cycle. Doctors monitor and track the cycle to identify the signs of ovulation and use medications to trigger ovulation. The treatment is usually scheduled 24 to 36 hours after the HCG injection.
