Intrauterine Insemination

Plano Women’s Healthcare – Intrauterine Insemination (IUI)

Intrauterine insemination (IUI), also called "artificial insemination," is a procedure in which the male sperm is placed directly into the uterus. IUI is used to increase the chance of pregnancy and is less invasive and more affordable than IVF (in vitro fertilization). Our all-female team at Plano Women’s Healthcare specializes in using intrauterine insemination to help individuals start a family while providing a comfortable atmosphere during the IUI process.

What is the IUI Process?

During IUI, the sperm is prepared, "washed," and concentrated down to create an even more effective sperm sample. The concentrated sperm sample is placed in a thin, flexible catheter that passes through the woman's cervix and directly into the uterine cavity. This allows the sperm to bypass vaginal secretions, pH changes, and cervical mucus barriers. In essence, it allows the sperm to be in closer proximity to the mature egg that is ready for fertilization.

IUI may be combined with Clomid or Femara, follicular scans, hormonal support, or hCG ovulation trigger injections. Follicular scans allow your provider to gather information about the ovarian follicle (what size, which side, if they are multiple follicles) and evaluate the endometrial or uterine lining thickness to prepare for implantation.

If I’ve Had An hCG Trigger Shot with My IUI, How Early Can I Check a Pregnancy Test?

The hCG from the trigger injection should be out of your system after 10-14 days. If you have a positive urine pregnancy test after 2 weeks, we recommend you come in for blood work to confirm the hCG levels.

Does Insurance Cover IUI?

Some insurances have IUI benefits – either partial cost or up to a certain number of IUIs. We recommend requesting your infertility benefits with your insurance provider before your appointment. It can be beneficial information to have on hand and is worth the phone call to your insurance carrier.

How Successful is IUI?

The overall success rate of IUI is up to 20% per IUI cycle. This success rate may decrease based on the underlying cause of a couple’s infertility (anovulation, PCOS, male factor, unexplained, etc.), maternal age, sperm count, etc.

Are You Ready to Start a Family?

Plano Women’s Healthcare offers intrauterine insemination services for couples battling with infertility. This can greatly increase the chance of becoming pregnant and starting a family. If you are ready to take the next step, Plano Women’s Healthcare is located in Plano, Texas. We also accept patients from the various areas around us, such as Dallas, McKinney, and Frisco.