How IUI Works

For women

If you are not using fertility drugs, IUI is usually carried out between day 12 and day 16 of your monthly cycle – with day one being the first day of your period. You will have a blood test between day 3 to 5 after your period has started and probably also from day 10 of your period to help us to identify when you are about to ovulate. Alternatively, we may ask that you carry out testing yourself using an ovulation predictor kit to detect the hormone surge that signals imminent ovulation.

If we recommend that you use fertility drugs to stimulate ovulation, then vaginal ultrasound scans will be usually used to track the development of your eggs. As soon as an egg is mature, you will be given a hormone injection (Ovitrelle/Pregnyl) to stimulate its release.

The sperm will be inserted 36 to 40 hours after your ovulation. The doctor will first insert a speculum into your vagina (similar to a cervical smear test) and a small catheter (a soft, flexible tube) is then threaded into your womb via your cervix. A prepared sperm sample, containing the best quality sperm from your partner, is then inserted through the catheter.

The whole process takes just a few minutes and is usually painless but some women may experience temporary, menstrual-like cramping.

Following the procedure, it's a good idea to rest for 15-20 minutes before going home.

For men

You will be asked to produce a sperm sample on the day of the treatment. Your sperm will be washed to remove the fluid surrounding them and to separate the rapidly moving, best sperm, from the rest of your sample. The rapidly moving sperm are then placed in a small catheter (tube) to be inserted into your partner's uterus.