Intrauterine Insemination And IVF

Intrauterine insemination (IUI) is a type of artificial insemination for treating infertility which involves the injection of washed and concentrated sperm directly into the uterus, with a catheter around the time the ovary releases one or more eggs, for fertilisation.

People Who Can Opt For IUI Are:

*In cases of low sperm count or poor sperm motility (i.e sperm cells can't move fast as they ought to) in the male partner.

* Semen Allergy (Yes some women react to their partner's semen)

* Cervical mucus abnormalities (some are quite harsh that they kill off the sperm cells before they reach the egg).

* Ejaculation problems or erectile dysfunction in male partners.

*Sexually transmitted disease, such as HIV in either partner.

* Unexplained infertility.

* Severe pain during sexual penetration (vaginismus)

* Finally, in cases when a woman desires a baby but no male partner, she can opt for a sperm donor and it will be artificially inseminated. 

While both IVF and IUI are types of Assisted Reproductive Therapy, here's the difference:

In IVF (In Vitro Fertilisation) , an egg is fertilised by sperm outside the bodyin a test tube before the embryo (fertilised egg) is transferred into the womb while for IUI (Intrauterine Insemination), the washed sperm is directlyinserted into the womb with a catheter to fertilise the egg inside the body. IVF is more expensive and more invasive than IUI because it's a complex procedure. Hence, IVF is usually only recommended after IUI fails.

Four basic steps involved in IUI are: 

*Egg production (Natural or stimulated with fertility drugs)

*Egg Tracking 

*Sperm Washing 

 *Insemination.

 If unwashed semen is used, it may trigger uterine cramping and semen expulsion, causing pain due to presence of prostaglandins.

 Success rate depends on the type of a couple's fertility problem and age (higher chances in women below 40).

Resting for ten to fifteen minutes after an IUI  has been proven to be optimal to increase the pregnancy rate.

Advantages of IUI:

* IUI is less invasive and less expensive than IVF hence it's usually the first step in treatment of infertility. 

* Helps achieve faster conception than trying normal intercourse.

* IUI allows fertilization to occur naturally inside your body compared to IVF in which fertilisation is done in test tubes. 

Disadvantages of IUI

*Taking fertility drugs (to stimulate egg production) increases the chance of conceiving two or more babies, and carrying multiples is medically considered a high-risk pregnancy. 

* Using gonadotropin fertility medication, can trigger Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome (OHSS), in which the ovaries become temporarily enlarged and leaks fluid into the abdomen.

* Inconvenient i.e the couple have to rush to the doctor's office as soon as the woman ovulates (releases an egg) because the timing of insemination is so crucial for the procedure. 

* The male partner must be able to produce a sperm sample by masturbating into a jar at the clinic on a short notice to be used in the procedure.

Has anyone gone through both procedures before?

which are the best hospitals in whatever location you are in Nigeria that has services for the best IUI?

Please try as much as possible to be detailed in your explanation and references.I have noticed that a lot of couples cannot afford IVF and if IUI is cheaper,why not!

Let your detailed analysis be able to refer someone to a good hospital where they can get help....and please include prices if you know as well.