Natural Support for Intrauterine insemination (IUI)
IUI Support in Toronto & Ontario
At Conceive Health, we support your IUI experience by optimizing egg and sperm health, preparing your body for treatment, and easing stress along the way.
Intrauterine Insemination (IUI)
If you are experiencing difficulties getting pregnant, Intrauterine Insemination (IUI) may be on your fertility treatment radar. Once known as artificial insemination, it is less invasive and less expensive than In Vitro Fertilization (IVF).
The process involves depositing sperm directly into the uterus using medical assistance to known as Artificial Reproductive Technology (ART). The goal of IUI is to increase the number of sperm that reach the fallopian tubes and improve the chances of fertilization, and subsequently, conception. It may be used as fertility treatment for the following conditions:
If you have unexplained infertility
If you are using donor sperm to conceive
If you have scar tissue on your cervix which may reduce the sperm's ability to reach the uterus and fallopian tubes
If you have had previous surgery on the cervix which makes it difficult for the sperm to reach the uterus and fallopian tubes (ie., a trachelectomy or cone biopsy).
If you have a cervical condition that can affect conception, including cervical mucus problems
If your partner has ejaculation dysfunction, a low sperm count, poor motility (movement) or poor morphology (shape).
Improving Your
Fertility Treatment
Many struggling with infertility turn to IVF or IUI treatment — yet, only 25% will be successful the first time. At Conceive Health, we help you take the necessary steps to make your family dreams come true.
Optimizing Egg and Sperm Quality
IVF combines egg and sperm, but it can’t improve their quality or ability to thrive. If you’ve been trying to conceive for a while, had a failed IVF or IUI cycle, or are planning your first IVF treatment, then preconception care might be right for you.
The IUI Treatment Process
The following steps outline what you can expect if you are undergoing IUI treatment.
Regulate Your Cycle
Your medical team will monitor your natural menstrual cycle (no medications to stimulate the ovaries) or a cycle which incorporates fertility medications. They will check your hormone values, follicle counts and development, ovulation and endometrial lining to determine the best timing for your IUI treatment.
Ovarian Stimulation
Your doctor may combine IUI with ovarian stimulating drugs to maximize the chances of conception. Medications may include Clomid (clomiphene citrate), Letrozole (Femara) and/or Oviderel/hCG — however each patient case is unique, based on your hormonal and medical profile.
Sperm Washing
Your medical team prepares the sperm in the laboratory during a process called “sperm washing.” This is to ensure that the most viable sperm are used for insemination, which can influence the chances of success during the IUI procedure. Note: donor sperm is usually ‘pre-washed’ so this step is not needed.
IUI Treatment Day
Careful monitoring will ensure that the IUI procedure coincides with your ovulation. Then the medical team will place the sperm into the uterus using a catheter or thin flexible tube. This precision technique ensures that a larger number of quickly moving sperm will reach the egg. Your doctor may follow this by administering progesterone (via injection or vaginal suppository) to support conception.
Pregnancy Test
About two weeks after your IUI (the “two-week wait”), you’ll have a blood test to check your hCG levels and confirm whether you’re pregnant. If the result is positive, your first ultrasound will typically be scheduled two weeks later. If the result is negative, you’ll meet with your medical team to discuss next steps and whether you’re a candidate for in vitro fertilization (IVF) or other fertility treatments.
Preconception Care for IUI
At Conceive Health, we help you take the necessary steps to make your family dreams come true. Working alongside your medical team, we optimize the time leading up to your IUI. That means correcting nutritional deficiencies, reducing environmental exposures, and improving lifestyle habits.
Much like warming up before exercise, we know that preconception care is one of the most important actions you can take to improve your odds during IUI. After all, the better your sperm and egg quality, the greater your chances of getting pregnant, staying pregnant, and having a healthy pregnancy.
FAQs for IUI Treatment
Here you will find the answers to the most commonly asked questions about Intrauterine Insemination (IUI).
Does Intrauterine Insemination (IUI) hurt?
Most people experience little to no pain during IUI.
Are there side effects with IUI treatment?
A small percentage of people may experience mild cramping. Severe side effects like infections, which can occur with any medical procedure, are very rare.
Any side effects are often attributed to the fertility drugs taken during the IUI cycle, not the procedure. These are temporary and may include bloating, mood swings, nausea, pelvic discomfort, headaches and others. They are usually mild and disappear when the medication is stopped. Your naturopathic doctor at Conceive Health can also work with you to minimize side effects and reduce potential complications.
What is the success rate of IUI?
The success rate for IUI treatment on the first attempt depends on multiple factors, including: age, cause of infertility, whether fertility drugs were used and other reasons. On average, a woman under 35 will have a 10 to 20 percent chance of pregnancy with each IUI, while someone over 40 will have a two to five percent chance. At Conceive Health, we incorporate specific preconception care protocols into your treatment plan to improve your chances of achieving your dream of having a child.
What vitamins are good for IUI treatment?
Your Conceive Health naturopath will work with you to help you prepare for IUI and ensure you are taking supportive nutrients. Typically, your preconception program will continue throughout your IUI cycle until you are pregnant. We may add in particular vitamins, minerals or herbs, depending on your response to medications and cycle monitoring results. Note that this is case-specific.
What should I be eating to prepare for IUI?
When is IUI treatment acupuncture performed?
- Day 3-11: it is performed to regulate FSH levels and boost blood flow to support growing follicles and thicken endometrial lining.
- Day 11-14: it is done pre-ovulation or retrieval to improve blood flow and thicken endometrial lining, day-to decrease stress, improve blood flow and reduce contractility of the uterus.
- 7 days post ovulation (IUI) to support implantation rates, and stress support for the 2 week wait.
Dr Jennifer Fitzgerald is an essential member of my health team. I first came to Jennifer as I was looking for a more integrated approach combining nutritional supplementation and acupuncture with standard medical protocol. In a complicated and stressful scenario, Dr Fitzgerald is personable, caring and a calming influence. I couldn’t imagine doing this without her by my side.
Jen Georgopoulos
Patient and Proud Parent
Ready to take the first step?
Contact us today to discuss how preconception care can help you achieve your fertility dreams.