Gentle first-line care
Intrauterine Insemination (IUI)
A gentle, minimally invasive treatment placing concentrated, motile sperm directly into the uterus at ovulation.
Quick facts
- Category
- First-line assisted conception
- Duration
- A single menstrual cycle, roughly 14 to 16 days
- Egg retrieval
- Not required
- Laboratory
- Sperm washing and concentration
- Sedation
- None — comparable to a routine cervical smear
- Follow-up
- Luteal progesterone support, then a pregnancy test after 14 days
Clinical overview
Understanding IUI Treatment
Intrauterine Insemination (IUI) is often the first medical treatment recommended for eligible couples navigating mild conception delays. The procedure synchronises natural or mildly stimulated ovulation with the intrauterine placement of laboratory-washed, concentrated motile sperm, bypassing the cervical mucus barrier entirely.
Is this pathway likely to be relevant for you?
Situations in which a specialist may suggest discussing this treatment:
- Couples with unexplained infertility and normal confirmed tubal patency
- Mild male factor parameters (mild oligospermia or asthenospermia)
Step by step
What actually happens, stage by stage
Knowing the sequence in advance removes a great deal of anxiety. Timings are typical rather than fixed, and yours will be confirmed by your specialist.
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Baseline check and mild stimulation
Cycle start · Day 2–7
An ultrasound check on Day 2 or 3, followed by five days of mild oral ovulatory medication such as Letrozole.
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Follicular ultrasound monitoring
Growth tracking · Day 9–13
Serial scans on Day 9 and Day 12 measure the lead follicle diameter until it reaches 18 to 20mm.
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Ovulation trigger
Timing alignment · Hour 0
A single hCG trigger injection is given to ensure ovulation occurs 36 to 40 hours later.
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Semen preparation and washing
Laboratory phase · 60 minutes
The partner sample undergoes density-gradient centrifugation in the andrology laboratory to concentrate motile sperm.
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Intrauterine insemination
Painless placement · 5 minutes
A narrow, flexible catheter introduces 0.5ml of prepared sperm through the cervix into the uterine cavity.
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Luteal phase support
Progesterone care · 14 days
Progesterone tablets or pessaries support the uterine lining during the two-week wait.
Why this may have been suggested
Conditions that lead here
PCOS & Ovulatory Irregularities
Personalised cycle regulation and targeted follicular tracking for polycystic ovary syndrome.
Read moreMale Factor Infertility & Sperm Health
Discreet andrology diagnostics, sperm DNA integrity testing, and micromanipulation solutions.
Read moreUnexplained Infertility
Deep cellular diagnostics and structured treatment escalation when standard tests appear normal.
Read moreQuestions answered
Frequently asked about IUI Treatment
IUI is virtually painless. Most patients describe it as feeling identical to a routine cervical smear, with momentary mild cramping as the soft catheter passes through the cervix.
Clinical guidelines recommend 3 to 4 well-monitored IUI cycles. If pregnancy is not achieved within that range, cumulative success rates plateau and moving to IVF provides much greater clarity.
Next step
Discuss IUI Treatment with a fertility specialist
A quiet, confidential consultation in Mysuru, or a video teleconsultation if travelling is difficult. Bring any previous reports — we will go through them with you.