IUI is a relatively simple procedure which helps in achieving successful conception. IUI procedure can give rise to many complications as there is an introduction of sperm sample into the uterus of the woman. There are also chances of infections. Get to know about IUI complications, read on. Before talking about the complications, it will be helpful if we discuss in brief the process of IUI. In IUI or intrauterine insemination, the sperm is directly planted inside the uterus of the woman during her most fertile period; which is the time when she is ovulating or just prior to her ovulation. Since the objective is to enhance the chances of successful conception, a concentrated solution of sperms that are first washed with medicated solutions is placed inside the fallopian tube for the fertilisation to take place. In this articleHow IUI is Done?Probable ComplicationsMedicine Induced RisksInfectionNo PregnancyHow IUI is Done?Usually fertility drugs are administered to the woman to trigger the stimulation of her ovaries and ovulation to take place.There are various ways to monitor ovulation like charting the basal body temperature, use of ovulation predictor kits and through certain blood tests or ultrasound.There can be possible adverse effects of the fertility drugs and so the clinic monitors the overall health of the woman.hCG or the human chronic gonadotropin is administered through an injection in order to trigger off the calculated ovulation time.The man provides his semen sample on the morning of ovulation. The semen is then clinically prepared and placed into the uterus by inserting a fine catheter through the cervix.IUI is a painless procedure that does not require any anaesthetic and is always performed in a clinical environment. Probable Complications: In normal cases, there is usually no risk for complications. But is always advisable to know the entire procedure and learn about the probable complications that may or may not arise. It has been noticed that some minor complications are experienced by the woman after IUI is performed. These involve –A feeling of discomfort like crampsA minor injury or bruise in the cervix due to the insertion of the catheterA slight bleeding or spottingAn introduction of infection which even includes sexually transmitted diseases that comes along with the sperm itself. This calls for the careful monitoring of the donor’s health or the frozen sperm specimens, whichever is being used in IUI. Medicine Induced Risks – Complications arise due to the administration of the ovulation triggering medicines like Clomiphene citrate and the Gonadotropin therapy. According to health experts the former involves a comparatively low risk than the later. The drugs actually might result in a complicated condition of hyperstimulation. Proper and expert monitoring of the health of the woman when the drug is administered can effectively reduce and alleviate such complications. Infection –There is a possibility of an infection occurring in the uterus or the fallopian tubes of the woman. This complication arises out of bacterial contamination that has its origin in the semen sample or the contamination might even occur during the IUI procedure. This means that the sterile catheter used is not adequately sterilised or it might also happen when the catheter comes in contact with the vagina and cervix. So if the procedure is cautiously monitored and the vagina and cervix carefully cleaned, such infections can be averted. No Pregnancy –Since IUI is a medical procedure, it needs to be understood that alternate results are possible. Therefore, it might so happen that despite a proper monitoring and careful IUI, the woman does not become pregnant. If pregnancy fails even after three IUIs, a more advanced reproductive therapy like IVF may be recommended by the healthcare provider. If pregnancy fails even after three IUIs, a more advanced reproductive therapy like IVF may be recommended by the healthcare provider. The IUI complications can thereby be addressed effectively.
IUI is a relatively simple procedure which helps in achieving successful conception. IUI procedure can give rise to many complications as there is an introduction of sperm sample into the uterus of the woman. There are also chances of infections. Get to know about IUI complications, read on. Before talking about the complications, it will be helpful if we discuss in brief the process of IUI. In IUI or intrauterine insemination, the sperm is directly planted inside the uterus of the woman during her most fertile period; which is the time when she is ovulating or just prior to her ovulation. Since the objective is to enhance the chances of successful conception, a concentrated solution of sperms that are first washed with medicated solutions is placed inside the fallopian tube for the fertilisation to take place.
How IUI is Done?
- Usually fertility drugs are administered to the woman to trigger the stimulation of her ovaries and ovulation to take place.
- There are various ways to monitor ovulation like charting the basal body temperature, use of ovulation predictor kits and through certain blood tests or ultrasound.
- There can be possible adverse effects of the fertility drugs and so the clinic monitors the overall health of the woman.
- hCG or the human chronic gonadotropin is administered through an injection in order to trigger off the calculated ovulation time.
- The man provides his semen sample on the morning of ovulation. The semen is then clinically prepared and placed into the uterus by inserting a fine catheter through the cervix.
- IUI is a painless procedure that does not require any anaesthetic and is always performed in a clinical environment.
Probable Complications:
In normal cases, there is usually no risk for complications. But is always advisable to know the entire procedure and learn about the probable complications that may or may not arise. It has been noticed that some minor complications are experienced by the woman after IUI is performed. These involve –
- A feeling of discomfort like cramps
- A minor injury or bruise in the cervix due to the insertion of the catheter
- A slight bleeding or spotting
An introduction of infection which even includes sexually transmitted diseases that comes along with the sperm itself. This calls for the careful monitoring of the donor’s health or the frozen sperm specimens, whichever is being used in IUI.
Medicine Induced Risks –
Complications arise due to the administration of the ovulation triggering medicines like Clomiphene citrate and the Gonadotropin therapy. According to health experts the former involves a comparatively low risk than the later. The drugs actually might result in a complicated condition of hyperstimulation. Proper and expert monitoring of the health of the woman when the drug is administered can effectively reduce and alleviate such complications.
Infection –
There is a possibility of an infection occurring in the uterus or the fallopian tubes of the woman. This complication arises out of bacterial contamination that has its origin in the
semen sample or the contamination might even occur during the IUI procedure. This means that the sterile catheter used is not adequately sterilised or it might also happen when the catheter comes in contact with the vagina and cervix. So if the procedure is cautiously monitored and the vagina and cervix carefully cleaned, such infections can be averted.
No Pregnancy –
Since IUI is a medical procedure, it needs to be understood that alternate results are possible. Therefore, it might so happen that despite a proper monitoring and careful IUI, the woman does not become pregnant. If pregnancy fails even after three IUIs, a more advanced reproductive therapy like
IVF may be recommended by the healthcare provider.
If pregnancy fails even after three IUIs, a more advanced reproductive therapy like IVF may be recommended by the healthcare provider. The IUI complications can thereby be addressed effectively.
