The risks with IUI are relatively low as IUI is a simple procedure. Some common risks associated with IUI are due to infertility drugs used in the procedure. Risk of contracting infections from donor sperms is relatively rare. Read on to know about the risks caused due to IUI procedure. IUI is one of the ART (Assisted Reproductive Technology) procedures that are considered to be least invasive. This naturally follows that the amount of risks involved for the patients is also relatively low. When a woman considers IUI in order to get pregnant she is likely to get exposed to risks that can originate from infertility drugs that are administered during the IUI procedure. This means that the harm does not come from the intrauterine insemination procedure itself. Couples are actually suggested to hold a thorough discussion with their fertility doctor about the risks and the potential side effects of the infertility drugs. It is necessary to monitor all fertility treatments that are made to work with the aid of drugs or through any other procedure. This can effectively reduce the chances of probable side effects. Under certain situations, the physician at the fertility clinic might suggest a combination of the IUI procedure along with the woman’s usual ovulation cycle which can actually work without the intake of drugs altogether. In this articleThe Probable Risks in BriefRisks Related to Sperm DonorRisks from Ovarian Hyper-StimulationOther IUI Side EffectsThe Probable Risks in Brief The risks in IUI procedure itself are as follows: The IUI procedure involves the passing of a thin catheter through the cervix into the uterus. This is basically used for the transportation of the sperm directly into the uterine cavity. Some patients are found to experience mild pain during this procedure. The most dangerous risk that the IUI procedure might incur is the acute discomfort and/or minor injury in the cervical area. This can culminate in cramping, spotting and bleeding post the entire procedure. Although medically this is not considered to be a major issue and doctors advise the patients to lie down for sometime after the procedure is over so as to reduce the chances or aggravation of the above mentioned symptoms. Risks Related to Sperm Donor When the sperm is made to enter the body of the woman she becomes exposed to sexually transmitted diseases and other varied infections that the sperm might be carrying. However, this does not come across as a major risk as all professional IUI clinics have a mandatory sperm wash procedure before using the sperm for the IUI. If the woman has any doubt or fear she can always make the IUI doctors aware of them so that the sperm donor is made to undergo a thorough health check up, if he is unknown to the woman or is not her husband or partner. This is the reason why it is never advisable to attempt an IUI procedure at any place other than a registered clinic. Risks from Ovarian Hyper-Stimulation This risk is associated with the fertility drugs administered during IUI. Clomid or Clomiphene Citrate is a common ovulation inducing drug prescribed by doctors to ‘hyper stimulate’ the ovaries. This basically causes the development of over twenty follicles in the ovaries at a single go. As a result the estrogen levels in the body gets pumped up leading to the enlargement of the ovaries leading to severe abdominal pain due to swelling. The other accompanied symptoms are difficulty in breathing, nausea and vomiting. In acute cases, hyper-stimulation of the ovaries can be fatal. This condition can also occur with HCG or Gonadotropin Therapy. Other IUI Side Effects The other side effects that can follow from drugs like Clomid are: Abdominal discomfort and painHot flushesDigestive problemsHeadachePain in the breastsMenstrual irregularities The other serious risks involve the impact the drug have on the quality of the cervical mucus which becomes hostile to sperm and result in complications during the IUI. It tends to become thickened and dried up, thereby blocking the entrance of the sperm into the uterus. Doctors usually prescribe estrogen supplements in order to treat these mucus problems.
The risks with IUI are relatively low as IUI is a simple procedure. Some common risks associated with IUI are due to infertility drugs used in the procedure. Risk of contracting infections from donor sperms is relatively rare. Read on to know about the risks caused due to IUI procedure. IUI is one of the ART (Assisted Reproductive Technology) procedures that are considered to be least invasive. This naturally follows that the amount of risks involved for the patients is also relatively low. When a woman considers IUI in order to get pregnant she is likely to get exposed to risks that can originate from infertility drugs that are administered during the IUI procedure. This means that the harm does not come from the intrauterine insemination procedure itself.
Couples are actually suggested to hold a thorough discussion with their fertility doctor about the risks and the potential side effects of the infertility drugs. It is necessary to monitor all fertility treatments that are made to work with the aid of drugs or through any other procedure. This can effectively reduce the chances of probable side effects. Under certain situations, the physician at the fertility clinic might suggest a combination of the IUI procedure along with the woman’s usual ovulation cycle which can actually work without the intake of drugs altogether.
The Probable Risks in Brief
The risks in IUI procedure itself are as follows:
The IUI procedure involves the passing of a thin catheter through the cervix into the uterus. This is basically used for the transportation of the sperm directly into the uterine cavity. Some patients are found to experience mild pain during this procedure. The most dangerous risk that the IUI procedure might incur is the acute discomfort and/or minor injury in the cervical area. This can culminate in cramping, spotting and bleeding post the entire procedure. Although medically this is not considered to be a major issue and doctors advise the patients to lie down for sometime after the procedure is over so as to reduce the chances or aggravation of the above mentioned symptoms.
When the sperm is made to enter the body of the woman she becomes exposed to sexually transmitted diseases and other varied infections that the sperm might be carrying. However, this does not come across as a major risk as all professional IUI clinics have a mandatory sperm wash procedure before using the sperm for the IUI. If the woman has any doubt or fear she can always make the IUI doctors aware of them so that the sperm donor is made to undergo a thorough health check up, if he is unknown to the woman or is not her husband or partner. This is the reason why it is never advisable to attempt an IUI procedure at any place other than a registered clinic.
Risks from Ovarian Hyper-Stimulation
This risk is associated with the fertility drugs administered during IUI. Clomid or Clomiphene Citrate is a common ovulation inducing drug prescribed by doctors to ‘hyper stimulate’ the ovaries. This basically causes the development of over twenty follicles in the ovaries at a single go. As a result the estrogen levels in the body gets pumped up leading to the enlargement of the ovaries leading to severe abdominal pain due to swelling. The other accompanied symptoms are difficulty in breathing, nausea and vomiting. In acute cases, hyper-stimulation of the ovaries can be fatal. This condition can also occur with HCG or Gonadotropin Therapy.
Other IUI Side Effects
The other side effects that can follow from drugs like Clomid are:
- Abdominal discomfort and pain
- Hot flushes
- Digestive problems
- Headache
- Pain in the breasts
- Menstrual irregularities
The other serious risks involve the impact the drug have on the quality of the cervical mucus which becomes hostile to sperm and result in complications during the IUI. It tends to become thickened and dried up, thereby blocking the entrance of the sperm into the uterus. Doctors usually prescribe estrogen supplements in order to treat these mucus problems.
