Intrauterine and artificial insemination (IUI and AI) for infertility
Intrauterine insemination (IUI) is the flushing of specially washed sperm through a thin flexible tube (catheter) directly into the uterus.
Artificial insemination (AI) is the placement of sperm into a woman's cervix or vagina. The sperm then travel into the uterus and fallopian tubes, where they may fertilize an egg.
See an illustration of the female reproductive system
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Insemination procedures:
- Can be done with sperm from the male partner or a donor.
- Are conducted during the most fertile part of a woman's cycle (ovulation).
- Can be combined with superovulation (medication or hormone treatment that promotes multiple egg production) to increase the chances of conception.
- Do not require surgery.
Insemination procedures can improve your chances of conceiving a pregnancy, especially when combined with superovulation treatment.
| Author: | Shannon Erstad, MBA/MPH Carrie Henley | Last Updated: August 16, 2006 |
| Medical Review: | Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine Joy Melnikow, MD, MPH - Family Medicine Kirtly Jones, MD - Obstetrics and Gynecology Femi Olatunbosun, MB, FRCSC - Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Medicine | |
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