IntraUterine Insemination versus Similar Treatments

As an increased amount of couples experience fertility problems, more individuals are seeking intrauterine insemination and other fertility treatment processes. Intrauterine insemination involves the placing of sperm into a woman’s womb with the use of a catheter during the time of ovulation. Reasons to choose this method of treatment would be if there is there is a blockage that is stopping the sperm from penetrating, low sperm count and motility, or because of ejaculation difficulties or impotence.

Although an intrauterine insemination is a relatively safe procedure, it does carry its share of possible risks. These may include one or more of the following: injury to the cervix, cramping, bleeding, ovarian hyperstimulation and multiple pregnancies, infection and sexually transmitted diseases. It is good to be informed of other existing methods before selecting the fertility treatment.

Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI)

An intracytoplasmic sperm injection is done with the fertility process of in vitro fertilization and involves the injection of only one sperm into the cytoplasm (the inner part of the egg). This type of treatment allows for the possibility of conception, even if there is little and/or poor quality sperm.

With this type of procedure, 70 to 85 percent of the eggs that are injected are fertilized. However, results may vary depending on the physician collecting the sperm and performing the injection, as well as the quality of the eggs, laboratory facility and embryo transferring methods.

Assisted Hatching

This treatment is normally done on the 3rd day of embryo development. An artificial opening is made in the shell of the embryo. This increases the odds of a pregnancy since hard shells on embryos make it more difficult. 

This process imposes the risk of damage to the embryos if the transfer is not performed by an doctor who is highly trained in this field. Some clinics report no improvement with the success rates with this method, and others report a significantly higher success rate. Depending on the hatching technique used and the laboratory, as well as the experience and skills of the physician, results may vary. This is why there are notable differences with many clinics regarding success rates.

In Vitro Fertilization 

In Vitro Fertilization is a fertility treatment process by which the egg cells are mixed with male sperm in a dish for the process of fertilizing many eggs. These fertilized eggs are then placed into the woman’s womb to create a healthy pregnancy. With this fertility process, the eggs are fertilized outside of the uterus.

As a woman ages, there is less chance for success with in vitro fertilization. Women that seem to respond well with fertility medications seem to have a better chance of success. Better quality of eggs equals increases in the likelihood of good embryos, and more chances for conception.

Intrauterine Insemination

This type of fertility treatment does help couples who have difficulties having intercourse because of an injury or disability, or because of premature ejaculation or low sperm count. The woman does need to have her fallopian tubes in good working order.

Success rates do tend to vary between different studies for this procedure. The success rate of intrauterine insemination does depend on the age of the woman and the quality of the eggs. 

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