Individuals or couples in the Austin, Texas area who are experiencing infertility often seek treatment to help them find relief from this frustrating condition. Those suffering from infertility may have difficulty getting pregnant after a year of unprotected sex, or six months if over the age of 35. Fortunately, however, there are proven treatments that have helped many couples reach their goals of conceiving when infertility may have otherwise stood in their way. With a variety of treatments and procedures available, it is important to discuss one's options with a trained fertility specialist in the area.

Intrauterine insemination (IUI), or artificial insemination as it is also called, is a procedure in which the woman is injected with specially prepared sperm, which are injected directly into the woman's uterus. This occurs the day after an egg is released by the ovaries. The idea behind this procedure is that the sperm may swim into the fallopian tubes where they may fertilize the egg, allowing the woman to become pregnant. Some may recommend fertility medication to stimulate the production of eggs or to stimulate ovulation before the procedure is performed. If fertility medication is not used, the procedure will be coordinated with the woman's natural menstrual cycle.

Those considered candidates for artificial insemination or intrauterine insemination include those experiencing male factor infertility, cervical factor infertility, women who are using donor sperm, those with a rare allergy to semen as well as those experiencing unexplained causes of infertility. Of course, women who have blocked or damaged fallopian tubes may be encouraged to seek other forms of treatment and consult a fertility specialist in the Austin area for further information.

As with many other medical procedures, there are certain risks associated with intrauterine insemination that patients should be aware of. Possible risks include infection resulting from the procedure, minor cramping following the procedure and multiple pregnancies. When fertility drugs are used, there may be side effects associated with these including nausea.

To answer the question posed in the title, the success rate associated with this procedure is around 10% for women who are under the age of 35. If injectable fertility drugs are used, the success rate may rise to about 15% to 20%, although this may vary. Women who are under the age of 35 have a lower success rate in many cases. It is very important to discuss one's own candidacy as well as possible chances of success with a fertility specialist in the Austin area before deciding to undergo this treatment. Insurance may cover the cost of intrauterine insemination to an extent. A session of this procedure may cost patients around $300 to $800 depending on at which clinic they receive treatment.

Learn more about intrauterine insemination in Austin, Texas.