Video Website powered by Einstein IndustriesThe Fertility Institute of New Orleans

DR. PETER LU: IUI stands for intrauterine insemination. This is a procedure where we take the semen sample and process it in a way to isolate out the most motile and best quality fraction of the sperm. The processing is also needed in order to separate out the sperm from other components in the semen sample, such as enzymes and proteins. This higher quality sperm sample is then concentrated into a very small volume and then directly inserted into the uterus by passing a small catheter into the uterine cavity and injecting this volume of sperm.

IUI is a procedure that is oftentimes used in conjunction with other fertility treatments, such as ovulation induction medications like clomiphene citrate or the more powerful injection fertility medications. Intrauterine insemination is useful for several types of causes of infertility, such as cervical problems where the sperm can't get through the cervix into the uterine cavity and the tubes to meet the eggs, or in cases of mild male infertility where the sperm concentration or motility are slightly abnormal.

Intrauterine insemination is also used when the sperm sample is frozen, such as with donor sperm, or when the sperm is frozen prior to medical treatments, such as chemotherapy. That might render the male infertile in the future.