Stimulated intrauterine insemination (SIUI) is a fertility treatment that involves stimulating your ovaries to produce eggs and placing prepared sperm inside your uterus around the time of ovulation.
It may be an option for couples where there is:
- cervical mucus hostility
- a mild to moderate sperm problem
- unexplained infertility (some cases)
However, SIUI can only be performed where the sperm is suitable and you have at least one (preferably two) open fallopian tubes.
Injections (gonadotrophins) are used to stimulate egg production in the same way as ovulation induction.
The developing eggs are monitored using ultrasound scans and hormone (oestradiol) assessment. When one or two mature follicles are identified, a further injection (hCG) is given to induce ovulation.
Insemination is performed 24 to 36 hours later. On the day of insemination, your husband/partner produces a semen sample. This is prepared by the embryologist to isolate the best sperm. The sperm are then placed in your uterus by a doctor or nurse using a fine catheter inserted through your cervix.
Stimulated intrauterine insemination is generally a painless procedure, which takes only a few minutes.