Intrauterine and artificial insemination (IUI and AI) for infertility

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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 .

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.

Credits

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Author	Bets Davis, MFA
Author	Sandy Jocoy, RN
Editor	Kathleen M. Ariss, MS
Associate Editor	Pat Truman, MATC
Primary Medical Reviewer	Sarah Marshall, MD - Family Medicine
Specialist Medical Reviewer	Kirtly Jones, MD - Obstetrics and Gynecology
Last Updated	March 21, 2008

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Last updated:	March 21, 2008
Author:	Sandy Jocoy, RN
Reviewed By:	Sarah Marshall, MD - Family Medicine, Kirtly Jones, MD - Obstetrics and Gynecology
Editors:	Kathleen M. Ariss, MS, Pat Truman, MATC

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