There are several safe and effective methods of artificial insemination, but choosing the best one for you can be confusing. This article explains and compares some common methods to help you make the best choice.
The two most common and successful methods of artificial insemination are intrauterine insemination (IUI) and intracervical insemination (ICI or vaginal insemination).
We know these acronyms can be confusing, so be careful not to mistake any of the terms above with in-vitro fertilization (IVF). While IVF is another artificial insemination method, it is different in that it involves manually combining an egg and sperm outside of the womb.
Here are some basic differences between these two common methods.
The procedures used for both ICI and IUI are similar in many ways, and both are performed in a physician’s office or health clinic. For best results, insemination is coordinated with a woman’s natural ovulation cycle, or in some cases, medication is used to induce ovulation.
The procedure takes place on an examination table in which the woman is in a position similar to a pelvic exam. A speculum is then placed in the vagina to expose the cervix, and a sperm sample is inserted through the cervical opening using an insemination catheter attached to a syringe.
For IUI, the sample is injected directly into the uterus. For ICI, the sample is injected into the cervix. To create an ideal environment for the sperm to travel, it is generally recommended that the woman remain lying down for 15 – 30 minutes following the procedure.
When preparing sperm for insemination, a woman may use sperm samples that are either “washed” or “unwashed.” Washing sperm involves a procedure in which sperm cells are separated from other parts of a man’s seminal fluid. This helps remove dead and slow moving sperm along with white blood cells and prostaglandins, which sometimes interfere with fertilization.
For the IUI method, sperm must always be washed because the prostaglandins contained in semen cause pain and cramping when inserted directly into the uterus. But since the ICI procedure does not inject sperm directly into the uterus, sperm used for this methods can be either washed or unwashed.
Consult your physician or call the Seattle Sperm Bank at 206-588-1484 to discuss which insemination method is best for you. Either your physician or our experts can offer guidance on the type of sperm appropriate for your procedure, and help you select the right number of vials.
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