IUI is a less invasive medical procedure that helps couples get pregnant who are struggling with infertility. Fertility experts insert the washed sperm into a woman’s uterus for successful implantation.
So, will the IUI procedure be 100 percent successful? No, there is a possibility of IUI failure even up to 2 to 4 cycles. But, why does it happen? Continue reading the blog to know about some common reasons for IUI and how to improve the success rate of IUI.
Common Reasons for IUI Failure
Various reasons are available for Intrauterine insemination failure, check out them.
Age of the Woman: Age is a crucial factor in determining the success of IUI. It’s because women less than 35 years old can witness a 15 to 20% success rate and women over 40 years could not get any positive results from IUI treatment.
So, if you’re a woman around or above 40 years, then you can choose alternate fertility treatments like IVF.
Poor Egg Quality: Egg quality plays a pivotal role in natural and artificial insemination pregnancy. If the egg quality is poor, then there is a chance for chromosomal abnormalities leading to weak embryos.
Sperm Quality Issues: Similar to egg quality, sperm condition is also essential for successful IUI outcomes. Poor sperm cells mean they can be less motile, have variations in structures, and are not strong enough to reach the fallopian tubes.
Fallopian Tube Blockage: Both egg and sperm meet in the fallopian tube, so a blockage in this tube can affect fertilization and a barrier to pregnancy. Before starting any fertility treatment, you need to undergo surgery to repair the fallopian tubes.
Ovulation Disorders: It means disturbances in the production of an oocyte or ovum (eggs) during women’s menstrual cycle. When there are no or fewer eggs for fertilization then could affect the success rate of IUI.
Endometrial Issues: Endometrium is the uterus’s inner lining and it changes throughout the month along with the menstrual cycle. If this lining is too thin or thick, it can lead to failure of implantation and pregnancy loss.
Timing of the IUI Procedure: Ovulation occurs from 10 to 16 days after the first day of your period. Fertility experts observe your body and fix the right time for IUI sperm insertion that is close to ovulation. So, timing delay can also be the reason for the failure of the IUI procedure.
Hormonal Imbalances: A decrease in pregnancy hormones like Progesterone can be a reason for the failure of IUI and miscarriages.
Diagnosing the Reasons for IUI Failure
Don’t fed up if your first or second IUI cycle fails, because many women experience success after 2nd IUI cycle. Here is a list of diagnosing tests to be considered after IUI failure.
Tests and Evaluations After Failed IUI
For sure, your fertility expert does a list of tests before initiating the IUI process. But, when experiencing IUI failure even after such evaluations, then your body might need deep analysis for underlying issues.
So, doctors do an HSG Hysterosalpingogram test to evaluate the fallopian tubes.
Importance of Monitoring Ovulation
Knowing the fertility window helps to determine the accurate time to get pregnant during the IUI treatment. Missed timing can also be a reason for the failure of the IUI cycle, so monitor the ovulation period keenly and increase the chance of success.
Analyzing Sperm Quality
Sperm quality has equal importance in the success of the IUI procedure. Your fertility expert will analyze pH levels of bases and acids in the semen, sperm concentration, motility, morphology, and semen volume.
This helps to improve the success rate of IUI in the following cycle.
How to Improve the Chances of IUI Success
If you’re willing to increase the IUI treatment success rate, then you need to follow these tips.
Lifestyle Changes
A sedentary lifestyle might be a reason for hormonal imbalances, obesity, infertility, and more. So, changing some lifestyle habits can improve the success of IUI.
Focus on maintaining a proper and balanced diet, and add foods, vegetables, fruits, and fertility expert-recommended items to increase your reproductive health.
Timing the IUI Correctly
Women generally release only one egg per month during their menstrual cycle. Most of the IUI treatments are done one or two days after showing the signs of ovulation.
As a patient, you need to cooperate with the doctors. Visit your fertility doctor on time and continue the follow-ups properly. So that fertility expert can do the procedure at the right time.
Fertility Medications
Fertility medications are pivotal for stimulating ovulation and preparing your body for successful implantation. Ensure to follow the medical prescriptions to improve the IUI’s success.
Optimizing Reproductive Health
Add foods to optimize your reproductive health. It includes lentils, salmon, avocados, sunflower seeds, spinach, leafy green vegetables, walnuts, oysters, berries, sweet potatoes, greek yogurt, pomegranates, and whole grains.
In addition, quit smoking, avoid alcohol and drug intake, and other harmful lifestyle habits that affect your fertility.
What can I do After IUI Failure?
Couples may fed up after ending in IUI failure, but they should not get tired or upset after this stage. It’s because the success rate of IUI increases after 2nd cycle in most of the cases.
Patients can approach fertility experts to know what they can do after the failure of Intrauterine insemination. Try to keep your mind positive and engage in activities that you love. These things can help to pull you out of the emotional challenges of fertility treatments.
Conclusion
The IUI journey could drain you emotionally and physically. So, stay aware of every step while undergoing these treatments. Prioritize communication with your fertility doctor, they can help with the right medicine and valuable guidance.
Don’t expect intrauterine insemination and other artificial treatments to be a bed of roses. Because there is a possibility of success as well as failure with these fertility treatments. Seek professional help, which can help you overcome uncertainties in these treatments.
The timing of ovulation is crucial for the IUI procedure as the treatment gets successful outcomes only if the sperm is injected at the right ovulation time.
Yes, hormonal imbalances could be a reason for IUI failure and the low level of progesterone leads to miscarriage or IUI failure. So, consider taking the prescribed supplements on time and improve the success rate of IUI.
Poor Ovarian Response is a critical condition, where a woman’s ovaries don’t respond to the ovarian stimulation medications. As a result, the number of oocyte production decreases, which affects the probability of pregnancy.
Compared to IVF, the IUI procedure has a lower success rate. However, it is recommended to try 3 cycles of IUI before considering In Vitro Fertilization.
Undoubtedly, the IUI procedure will be emotionally challenging. So, follow these strategies to deal with the failure of IUI or unsuccessful pregnancy.
- Let yourself give time.
- Consult your fertility expert, their assistance will give hope and make the next cycle successful.
- Focus on self-care practices, meditate, and follow mindfulness techniques.
- Never blame yourself, open up with your partner, and spend quality time.
