IUI (Intrauterine Insemination) is a type of assisted reproductive technology (ART) where the sperm is collected from the male partner and injected into the female partner’s uterus.
IUI is usually recommended for couples with minor infertility issues. In this procedure, the sperm are washed, processed, and the best, high-quality sperm are segregated from the rest.
Fertility doctors have a minimum post-wash sperm count that is necessary for a successful IUI. In this article, we’ll look into how much sperm count is ideal for a successful IUI and how sperm count and motility can impact the IUI success rate.
How Much Sperm Count After Washing is Good for Successful IUI?
According to fertility doctors, a Total Motile Sperm Count (TMSC) of 5 or 10 million and above is an optimal number for a successful IUI. A TMSC of less than 5 million has been considered to decrease the success rate of the IUI cycle.
However, there is no clinical evidence to prove that a low TMSC will decrease the chances of pregnancy. Most fertility doctor believe that IUI success is possible as long as the sperm is of high quality and can reach the egg for fertilization, no matter its total count.
Sperm Count & Motility
A man’s sperm count and motility can usually be assessed when his sperm sample has been sent for a semen analysis. The semen analysis is an important test that must be done before any ART procedure.
This test determines the volume, motility, morphology, and quality of the sperm. This can help doctors determine what types of treatment will be suitable for the couple.
Sperm count (volume) is the number of sperm in a semen sample, and sperm motility (movement) is the number of sperm that can swim normally in the sample.
Identifying sperm count & motility can help decide whether IUI will work for a couple. They can opt for ICSI or IVF if the sperm is not suitable for IUI.
Minimum sperm count for IUI
As discussed above, sperm motility (movement) is one of the parameters that doctors analyze while performing IUI. The sperm’s motility is important because the sperm must be able to swim to the egg once it is injected into the uterus.
The sperm motility rate can be calculated by counting the percentage of sperm that are active and move freely through the semen sample. One characteristic is their long tail that allows them to move around.
How Much is Too Low?
The optimal count preferred for an IUI treatment is 5 million and above. Any count less than this is considered unsuitable for IUI pregnancies. Doctors usually suggest couples with low sperm counts opt for different treatment options like IVF or ICSI to improve their chances of successful pregnancy.
Conclusion
Post-wash sperm count is an important factor that determines the success of an IUI treatment. It ensures that the couple has a maximum chance of pregnancy during their cycles.
If the men have low post-wash sperm count or have low motility sperm, they can always choose fertility treatments like IVF and ICSI. There are always treatment options they can explore other than IUI, so couples don’t have to be discouraged if the male partner has a low sperm count.
The male partner should have a minimum of 5 million or more healthy, motile sperm after the washing and processing. This ensures that the couple has a high chance of success in the treatment. However, having a low sperm count does not indicate IUI failure. Some couples have also been shown to get pregnant with low sperm count.
Your health and your body condition is a very important factor that determines the success of an IUI cycle. Here are some tips you can follow to ensure your IUI cycle is a successful one, and you get pregnant.
- Avoid strenuous exercises
- Maintain a healthy diet
- Avoid unhealthy foods, smoking, and alcohol
- Follow the doctor’s advice without fail
Yes, sperm will be alive for up to 24–72 hours after washing. This is the best time to inject them into the female uterus. A sperm’s quality starts declining 24 hours after washing, so it is best to transfer them as soon as possible.
When sperm are washed, the excess fluid is removed, along with weak or dead sperm cells, bacteria, and other debris. They are also concentrated during the process to make it easier for the most motile sperm to reach the egg after insemination.
