IUI (Intrauterine Insemination) is a fertility treatment that many couples prefer as their fertility treatment procedure. It has a high success rate, and the procedure is simple.
The main factor that determines the success of your IUI procedure is the timing of insemination. Insemination is when healthy, motile sperm are injected into the female uterus. This step helps sperm reach the eggs easily for fertilization.
Fertility doctors determine insemination timing based on when your egg follicles will rupture. In this article, we will discuss whether IUI is done before or after follicle rupture. We will also discuss which method has the highest chance of success.
When Is Insemination Done: Before Or After Follicle Rupture?
Insemination is typically done after follicle rupture. Insemination is the most important procedure in IUI. So, your doctors will make sure that there are mature eggs available in your fallopian tubes when the sperm is released into your uterus.
Your doctors will track your ovulation to determine when your follicle will rupture. Whether you undergo a natural cycle IUI or use hormonal injections, your doctors will regularly monitor your follicle development.
When the follicles reach an optimum size, you will be administered hCG injections to induce follicle rupture. It will take 12–24 hours for the eggs to be released after the injection. Insemination around this time can ensure that eggs are available for fertilization.
Single IUI Vs. Double IUI
When insemination is done two times in a single IUI cycle, it is called single and double IUI. Typically, you will be inseminated two times, before the follicle rupture and after the follicle rupture.
This is done for couples who have a very low chance of success. Inseminating two times increases the volume of sperm in the uterus and increases the chances of fertilization.
Below is the step by step process of how a single and double IUI is done.
- Your follicles will be monitored throughout the ovulation cycle.
- When they reach a certain size, you will be administered hCG injections to induce follicle rupture.
- Your first insemination (single IUI) will be performed about 12–24 hours after the injection.
- If the follicles do not rupture during this period, you will undergo another insemination procedure after some time.
- Your follicles will be monitored for another 12–24 hours and your second insemination will be performed.
The Importance Of Timing In IUI Insemination
As we discussed, timing is the main factor that determines IUI’s success. Your doctor needs to time your ovulation and release sperm for fertilization.
Your egg will stay alive for about 24 hours (about 1 day) after it is released from the follicles. This is called the fertility window. The sperm can stay alive in the uterus for about 4–5 days.
Your fertility doctor must take the egg’s and sperm’s lifespan into account while determining the timing of insemination. Doing it too early or too late can impact IUI success.
Conclusion
Your fertility doctor will routinely monitor your follicle development and decide the right time for insemination. Doing it after follicle rupture can increase success rate.
Even if the eggs are not released during insemination, you can undergo double IUI during the same IUI cycle and increase chances of fertilization. So, don’t worry about IUI failure. Your doctor will do all they can to ensure a successful pregnancy. So, stay positive and hope for the best.
You can use an ovulation predictor kit (OPK) to track ovulation at home. These kits measure the Luteinizing Hormone (LH) in your urine. LH levels increase during ovulation. Your kit can identify the surge in LH hormones and indicate ovulation.
Below are some of the most common signs of ovulation.
- Changes in cervical mucus
- Increase in basal body temperature (BBT)
- Mild cramping in the abdomen
- Breast tenderness
Insemination occurs around the 14th day of your IUI cycle. This is the time when your eggs will be mature enough to be released from the follicles.
Consider the day of insemination as day 1. Implantation will occur around day 5 or 6 when the fertilized egg reaches the uterus and implants in it.
