How does the insemination cycle work?
From the beginning of the cycle, the doctor monitors the growth of the follicle using ultrasound (if necessary, mild stimulation of ovulation), and when it reaches 18–20 mm, he prescribes an ovulation trigger and the day of the procedure. The partner donates sperm after 2–4 days of abstinence; in the laboratory it is purified from seminal plasma and the most motile sperm are selected (processing 1–2 hours). Then the sperm is introduced by a catheter through the cervix into the uterine cavity, the patient rests for 15–20 minutes and returns to normal life; progesterone support is prescribed. Pregnancy test - after 14 days. Before insemination, confirmation of tubal patency and fresh swabs for infection are required.
Indications
- moderate decrease in sperm counts (subfertility), erectile and ejaculatory disorders in a partner;
- cervical factor of infertility - unfavorable mucus, antisperm antibodies, negative Shuvarsky test;
- infertility of unknown origin, anovulation (with stimulation of ovulation) with patent tubes;
- use of donor sperm (single women, severe male factor);
- Shuvarsky test - for infertility to assess the interaction of sperm and cervical mucus.
Efficiency
Intrauterine insemination is the simplest and most physiological method of assisted reproduction: processed sperm with a concentration of the best motile sperm is injected directly into the uterus at the time of ovulation, bypassing the cervical barrier. The probability of pregnancy per attempt is 10–20% (higher with stimulation of ovulation and age under 35 years), in total for 3–4 cycles - up to 40–50%. Mandatory conditions: patent fallopian tubes and a sufficient number of motile sperm after treatment; if 3–4 attempts fail, IVF is recommended.
