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Why is Artificial Insemination used?
Artificial insemination is a fertility treatment approach in which sperm is sent directly to the cervix or uterus in the hopes of conceiving. These sperm are sometimes cleansed or “processed” to boost the chances of a woman becoming pregnant.
There are two main methods of artificial insemination: intrauterine insemination (IUI) and intracervical insemination (ICI) (ICI). Some women may also use drugs to enhance ovarian follicle development and increase their chances of becoming pregnant.Adolescents can utilize any of the adult contraceptive techniques. Adherence (for example, forgetting to take daily oral contraceptives or discontinuing them entirely—often without replacing another type of birth control) is the most prevalent issue.
The process of Artificial Insemination:
A man’s sperm must travel up the vagina, via the cervix, into the uterus, and into a fallopian tube to fertilize an egg. However, a man’s sperm isn’t always mobile enough to accomplish this journey. Other circumstances, a woman’s cervix may not be conducive to sperm passage into the uterus. Artificial insemination may help a woman conceive in these and other conditions.
A doctor may advise a couple to use artificial insemination:
- if a woman is above the age of 35 and has had unprotected intercourse for six months
- if a woman is under the age of 35 and has had unprotected intercourse for a year
- IUI can help a couple who has healthy sperm and eggs but is unable to have intercourse due to a medical issue such as erectile dysfunction.
- Cervical factor infertility occurs when the cervix either does not generate the mucus that helps sperm get to the womb or contains a chemical that kills the sperm. Artificial insemination can assist in avoiding this issue.
- Endometriosis is a condition in which cells from the uterine lining begin to proliferate outside the womb, such as in the ovaries or the fallopian tubes. In mild to moderate instances of endometriosis, artificial insemination can be effective. Many endometriosis patients can conceive naturally.
- A woman may develop an allergic response to specific proteins in sperm or semen in rare situations. Before administering the sperm, artificial insemination can eliminate the majority of them.
- Some men do not generate enough sperm for effective fertilization, or their sperm is not motile enough. This implies that the sperm cannot efficiently migrate towards the egg.
- Certain medical procedures, such as radiation therapy, carry the risk of infertility.
- A male can preserve some of his sperm before the therapy for future use in artificial insemination.
- There may be no obvious cause of infertility in some couples, yet the doctor may still suggest IUI.
What exactly happens during an IUI?
After preparation, insemination can commence.
During the operation, the fertility specialist uses a small catheter to deposit the sperm straight into the uterus while keeping the vaginal walls open using a speculum. The catheter is inserted into the uterus through the cervix, and the sperm is pushed through the catheter by the doctor.
IUI is usually performed fairly soon after ovulation for the greatest results. Because the ovaries have just recently created eggs, fertility is at its peak at this stage in the menstrual cycle.
Most women ovulate about two weeks following the start of their period.
The Risks
Intrauterine insemination is a reasonably easy and safe treatment with minimal risk of major consequences.
Among the dangers are:
Infection – As a result of the surgery, there is a minor chance of infection.
Spotting – A minor quantity of vaginal bleeding may occur during the catheter placement process. This normally has little influence on the likelihood of conception.
Pregnancy with multiples – IUI is not linked to an increased risk of multiple pregnancies (twins, triplets, or more). However, when combined with ovulation-inducing medicines, the chance of multiple pregnancies skyrockets. Multiple pregnancies have more dangers than a single pregnancy, such as premature labor and low birth weight.
You may experience some (or all) of the following symptoms in early pregnancy:
Teens that participate in hazardous activity are more likely to be sad or less able to cope with adolescent stress. Lower financial position and living in a single parenthood are frequently the result of similar sexual conduct in the parent and may be regarded as acceptable by the kid. Teenagers who grow up in disadvantaged urban neighborhoods where violence and child maltreatment are frequent may believe they are bound to a life of risk-taking. The dangers of early sexual engagement without contraception are widely documented. These children are more likely to have an undesired pregnancy at a younger age, increasing the likelihood that they would drop out and never return to school, restricting them to lower-paying jobs and a future as low-income, single parents themselves. As a result, the cycle frequently repeats itself.
Results
Wait at least two weeks before using an at-home pregnancy test. Testing too soon might result in the following outcome: False-negative. If pregnancy hormones are not yet detectable, the test result may be negative while you are, in fact, pregnant.
False-positive. If you’re using ovulation-inducing medicine like HCG, the drug that’s still circulating in your body might signal a pregnancy when you’re not.
Your doctor may advise you to return two weeks after the findings of your home kit for a blood test, which is more sensitive in identifying pregnancy hormones after fertilization.
If IUI does not work, you may try it again before going on to other reproductive treatments. To increase the odds of pregnancy, the same medication is frequently administered for three to six months.
