Overview of IUI

Intrauterine Insemination (IUI) is a fertility treatment that involves placing sperm inside a woman’s uterus to facilitate fertilization. The goal of IUI is to increase the number of sperm that can reach the Fallopian tubes and subsequently increase the chance of fertilization. IUI provides the sperm an advantage by giving it a head start, but still requires a sperm to reach and fertilize the egg on its own. It is less invasive and less expensive option compared to IVF.

The most common reason for IUI maybe a low sperm count or decreased sperm motility. However IUI may be selected as a fertility treatment for any of the following conditions:

Unexplained infertility (read more)
A hostile cervical condition, including cervical mucus problems
Same sex couples
Donor sperm conception
Cervical scar tissue from past procedures which may hinder the sperms ability to enter the uterus
Ejaculation dysfunction
Closed cervix

Factors Effecting Egg Quality

Blood flow to the ovary can be compromise through stress which is a factor to just about everything or age. As we age blood flow to our reproductive organs is reduce. Not providing the nourishment needed for a healthy egg. Blood flow, nourishment and hormones within the body influence the health of the follicles.

Poor diet begins to show its effects the older a woman becomes. If nourishment is poor, hormonal cues have been interrupted, or if the blood flow has been compromised the egg has less chance of being healthy. Acupuncture, massage, pplements and herbs can all help to nourish the existing eggs.

IUI Is Not Recommended for the Following Patients

Women who have severe disease of the fallopian tubes. Women with a history of pelvic infections or with moderate to severe endometriosis. It is also not advisable to carry out too many IUI treatments. If this is the case further investigation may be needed.

Overview Of IVF

The procedure begins in the month preceding the actual ART cycle. An IVF cycle typically includes the following steps or procedures:

Medication to grow multiple eggs
Retrieval of eggs from the ovary or ovaries
Insemination of eggs with sperm
Culture of any resulting fertilized eggs (embryos)
Placement (transfer) of one or more embryos into the uterus
Support the uterine lining with hormones to permit and sustain pregnancy

The success of IVF largely depends on growing multiple eggs at once and selecting the best eggs for implantation. While my explanation above is simple, the process is very complicated.

Who May Be a Candidate for IVF

It is generally recommended for couples who have failed to conceive after at least one year or more of trying

Blocked Fallopian tubes or pelvic adhesion's with distorted pelvic anatomy,
Male factor infertility (low sperm count or low motility
History of multiple failed ovarian stimulation with IUI
Advanced female age
Reduce ovarian reserve which means lower quantity and quality of eggs
Severe endometriosis
Unexplained infertility
Special circumstances such as hereditary
Now days stress is a major factor

Oriental Medicine and Acupuncture Can Improve IVF / IUI Outcome