Intrauterine insemination (IUI) with processed sperm

Insemination is the simplest form of artificial fertilisation. It may help when the sperm quality is mildly to moderately reduced and when the sperm cells fail to move properly forward in the cervical mucus.

Depending on the situation, an insemination can be carried out during the woman’s spontaneous cycle or after mild stimulation.

Around the time of ovulation, the man is asked to provide a semen sample. The ejaculate is processed to filter out the sperm cells with good motility. They are enriched in 0.5 ml of a culture medium and injected directly into the uterine cavity through a soft, thin plastic catheter. In this way, the sperm cells with good motility are brought closer to the egg cell and the distance they have to travel is significantly shorter than in the natural situation.

Most pregnancies occur during the first 3-4 treatment cycles. The success rate mainly depends on the man’s sperm quality and the woman’s age and varies between 5 and 15% per treatment cycle.