In IUI (intrauterine insemination) is a common infertility procedure performed by a RE or OB/GYN and is scheduled for women with PCOS (and women with other fertility issues) after a heavily medicated cycle (Clomid/Femara and injectable medications). Tests are performed prior to the IUI to insure the patient has at least one, if not more, mature follicles (ultrasounds and estradiol levels as mentioned in the previous posts). The IUI is often used when a patient has clearly had mature follicles but still is unable to get pregnant. It is a good way to “bypass” a hostile inner environment and/or hostile cervical mucus.

Prior to the procedure, your husband will be instructed to visit the lab and provide a semen sample. The lab will then take this sample and put it through the “washing” protocol. After the semen is washed, it is brougt to your exam room. The doctor starts with inserting a speculum, just like in your annual exam. Then using water or a sperm friendly lubricant like PreSeed, the doctor inserts a very thin and flexible catheter in the cervix. Washed sperm is then injected through that catheter and into the uterus. IUI’s are usually performed around 24 hours after your HCG trigger injection, prior to ovulation, so that the sperm are in the uterus, waiting for the egg. The process is actually quite short, maybe only a few minutes from start to finish.

Source: http://www.fertilityplus.org/faq/iui.html

IUI’s are not usually painful, you may experience some slight cramping (similar to the cramping felt during your period) both during and after the procedure. The only other discomfort most comment on is the discomfort of the speculum.

After the procedure is completed, you will be instructed to lay flat on the exam table for 20-30 minute then you are given the ok to leave. Most doctors suggest you go home and rest for the remainder of the day, and it is a good idea. One of the most common questions is “will I have to lay down the rest of the day? Won’t “it” leak out?” The answer is NO. The semen will not “leak” out because your cervix is completely closed.

Some doctors will suggest you have intercourse following an IUI to insure you timed it correctly, and that there are some sperm there waiting for the egg. If your husbands sperm count is good, you can have intercourse every other day during your fertile period, and this, in theory, increases your chances of conception because you are insuring that one of those little guys catches that egg !!

Just like any other cycle, you will be able to test for pregnancy 2 weeks after your ovulation date.
IUI’s are not the same as IVF. IVF is a very aggressive infertility procedure often performed when the previously mentioned protocols have not worked, or when suggested by an OB/GYN or RE if pre-existing conditions exist.

An IUI is just another addition to the already detailed and busy medical protocol used to help women with PCOS conceive.