Artificial insemination (AI) is a process whereby ejaculated sperm is processed and then deposited directly into the woman’s uterine cavity, vagina, or cervix. The method of artificial insemination that Dr. Barnett and Dr. Ku perform at Dallas IVF in Plano near Allen is intrauterine insemination (IUI). During this procedure, Dr. Barnett or Dr. Ku place the processed sperm directly into the uterine cavity at the time of ovulation. Often, IUI is combined with fertility drugs administered at our Plano practice to increase the chance of conceiving. If severe male factor infertility is an issue, couples are encouraged to undergo intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) at Dallas IVF near McKinney in conjunction with an in vitro fertilization (IVF) cycle.
The uterine cervix acts as the principle filter for sperm during intercourse and less than one percent of the sperm is naturally able to migrate up through the uterus and into the fallopian tube where natural fertilization occurs. With IUI, the cervix is bypassed and a small volume of highly concentrated sperm is placed directly into the uterine cavity, thereby increasing the chances of success to a much higher rate than can be accomplished with natural intercourse or intracervical inseminations during treatment cycles.
Intrauterine insemination is commonly performed in association with various monitored treatment cycles with fertility drugs at Dallas IVF (clomiphene citrate cycle, gonadotropin ovulation induction or superovulation cycle) for women with a variety of infertility issues.
IUI is a very common infertility treatment used to overcome a wide range of infertility problems, including those women with endometriosis, ovulatory dysfunction and couples experiencing a mild male factor. Couples who have inadequate penetration during intercourse also may choose to undergo IUI treatment. Based upon your individual clinical history and diagnostic tests, Dr. Barnett or Dr. Ku may recommend IUI in conjunction with fertility drugs such as Clomid® cycles or gonadotropin therapy. For couples experiencing a severe male factor, our physicians will recommend IVF with intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) at his facility near McKinney due to their unlikely chance of success with artificial insemination. Dallas IVF in Plano near Allen has achieved outstanding pregnancy rates through both artificial insemination, and ICSI with in vitro fertilization.
Dr. Ku and Dr. Barnett monitors patients throughout treatment cycles when IUI is performed to improve the couple’s chances of conceiving. Transvaginal ultrasounds are used to monitor follicular/egg growth and when the eggs are of a mature size, the female patient is prescribed human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG, Profasi®, Ovidrel®) to induce ovulation. The inseminations are then timed with the woman’s ovulation.
Intrauterine insemination is a relatively simple and painless procedure. The couple is asked to deliver a specimen to the lab about one hour prior to the scheduled procedure. Once the specimen is processed, the woman is taken to an examination room, undresses, and is placed in a position similar to that which is required during a pap smear. Next, a speculum is placed in the vagina and the cervix is then cleansed. The insemination catheter, which is very thin, is then placed though the cervix and into the uterine cavity. The entire artificial insemination process only takes a few minutes to complete. After the insemination, the woman can dress and resume normal activities.
Contact Dr. Brian D. Barnett or Dr. Lowell T. Ku today if you are having trouble conceiving. Dr. Barnett and Dr. Ku offer artificial insemination, IVF, ICSI and treatment with fertility drugs at Dallas IVF located in Plano. We care for patients from Allen to McKinney to the Frisco area as well as couples from around the Greater Dallas area. Other infertility treatment services such as in vitro fertilization and endoscopic reproductive surgeries are also available at Dallas IVF.
Brian D. Barnett, MD
Lowell T. Ku, MD
Presbyterian Hospital of Plano
MOB 3, Suite 334
6124 West Parker Road
Plano, Texas 75093
Phone: (972) 981-8700
Fax: (972) 981-8708
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Contact Dr. Ku or Dr. Barnett today for more information about artificial insemination, fertility drugs and ICSI at their Plano practice serving Dallas, Allen, and McKinney