Intrauterine insemination (IUI) is a fertility treatment that involves the injection of sperm directly into the uterus to increase the chance of conception. IUI is a highly successful solution for individuals struggling with a wide range of fertility problems.
While IUI can be successful on its own, the results are even more promising when combined with ovarian stimulation.
Ovarian stimulation relies on fertility drugs, such as Clomid®, to promote the release of multiple mature follicles.
The fertility specialists at CCRM Fertility can help patients around the country with our network of fertility clinics understand how the use of Clomid for IUI treatment can give them an even greater chance of conceiving.
IUI Treatment
IUI is a minimally invasive fertility treatment with various applications. Because this technique can address so many fertility problems, it is widely used. During IUI treatment, a semen sample is collected and washed. The washing process separates sperm from seminal fluid allowing a concentrated collection of healthy, motile sperm.
Washed sperm is inserted directly into the female patient’s uterus via a long, thin catheter. The catheter is passed through the vagina in a procedure that is very similar to a pelvic exam. The procedure is virtually pain-free and over in a matter of minutes. IUI treatment is timed to align with ovulation, so that sperm have a chance to fertilize the released egg.
Clomid for Ovarian Stimulation
On its own, IUI increases the chance of conception for our fertility patients by concentrating the sperm that reaches the uterus, and by greatly decreasing the distance that sperm needs to travel to reach the egg. To increase the chance of IUI success even further, we often recommend that IUI is performed alongside ovarian stimulation. Ovarian stimulation promotes the production of multiple mature follicles so that a woman releases more than one egg during ovulation.
Clomid is a fertility medication that is commonly used for ovarian stimulation. Clomid is a form of clomiphene citrate. This fertility drug is taken orally. Most often, the drug is administered for five days straight – either between days three and seven of the menstrual cycle, or between days five and nine of the menstrual cycle. Clomid blocks estrogen receptors and stimulates the release of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH), so that multiple mature follicles are produced.
Clomid benefits IUI patients because it causes women to release multiple eggs at ovulation, rather than the one that is typically released during a menstrual cycle. The more eggs that are released, the more likely it is that sperm will be able to successfully fertilize one of them.
Clomid Side Effects
Many fertility patients prefer Clomid because it is safe and is taken orally rather than through injection. While Clomid should not cause any significant discomfort, patients should be aware that it may cause minor side effects. Potential Clomid side effects include:
- Headaches
- Hot flashes
- Mood swings
- Breast tenderness
- Bloating
- Nausea
- Ovarian cysts
- Blurred vision
