If you have been unable to get pregnant after a year of trying, you’re not alone because infertility is experienced by as many as 1 in 6 people. There are many possible causes of infertility, and determining the underlying cause is the best way to find an effective fertility treatment for you. Artificial insemination, which is also called intrauterine insemination, is one of the most common fertility treatments and there are several advantages of artificial insemination.
Simple Noninvasive Procedure
One of the biggest advantages of artificial insemination is that it’s a simple, noninvasive procedure. To improve your chance of success, artificial insemination may be combined with medication to stimulate ovulation before the procedure is done. It’s an outpatient procedure that’s painless and only takes a few minutes. You won’t need anesthesia and it’s a form of treatment that most closely resembles natural conception.
After the procedure, you may lie on your back for approximately 30 minutes and then you’re able to go home. Two weeks after the procedure, you take a pregnancy test. If you’re not pregnant, the procedure can be repeated.
Sperm is Treated to Help Achieve Better Results
Natural conception requires the sperm to travel from the vagina and through the cervix to the uterus. When an egg is released, the sperm and egg travel to the fallopian tube, which is where fertilization happens.
Artificial insemination gives you a greater chance of attaining pregnancy because the sperm is washed and treated so that only the highest quality sperm is used. It’s inserted directly into the uterus, which means the sperm travels a much shorter distance. The sperm that’s used can be from your partner or from a donor.
Low Cost
Artificial insemination requires fewer visits than other forms of fertility treatment such as in vitro fertilization. You don’t need an operating room, which helps to reduce the cost. Since there isn’t as much involved in this form of treatment, the cost of artificial insemination is low compared to other types of fertility treatment.
Determining the Best Fertility Treatment
Choosing a fertility treatment starts with a thorough medical exam and family medical history for both you and your partner, which may include blood work and diagnostic testing. This may help to pinpoint the cause of your fertility challenges. Infertility is sometimes related to problems with the woman’s reproductive system while other times there are male-related problems or problems with both the man and the woman.
Artificial insemination may be worth trying if the cause of infertility is unexplained. It may also be a good choice for women whose fertility issues are related to the cervix, particularly thick cervical mucous. It may also be a good choice if your partner has low sperm count. This procedure also gives single women and LGBQT couples the opportunity to conceive a child.
The Center for Reproductive Studies has helped many women to achieve a successful pregnancy using artificial insemination and other forms of assisted reproductive technology. Call today with any questions you may have or to schedule an appointment.
