Insemination with partner semen (IUI-H)

Patients with unexplained infertility, irregular cycles, mild ovulation disorders and mild male factor infertility have an indication to be treated through intrauterine insemination - IUI-H (IntraUterine Insemination – heterologous).

We use the IUI-H acronym when the procedure is done with sperm from the partner. If we need to use donor sperm, the procedure is designated as IUI-D.

​In cases of severe male factor infertility, the partner's semen can only be used by performing intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), a special technique where one single spermatozoon is injected into each egg collected directly from the ovaries.

While in the ICSI and classic IVF procedures fertilization takes place in the lab, in IUI treatments fertilization occurs inside the woman’s body.

​So, IUI is only possible to perform if at least one of the tubes is patent.

Treatment is usually done with controlled ovarian stimulation, in order to allow us to obtain the right number of mature follicles. Controlling the ovulation is important, as it enables us to perform the insemination at the right time.
An ultrasound scan is performed around day 11 of the cycle to confirm that the development of the follicles is going as planned. Ovulation is triggered according to the size and number of growing follicles and the insemination is performed 2 days after the last injection – our medical and nursing team will guide you through the details of the process.

​Before the planed insemination, the partner delivers a semen sample to be prepared in the laboratory, where we separate the most motile spermatozoa from the rest of the ejaculate.​

​What are the chances of becoming pregnant?

When doing IUI-H, the chances to achieve a pregnancy are 14-20 % per treatment, depending of the age of the woman.

If you have any questions or need more information, please feel free to contact us.