Fertility and Reproductive Health Information

Intrauterine insemination (IUI) is a medical procedure that treats infertility. The process is simple and takes only a few minutes to complete, and is relatively pain-free. During or after the IUI treatment, many women experience mild cramping. This is a common symptom and should go away after a day or two. Cramping after IUI can happen due to a variety of reasons. Some women experience mild cramps as a result of irritation caused by the catheter in the uterus. Another reason can be ovulation. Cramps that occur a few days after the IUI procedure may also signal implantation or that your period is coming. Aside from cramping, many women also report light spotting and vaginal discharge a few days after the procedure. IUI is usually timed so that ovulation takes place shortly after the artificial insemination. This article will explore the common symptoms to expect after IUI, as well as the use of pain relievers, the associated risks, and some post-procedure instructions. What is IUI? IUI is a process that involves injecting washed sperms directly into a woman’s uterus using a catheter with the help of an instrument called a speculum, which is inserted through the vagina. Bringing the best viable sperms near the egg encourage fertilization. IUI is a painless and non-invasive technique that is cheaper than in vitro fertilization (IVF), another method that improves pregnancy success. IUI’s success rate vary based on the cause of infertility, maternal age, and fertility medicine usage. Depending on the reasons for infertility, your doctor may prescribe ovulation-inducing hormones and/or other medications. Every individual will have a unique reaction to the procedure. Women over 40 years old and those who had three failed IUI cycles have a lower likelihood of pregnancy. Fourteen days post-procedure, women should take a pregnancy test to find out whether the treatment took effect. Results collected before the 14-day period are unreliable. Is IUI Treatment Right for You? IUI treatment is a good starting point for couples dealing with issues involving ovulation or unexplained infertility. There are certain conditions, however, where it may not be a suitable treatment option for a couple. IUI can be the right fertility treatment of choice for the following conditions: Unexplained infertility Endometriosis-related infertility Cervical-factor infertility Mild male factor infertility where the partner has a low sperm-count or show abnormalities and weak mobility The woman is without a partner or in a same-sex relationship The male has a genetic defect that can be potentially passed on to the child What’s the IUI Success Rate Like? The success rate of IUI treatment ranges between 8% to 30% per cycle. And, there are a number of factors that can influence these odds, including: The woman’s age General health and lifestyle Underlying infertility concerns Whether or not fertility drugs are used With IUI, timing is crucial. Your doctor pinpoints the exact moment of ovulation will occur. Evidence shows that for women over the age of 40, the success rate tends to decrease significantly. If the woman is still not pregnant after three IUI cycles, the doctor may recommend IVF or In Vitro Fertilization, which is a more costly option. It’s best to discuss your predicted success rate with your doctor to see if IUI is a good fertility treatment option for you. Understanding the Procedure From monitoring ovulation to preparing the semen and determining the optimal timing, IUI involves meticulous coordination. During IUI, your doctor deposits sperms attached to a thin, pin tip-sized catheter directly into your uterus. Many women compare the experience to that of having a Pap smear test. There is no medication or pain reliever required during IUI. After the procedure, you may need to lie on your back for a brief period. In most cases, you can just go about your normal daily activities post-IUI. Symptoms to Expect after IUI Following the IUI treatment, typically, you’ll need to wait two weeks for a follow-up check-up to find out whether or not the procedure was successful. During this waiting period, you may experience the following symptoms: Cramping The majority of women encounter mild uterine cramping during or after an IUI treatment. It is a typical symptom, and in most cases, it should not be a cause of worry. During the procedure, the cramping usually occurs as the catheter is being passed through the cervix, and while the vial of sperm samples is injected. Cramping is also attributed to the following reasons: Catheter Irritation In some cases, the catheter can irritate the woman’s uterus, which can also lead to mild cramping. Ovulation This natural event happens when the ovaries discharge a mature egg. During ovulation, a patient may experience abdominal spasms, which in medical terms, is called a “mittelschmerz.” Taking drugs that prompt ovulation can also cause or aggravate cramps. Ovulation cramping can occur within several minutes to hours. Commonly, it does not last for more than two days. Some women may have intense aching, while others may only have light pain. Cramping from ovulation has no definite cause. However, it is associated with some factors that usually come with ovulation. This includes the stretching of the ovarian follicle and the inflammation of the stomach lining. Implantation Cramping days after the IUI can cue that implantation has happened, and the artificial insemination procedure was a success. Implantation occurs when a fertilized egg clings to the uterine lining. Women experiencing cramping due to implantation describe the sensation as pinching below the belly button. Sharp, abrupt pain in the stomach can also signify implantation. Impending Period Sign Cramps is a common premenstrual syndrome symptom. In case the IUI treatment failed to result in pregnancy, cramping days after the procedure signals that your period is coming. Spotting Mild spotting is another usual symptom following an IUI treatment. The light spotting may be caused by the catheter penetrating the cervix. The light spotting may be caused by the catheter penetrating the cervix. Typically, spotting after the treatment is very light that it is unnoticeable. Unless it persists, spotting after the artificial insemination typically doesn’t pose a serious concern. Just like cramping, spotting may also indicate implantation. One can mistake it for menstruation. The main difference between implantation and period spotting is the color. Discharge from implantation is pinkish to brownish in color instead of bright red as with menstrual blood. Aside from period and implantation, the catheter can cause spotting, too. Vaginal Discharge IUI patients typically encounter vaginal discharge after the treatment. Generally, this should not cause concern because it is a usual reaction of the body. Commonly, patients think of the discharge as sperm leakage, but this is not the case. The vaginal discharge comes from the mucus produced by the cervix. The catheter detaches this substance during treatment, making patients experience a wet sensation. Is It Okay To Take Painkillers? Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can reduce IUI pain. However, doctors approve only a few types of these for IUI patients. Pain relievers may decrease the likelihood of pregnancy and heighten the chance of miscarriage. Hence, patients should avoid any analgesic, if possible. Nonetheless, patients can ask their doctor to prescribe some medicine if the pain is not tolerable. Usually, a doctor may suggest acetaminophen instead of the common NSAIDs like aspirin and ibuprofen. Acetaminophens like Tylenol are a safer alternative for pregnant women and those who are attempting pregnancy. What To Do After IUI The IUI procedure typically lasts for about 10 to 15 minutes only. You may need to lie down for 10 to 20 minutes following the treatment. Here are some tips to consider after undergoing an IUI. Rest Shortly after the procedure, some women can experience dizziness or spasms. Hence, some doctors suggest for a patient to lie down and take a rest for a few minutes. Yet, this is not mandatory, and most patients feel fine after the procedure. Some women expect leakage after IUI, and that is why they remain to lie down for a moment. However, there is no chance of leakage because the cervix is closed. Nevertheless, patients who feel unwell should take the time to rest and recuperate. Resume Normal Activity Generally, IUI should be quick and is a relatively simple and safe procedure. After the procedure, patients can get back to their usual day-to-day routines. However, they should limit physically taxing activities. Restrict Exercise Patients expect pregnancy after IUI. Hence, they should reduce any activity that can cause miscarriage. This includes strenuous workouts like cardio and high-intensity interval training (HIIT). Keep Body Temperature Low Low body temperature is more conducive to implantation. This is also one of the reasons why it's best to avoid engaging in high-impact exercises. Therefore, women should avoid activities that elevate their temperature. For instance, they should avoid taking hot baths or saunas. Also, they should abstain from swimming as soaking in water can elevate the chance of infection. Sex Post-IUI IUI patients can engage in sexual intercourse after the procedure. The notion that sex can cause miscarriage is false. Some doctors even advise intercourse to patients because orgasm impels uterine contraction. This will drive the sperm closer to the egg and heighten the possibility of pregnancy. Most doctors suggest that patients should wait 48 hours post-procedure before engaging in sex. Risks Associated With IUI IUI is a minimally invasive fertility treatment. Thus, serious complications associated with the procedure are low and mostly non-existent. Few risks include the following: Infection The biggest risk of IUI is a vaginal infection. This can happen when bacteria attach to the catheter during treatment, or the semen injected is infectious. A vaginal infection may bring about inflammation, itching, and an unpleasant odor. Cervical Injury IUI can cause an injury of the cervix that can lead to spotting or vaginal bleeding and acute pain. Ovarian Hyper-Stimulation Syndrome (OHSS) In the case of medicated IUI treatment, fertility drugs such as Clomid and Letrozole may lead to hyperovulation marked by pumped-up levels of estrogen This may cause the ovaries to swell, and symptoms include severe abdominal pain, bloating, nausea or vomiting, and breathing issues. Multiple Pregnancy Once again, when coordinated with fertility drugs, IUI significantly increases the risk of becoming pregnant with multiples. Multiple pregnancies are associated with a higher risk of miscarriage, gestational diabetes, low birth weight, premature delivery, and other complications at birth. Final Thoughts IUI is a simple, non-surgical fertility treatment that requires no pain relievers. After the procedure, you will likely be able to go about your usual daily routine. Some women report mild cramps or discomfort and light spotting post-IUI. All these symptoms are normal, and may not occur in all patients. However, if the cramping is severe or is associated with other symptoms, including fever and abnormal vaginal discharge, you should contact your doctor immediately. Overall, the IUI process in itself may not be difficult for the body, but the anxiety that follows can be overwhelming. Hence, you should take the time to rest and allow your body to recover. It's also advised to act like you are pregnant after the procedure. Be sure to talk to your doctor first about any medication you take. This way, if the artificial insemination is a success you get the best possible start for your pregnancy.

Recent Posts