The first phase of an IUI is the development of your eggs, follicles, and uterine lining. This can be done with or without medications but is most often done with medications to help egg development and the increase of conception.

Medications often begin on days 2-4 of your cycle after your consultation.

Blood and ultrasound monitoring will accompany this part of the cycle to help us determine the follicular and lining growth, ensuring an effective treatment.

An IUI is performed as close to your ovulation day as possible. This is best done with ultrasound and blood tests to measure luteinizing hormone followed by a trigger shot.

If anovulatory, it would be necessary to take a trigger shot. Alternatively, the timing of your ovulation can be measured (though not as accurately) with an ovulation predictor kit.

Your IUI procedure will be scheduled 12-36 hours after your trigger injection or with your ovulation predictor kit.

During the procedure, the catheter (loaded with concentrated sperm) will be slid past the cervix and into the uterus.

The sperm is then injected into the uterine cavity and the catheter is removed. This procedure only takes a few minutes and doesn’t require any type of anesthesia.

While the procedure is generally well-tolerated, it’s important to note that some individuals may experience mild cramping, which is a normal response to the process.

Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OVHSS) is a response to excess hormones-based medications. It will usually occur in women taking injectable hormone medications to stimulate the development of eggs in the ovaries but it could happen with oral medications as well. This syndrome can cause ovarian swelling, nausea, and can lead to more serious risks. That said, OVHSS, especially a serious case of ovarian hyperstimulation is incredibly rare with IUI. At Generation Next Fertility, we do everything in our power to help mitigate the risk.

When undertaking a medicated IUI cycle, it’s important to be aware that there is a chance the body may develop and ovulate multiple mature eggs. This potential for multiple mature eggs increases the risk of twin or even higher order pregnancies, a phenomenon known as multiple gestation.  We often find that appropriately dosed oral medications are especially effective for younger women, those with high AMHs, and those with PCOS, helping to significantly reduce the likelihood of both a multiple gestation and the need to cancel or convert the cycle.