Intrauterine insemination (IUI) is not considered an ART procedure because it does not involve the manipulation of eggs (CDC).

It is often the first and the easiest type of fertility treatment attempted by couples.
The main interest for the use of IUI is that it bypasses the cervical mucus barrier and increases spermatozoa density at the site of fertilization.

People who benefit from IUI mainly include :
- Couples with no known cause of infertility
- Women with cervical mucus problems, mild endometriosis (with normal or subnormal sperm)
- Women using donor semen
- Women with ovulatory disorders who respond well to fertility medication (with normal or subnormal sperm).

**Artificial insemination should not be used in women with blocked fallopian tubes

Natural cycle versus ovarian stimulation
The rationale behind the use of ovarian stimulation in IUI is to increase the number of oocytes avaible for fertilization and to correct ovulatory disfunction.

Treatments "HMG/HCG" or "FSH/HCG" are currently used . Then the practician Monitors the response by ultrasound scans and blood tests (Estradiol - LH, Progesterone..if needed.)

Sperm selection

Washing procedures are necessary to remove prostaglandins, infectious agents and antigenic proteins and also non motile spermatozoa, leucocytes, debris, immature germ cells.

Main procedures :

> Simple Sperm Wash by "dilution-centrifugation"

> Swim Up Technique

> Density Gradient Sperm Wash

Intra uterine insemination is a simple procedure that does not require anaesthesia. It may be done between 34 and 37 hours after ovulation triggering by HCG injection.

If no pregnancy is achieved after three or four IUI's, practician may recommend more advanced reproductive therapies such as IVF.

IUI : Main risks
> Multiple pregnancy
> (Infection)

IUI success rate : 8-15 % per cycle. May vary with woman's and man's parameters ( indication, age, sperm quality...)