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October. 2018
22
The Health
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INTRAUTERINE insemination( IUI), or more commonly known as artificial insemination( AI) is one of the first assisted reproductive technologies typically recommended by a doctor. It is a fairly simple and painless procedure, offered at a lower cost compared to other, more complex fertility treatments. IUI is commonly recommended to women with open and healthy fallopian tubes, when the male partner is experiencing low sperm count or decreased sperm motility, to help those suffering from unexplained infertility, mild to moderate endometriosis and cervical mucus issues.
In addition, IUI may be recommended if treatment with fertility drugs alone is unsuccessful, if a sperm donor is being used or when sexual pain makes intercourse impossible.
However, it is not recommended for those with blocked fallopian tubes, severe endometriosis or previous pelvic infection.
THE PROCEDURE
Jesselton Medical Centre( JMC) Obstetrician & Gynaecologist Dr Sutha Chelliah explained that during the procedure, the husband’ s sperm is processed and the healthiest are concentrated. After which it is directly transferred into the wife’ s uterus with a special catheter.
“ The procedure in IUI would be that the wife takes fertility treatment like clomifene citrate to stimulate the follicular growth. Once the ovarian follicles reach a size of 16 to 18mm, the patient is given an injection to mature and rupture the follicle. During the expected time when the follicle ruptures, the IUI procedure is performed with the sperm which has been prepared,” explainsed Sutha.
HOW LONG DOES AN IUI TREATMENT TAKE?
The insemination itself is straightforward and takes only a few minutes. If one is having a stimulated cycle, then she might need to take fertility medication before ovulating.
SUCCESS RATE
The success rate for IUI is in the range of 10 to 20 per cent. For most women, it takes three to six cycles of IUI before pregnancy occurs. With more cycles of IUI, the chances of a pregnancy is higher.
Sutha pointed out that the technology involved in IUI is a specialised medium to
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The state of the art centre was established in 2009 to be a one stop tertiary medical centre of international standard.
Dr Sutha Chelliah.
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concentrate and nourish the active and healthiest sperms and subsequently centrifuging the sperm sample to again get the best sample.
As for side effects, she explained that the procedure itself does not have any.
“ Generally the side effects are caused by the fertility treatment drugs, which may include mood swings, bloating, abdominal discomfort, hot flushes and headache.”
Compared to other In Vitro Fertilisation( IVF) procedures, an IUI with simple ovulation induction at a private clinic may cost around RM1, 500 – depending on one’ s severity of condition.
IUI SERVICES IN MALAYSIA
“ IUI services in the country can be improved by training more doctors to become more adapt to the procedure. The medium used to process the sperm could be upgraded and methods in preparing the sperm could be enhanced yet simplified,” laments Sudha.
She hoped that there would be more advertisement, reading material, campaigns and forums to educate members of the public on IUI services.
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