Collection and preparation of the sperm requires about 90 minutes. The semen is washed away leaving only the sperm suspended in a very small amount of fluid and drawn into a syringe. A small flexible tube is attached and inserted gently through the cervix and into the uterus. The specimen is injected and the patient rests for about 15 minutes.
Sperm from the woman’s partner can be collected before the IUI and prepared for use, or frozen specimens can be used after thawing and washing the sperm. Frozen specimens from a sperm donor can be used.
The schematic drawing at right shows how IUI is done. A speculum (not shown) is inserted into the vagina and the cervix is visualized. The small tube, or catheter, is inserted through the cervix and the prepared sperm sample is injected slowly into the uterine cavity.
To get ready for your IUI, please see our information sheet on Intrauterine Insemination - Information and Instructions for Patients.
