IUI (intrauterine insemination) Lebanon

SUMMARY: IUI (intrauterine insemination) is a non–invasive infertility treatment option that is highly recommended in the cases of unexplained infertility with a positive prognosis of natural conception, a hostile cervical condition or cervical mucus problems that interfere with the sperm’s ability to “enter” the uterus, ejaculation dysfunction. It involves two—staged treatment protocol: (1) pre–treatment screening and testing for both partners, and (2) controlled ovarian stimulation, ovarian response’s dual–“authentication” through blood tests and ultrasound scans, and IUI procedure.

PRICE: IUI (AI) package/intrauterine insemination package with partner’s sperm costs 900 USD. The intrauterine insemination with donated sperm involves two bundles’ synchronization (IUI bundle and donated sperm bundle; sperm donor bundle’s fee is 1000 USD).

BASIC IUI PACKAGE FEE COVERS:

• Initial consultation;
• pre–IUI’s basic screening tests and basic screening blood tests;
• management of the controlled ovarian stimulation protocol (blood tests, ultrasound scans, reviews, consultations);
• insemination with the partner’s sperm or with the donor’s sperm;
• pregnancy test (blood test and urine test);
• early ultrasound scan (if the pregnancy test is positive);
• review consultation with the results obtained from the IUI cycle.

More details about IUI package and IUI cycle.

IUI treatment protocol may involve minimal or mild ovarian stimulation with fertility drugs that is managed by a fertility expert. Starting with minimal stimulation medications and transferring to the mild ovarian stimulation protocol is also possible in one IUI cycle for the cases when the ovarian response to the minimal stimulation is poor.

Before the IUI procedure, the partner’s or husband’s sperm is collected, transferred to the lab, and prepared to be used in IUI. Intrauterine insemination is performed in ultra–“speed mode,” as its time frame varies from 3 to 5 minutes to be completed by the fertility expert.

As any treatment cycle, before intrauterine insemination, several pre–IUI screening tests and blood tests are performed to “navigate” the couple through the most effective treatment option in their case and to “design the case–management roadmap” for the fertility expert.

If there are no Fallopian tubes’ blockage or Fallopian tubes’ disease, pelvic infections, or moderate to severe forms of endometriosis, the IUI cycle can be started.

Controlled ovarian stimulation (labeled as minimal “mode” or mild “mode”) with fertility drugs is started after the positive results of the screening tests are received and discussed with the couple.

Ultrasound scans and blood tests are performed systematically to control the progress of the ovarian response to medications. Ultrasound scans visualize the follicle growth and make it possible to prognose the ovulation timeline with the highest accuracy. The insemination is performed either with the partner’s sperm or donor’s sperm. The pregnancy test is taken on week two after IUI. If the pregnancy test is positive, the early ultrasound scan is done to detect the gestational sac or embryonic heart activity plus blood test is done to measure the levels of the pregnancy hormone hCG for confirming the clinical pregnancy.

STEP 1 | Initial consultation with a fertility expert.

The initial consultation is designed for a transparent discussion of the couple’s medical history and the treatment options that might ideally suit in this case. After the discussion, the pre–treatment screening tests are scheduled for both partners.

STEP 2 | Pre–treatment screening tests.

For women the screening tests involve:

• Pelvic exam;
• screening for sexually transmitted diseases and bacterial vaginosis;
• Pap smear;
• Uterine cavity and fallopian tubes exam.

For men the screening tests involve:

• Semen analysis

For both partners, the blood tests should be also performed before the IUI cycle is started.

STEP 3 | Ovarian stimulation protocol. 

Ovarian stimulation is started at the beginning of a menstrual cycle. The fertility drugs and injectable hormones (gonadotropins) are used to stimulate follicle growth and the oocytes’ maturation. The ovarian stimulation’s time frame is approximately 12 days. Ovarian stimulation is usually termed as “controlled ovarian stimulation” because it is managed by a fertility expert via ultrasound scans and blood tests.

STEP 4 | Sperm preparation. 

IUI technique involves collection, investigation, and preparation of the partner’s or the donor’s sperm for insemination. The sperm sample is collected into a semen collection kit and transferred to the laboratory for investigation and preparation (washing–up). In some cases (including male factor infertility), the donated sperm is prepared for insemination.

STEP 5 | Insemination with the partner’s sperm or with the donor’s sperm.

Intrauterine insemination is painless. It is performed without sedative medications. It might take from 3 to 5 minutes up to 2 hours maximum (in several cases). A tiny flexible catheter is inserted through the cervix, and the already prepared sperm cells are transferred there.

STEP 6 | Pregnancy test.  

The blood pregnancy test is taken approximately in two weeks after IUI. It measures the hCG hormone levels (pregnancy hormone levels), and if they are increased, the pregnancy is confirmed. The Urine pregnancy test can be performed on week four after the intrauterine sperm transfer.

If the pregnancy test is positive (or both pregnancy tests are positive), the early transvaginal ultrasound scan will be scheduled on week 6 or 7. Early transvaginal ultrasound scan detects gestational sac “launching” or/and embryonic heart activity as early as week 6 or week 7 in pregnancy.