Publication:

Factors affecting success of intrauterine insemination: a 3 year prospective study

Background Intrauterine insemination (IUI) is the therapeutic process of placing washed spermatozoa transcervically into the uterine cavity for the treatment of infertility. The aim of this study is to analyze the variables that contribute to the success of stimulated IUI cycles. A prospective study was done to identify the most important parameters with regard to IUI success that would provide important data for predicting the success of therapy and further help in planning sub fertility treatment for couples.

Methods This prospective analytical study was done at KJK Fertility Research and Gynaec Centre, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala over a period of 3 years from June 2012 to June 2015 in 3851 stimulated IUI cycles.

Results The overall pregnancy rate was 15.2%. Among the predictive factors evaluated, the infertility diagnosis (PCO and male factor, p value <0.001), the post wash semen count (5-10 million, p value <0.001), type of IUI (double IUI over single IUI, p value <0.001) and the endometrial thickness on the day of trigger (9-10mm, χ2 =551.59 df =5 p<0.001) significantly influenced the pregnancy rate.

Conclusions IUI is a successful contemporary treatment for appropriately selected cases of PCO and male factor infertility, especially when female age is <35 years.