IUI Treatment: Couples who are unable to conceive naturally may opt for intrauterine insemination . If you’ve been trying to get pregnant for a while and haven’t been successful, you can try intrauterine insemination. Before you decide whether this procedure will help you or not, understand the side effects and risks associated with this treatment.
No surgery is required for the IUI procedure. In this, ovulation is encouraged with the help of fertility drugs . The doctor can then place specially prepared sperm directly into your uterus through the cervix, close to your normal ovulation time. This process helps the sperm move easily to the egg cell. The sperm sample can also come from your partner or a third donor.
Women who have opted for intrauterine insemination have experienced fewer side effects from the procedure and the pain involved in the treatment is minimal. If you still have some apprehensions regarding the process, it is always better to discuss your doubts in detail with a doctor for proper guidance and clarification.
Side Effects of Intrauterine Insemination
However, all medical procedures usually have some side effects. Intrauterine insemination can also have some side effects, but they are mostly considered minor.
In some cases, the doctor may prescribe fertility drugs to increase the success rate of the procedure. Fertility drugs stimulate hyperovulation in which the ovaries release too many eggs. Most IUI side effects are caused by the fertility drugs, not the procedure itself.
However, the side effects caused by fertility drugs are usually mild and go away after discontinuing the drug. At the same time, some side effects of IUI fertility treatment can also be like this:
- mild abdominal pain or cramping
- spotting (light bleeding) for a few days
- hot flash
- Headache
- nausea
- depression and mood swings
- trouble seeing
- painful swollen ovary
- breast pain
- Swelling
- Pelvis problem
- ovarian cyst
- rash or mild swelling at the injection site
- Side effects of IUI on the baby include multiple pregnancy
In some rare cases, the side effects of IUI treatment can be serious such as difficulty in breathing, dark urine, severe cramps, sudden weight gain. In this case, talk to your doctor immediately.
What are the risks after IUI and fertility treatment?
There are certain complications that may arise after undergoing IUI or other fertility treatments, which are listed below.
1. Risk of having more than one child
Twin or multiple pregnancy after IUI treatment is very rare, but it can happen. Getting pregnant with more than one child is considered a side effect of the fertility drugs taken during IUI treatment. Multiple pregnancies can increase the risk of miscarriage , premature delivery , gestational diabetes , low birth weight, pre-eclampsia (high blood pressure), complications at birth, etc.
2. Risk of Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome (OHSS)
You may develop Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome from the use of fertility drugs used for IUI treatment. Common fertility drugs such as Clomid and Letrozole are given before an IUI cycle to increase ovulation so that the ovaries produce more than twenty follicles at a time. Hyper ovulation can increase the level of estrogen in the body, which can cause inflammation in the ovaries. Due to the enlarged ovary, you may have bloating, severe abdominal pain, vomiting or nausea, and difficulty in breathing.
3. Risk of infection
The risk of infection is slightly increased during the IUI procedure as the sperm is inserted through the cervix into the uterine cavity with the help of a thin tube. Some women may experience pain or cramping during this time. But during this process of insertion, there is an increased chance of injury to your cervix which can lead to severe pain, heavy bleeding. Therefore, doctors recommend taking rest for some time after the procedure to reduce the chances of any complications occurring.
Intrauterine insemination is a simple procedure and is considered one of the least risky methods. There are very few side effects associated with this procedure. Most side effects of IUI treatment usually subside over time or go away once fertility drugs are discontinued.
