He’s tired and frustrated with two-week waiting periods and endless questions from his mother-in-law. You and your spouse want children more than these nosy relatives would realize, but things just aren’t happening.
so look into technologies like in vitro fertilization (ivf) and intrauterine insemination (iui).
Reading: How much is iui with insurance
wait a minute, you’ve heard of IVF, but what is intrauterine insemination? iui isn’t in the news like ivf, but it’s been around for a long time. this article focuses on iui treatments, success rates, and how you can do it.
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what is intrauterine insemination (iui)?
Intrauterine insemination (IUI) is a form of artificial insemination in which sperm is injected directly into the uterus through a catheter. Done close to ovulation, it improves your chances of getting pregnant because it puts the best quality sperm (chosen and prepared in the lab) in the right place at the right time. frozen sperm samples can also be used.
This is different from IVF, where eggs are removed from a woman’s ovaries and then fertilized outside the uterus in a laboratory dish with her husband’s sperm.
IUI can be done during natural ovulation or simulated ovulation (also called superovulation or IUI) where medications are given to help ovulation.
please note that in singapore, single women cannot go through iui.
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what does iui imply?
To undergo iui, a woman must have a series of ultrasounds to monitor her menstrual cycle. this is to check her ovulation. Sometimes, she may have to take fertility drugs.
for the male, you would have to send semen samples the morning of the iui procedure to be washed in the lab so that the most active “swimmers” could be selected.
The procedure itself is carried out within 24 hours after ovulation. it’s painless, as uncomfortable as a pap smear, and takes half an hour to complete. your gynecologist might do it in a clinic.
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what is the difference between iui and fiv?
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In iui, fertilization of the egg takes place inside the woman’s body. In in vitro fertilization, the egg is removed from the woman and fertilized in a laboratory before being transferred back into the woman’s body. therefore, iui is less intrusive, requires fewer steps, and is less expensive.
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cost of iui treatment
iui typically costs around $1,000 per treatment and can be performed at government hospitals, private hospitals, and private clinics.
Currently, up to 6 iui/ivf cycles are co-financed for women under 40 at the start of the cycle. As of January 1, 2020, up to 2 of these 6 cycles can be done after the age of 40, as long as they have tried their first cycle before the age of 40.
While there are no subsidies for iui at this time, starting January 1, 2020, the government will introduce co-financing for iui of up to 75%, capped at $1,000 per treatment cycle (maximum 3 cycles) . the woman must also be under 40 years of age at the start of the cycle.
if one of the spouses is pr, the co-financing is up to $700, while if one of the spouses is foreign, the co-financing is up to $500.
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can i use medisave for iui treatments?
yes. you can withdraw the following amounts for an iui procedure:
- $6,000 for the first cycle of treatment
- $5,000 for the second cycle of treatment
- $4.00 for the third and subsequent treatment cycles
- couple with unexplained infertility
- woman with hostile cervical mucus
- woman with cervical scar tissue
- woman with ovulation problems
- man with mild or moderate sperm abnormality or other male fertility problems
- man with erectile dysfunction
- non-consummation
- woman with fallopian tube disease
- woman with pelvic diseases
- woman with endometriosis
- man with very low count and motile sperm
There is a lifetime withdrawal limit of $15,000 per patient.
because iui is not as expensive as ivf, it is not covered by the enhanced co-financing for assisted reproductive technology treatment (art) scheme provided by the government.
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frequently asked questions about intrauterine insemination
can I use donor sperm?
Yes, if the woman is undergoing fertility treatment and there are problems with the man’s sperm or she has a genetic condition, she can use donor sperm. some hospitals and clinics have their own sperm banks. You can also approach those abroad who are approved by the Ministry of Health (MS).
can I use donor eggs?
yes, if the quality of the woman’s eggs is not good enough for pregnancy. however, there is little access to donor eggs in singapore. you will have to find your own donor and singapore law does not allow the donor to be paid.
can I use a substitute?
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no, fertility clinics in singapore cannot carry out surrogacy agreements.
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who should undergo iui?
If you’re wondering if this procedure is for you, see how many checkboxes you and/or your spouse check below:
if the woman is under 35 and has never tried assisted reproductive technologies, iui may be recommended as a good first option.
please note that iui is not suitable for:
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iui success rate
As with any fertility treatment, chances are better with women under 35. In general, the pregnancy rate is around 15% to 20% (although some report a 7% to 10% success rate), the same as a healthy female partner who has regular intercourse.
iui super ovulation (so iui) has a higher success rate: 12% to 15% per cycle or 26% after three cycles.
The nice thing about iui is that there is no limit to the number of times you can do it. Since it’s not prohibitively expensive, you can give it a try a couple of times. the usual recommendation is to give iui at least three attempts before trying ivf, the most expensive option.
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iui risks
natural iui poses little risk. sham iui (so iui) causes a woman to produce more eggs and can result in a multiple pregnancy.
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what are your thoughts about intrauterine insemination? share with us below!
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