Is IUI Treatment Painful?

An Infertility diagnosis can take a toll on your mental health. Fortunately, there are options for couples struggling with Infertility. You can opt for ART (Assisted Reproductive Technology )  to enjoy  pregnancy and become parents to your biological children. Among the options available, intrauterine insemination seems to be the most affordable, fastest, and simple  procedure. A common question that nearly every woman undergoing ART faces is, “Is IUI Treatment Painful?” 

There is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question. It depends on many factors, including your pain tolerance level, how your body responds to the treatment. Typically, the procedure causes minimal to no pain, but that may not be the case for every woman. To better understand the procedure, risks, and level of pain, you need to understand the details of the procedure. That will help you prepare, both mentally and physically, for the day. In this post, we’ve explained the process of IUI, its benefits, the common side effects, and, not to mention, the pain you can expect during and after the treatment. Let’s begin. 

Overview of Intrauterine Insemination (IUI)

Couples who have been trying to conceive for more than a year without any positive pregnancy result can try Intrauterine or Artificial Insemination — a first-line treatment for Infertility. In this fertility procedure, the doctor places the male partner’s sperm directly into the female’s uterus to increase the odds of one of the sperm reaching and penetrating the egg. 

The technique is comparatively more affordable and comfortable than other assisted reproductive technologies. It also boosts the chances of conception in couples with male-factor infertility. If the male partner has a  borderline low sperm count, borderline low motility , or issues with  morphology, IUI is recommended.

The sperm sample is washed and prepared for the transfer. The procedure is scheduled around the time you are ovulating , to ensure the sperm meets the egg in the fallopian tubes and results in a successful implantation. In addition to male-factor Infertility, IUI is considered an effective treatment option for unexplained infertility, ovulatory disorders, cervical mucus issues, and irregular ovulation cycles. 

Is IUI Treatment Painful: Understanding the Step-by-Step Procedure

It’s hard to predict the exact level of pain you’ll experience during the sperm transfer, but knowing the steps of the procedure will give you a rough idea. Here’s what the procedure entails:

Step 1: Ovulation Stimulation

The IUI cycle starts with ovulation-stimulation medication which are usually tablets.These trigger your brain to release more of the hormones which are responsible for egg growth.If the response to the tablets is not sufficient, injections may be added. The medicines do not cause any serious, long-term complications, but a few side effects can be expected. You may feel pain at the injection site if injections are used , mood swings, nausea, and mild cramps. These symptoms are mostly short-lived, though.

Step 2: Monitoring Ovulation 

Once you are done with the medication for egg growth, your doctor will closely monitor the development of the egg by ultrasound and a HCG injection is administered when you are ready for ovulation. The ovulation is then confirmed by ultrasound. 

Step 3: Semen Sample and Preparation

Your partner is asked to give the semen sample on the day the IUI is scheduled . The semen is washed, and the healthy, motile sperm are extracted from the fluid to maximize fertilization success.

Step 4: Sperm Injection

The final step of the IUI is sperm injection. This usually takes a couple of minutes and is done as an outpatient procedure. You are supposed to lie on your back on a table. The doctor uses a instrument/speculum that opens your vagina and gives your doctor a clear view of the cervix. 

They then pass the catheter (a thin, long tube through which the sperm is delivered) through the cervix into the uterus, closest to where the sperm can meet the egg and fertilize. Once the sperm reaches the desired place, the doctor gently removes the catheter and the speculum.

Also Read: When To Take a Pregnancy Test After IUI Treatment?

Now, getting back to the question,

Is IUI Painful?

First things first, you don’t need anesthesia for IUI, as it’s a relatively simple, quick, and almost painless treatment. Some people, however, report mild cramping during the sperm injection and discomfort from the speculum and catheter inserted. How painful it turns out for you depends totally on your pain threshold. Let’s get into the details of the kind of pain you might experience during different stages of IUI.

Pain When Speculum is Used to Open Your Vagina

Speculum is a medical device used to see inside the hollow opening, such as your vagina. It’s made of either stainless steel or plastic. When a speculum is inserted into the vagina, it widens the opening and gives your provider a clear view of the vaginal canal and the cervix. The insertion shouldn’t hurt, but some patients can notice slight discomfort. It’s advisable to relax and keep your body loose instead of tightening the insertion site. The discomfort might be felt due to the metal device sliding in, especially if a lubricant is not used. Rest assured that it’s safe.

Pain While Inserting the Catheter

The next step is passing a catheter, which, as mentioned earlier, is a very soft and thin tube that can easily get inside the vagina and is guided to the uterus through the cervix. This also doesn’t cause pain, but mild discomfort with a pinch sensation is normal. You may also feel mild cramps as the catheter passes through the cervix, but that should last until the catheter is removed.

Pain While Injecting Sperm

This, again, causes little to no discomfort. Some women don’t even realize that the sperm is delivered to the target area and the procedure is over. Others report menstrual-cramp-like sensations. 

What Happens After IUI

You must lie straight for a short while, preferably 10-15 minutes after sperm injection, to give it sufficient time to settle in place. Once done, you can go home and return to your normal activities. Some women might experience pain after IUI treatment coupled with sperm leaking from the vagina, which is normal and temporary. 

You may also notice light spotting, which occurs due to the catheter insertion through the cervix, but that, too, must resolve shortly. Mentally, the procedure can be intimidating. It’s not just the fear of experiencing pain and discomfort during IUI, but what happens afterward, whether your pregnancy test is positive, and whether you need more cycles are a few questions that might trouble you for the next few days. Don’t panic. And do not lose hope. It’s a minimally invasive procedure, which you can try at minimal cost multiple times (if the first attempt fails).

Tips for Managing Pain During IUI

Now that you have the answers to the question, “Is IUI Treatment Painful?” you might wonder what you can do to minimize the discomfort. Fortunately, the pain is manageable. We’ve listed a few steps that may help:

Choose a Reputable Fertility Doctor: IUI is a fertility treatment that should be executed by an experienced and professional fertility specialist. Instead of visiting your regular gynecologist , it’s best to seek medical care from a fertility specialist who does it regularly. 

Manage Anxiety: A common problem that can exacerbate the pain during IUI is anxiety. The more you are tense, the greater the pain sensation will be. So, practice relaxation techniques. Take a few deep breaths and do what your doctor says.

Use Heating Pads: Cramping after IUI is common. You can use heating pads to relieve the discomfort. 

Rest as Much as Possible: Your body needs time to heal after any minor or major procedure. After the treatment, it’s advisable to rest for some time. That said, you can continue your work and routine chores if you feel up to it. 

If you are looking for the best IUI treatment in Hyderabad, Plan B Fertility is your safest and best bet. Our team of experienced, dedicated, and professional IUI specialists and professional staff are there to assist you through every step of intrauterine insemination, all under the guidance of Dr. Dhatri Kumari. Give us a call or drop an email, and we’ll get in touch shortly.