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IUI reason failure

IUI Failure Reason

IUI (Intrauterine Insemination) is a fertility treatment where a group of healthy, motile sperm is injected directly into the uterus for fertilization. This method is preferred when couples have issues getting pregnant naturally.

IUI is an advanced fertility treatment that has helped several couples who couldn’t get pregnant on their own. You would’ve had high hopes when undergoing this treatment. So, it is natural for you to feel depressed when it fails.

But, IUI failures are common and happen for many women. The best thing you can do in this situation is to understand why the cycle failed and rectify it during the next cycle.

In this article, we’ll learn all about IUI failures, from their causes to what preventive measures you can take to successfully get pregnant in future cycles.

Why Does IUI Treatment Fail?

An IUI treatment is not a definite 100% solution for all women. It might work for some and fail for some. There are several reasons why an IUI treatment would fail for you. Below are some of the reasons why IUI won’t work for you.

Ovarian Reserve

Your ovarian reserve is the total number of viable egg follicles in your ovaries. You need a good ovarian reserve to produce a mature egg for fertilization. If your ovarian reserve is low,then the count and size of the follicles could be affected, which can reduce the chances of fertilization and pregnancy.

You can find your ovarian reserve by taking an ultrasound scan or ovarian reserve testing. This can help doctors determine whether IUI is the best option for you.

Age

Age is one of the most important factors determining a woman’s fertility. As you get older, your ability to get pregnant decreases. This can make it difficult for you to get pregnant, either naturally or through fertility treatments.

Doctors usually don’t suggest IUI for women who are over 40, as it might lead to complications. If you wish to try IUI, ensure you are in your 30s or younger. This can increase your chances of pregnancy.

Poor Quality Eggs

The quality of your eggs determines whether the embryo can develop normally till childbirth. Having poor-quality eggs can result in poor-quality embryos with chromosomal abnormalities.

Poor-quality eggs also increase the chances of miscarriage and other complications during pregnancy. It is important to evaluate the quality of your eggs before undergoing an IUI procedure. That’s why Doctors always check the quality of the egg. to avoid miscarriage

Poor Sperm Quality

The quality of your partner’s sperm also determines the success of IUI. Most times, IUI is suggested when the sperm has issues passing through the uterus and reaching the eggs.

For sperm, its quality is determined by its motility (ability to move) and morphology (shape). Your IUI cycle may fail if the sperm are not of good quality.

Timing

During IUI, you will be administered a series of hormonal injections to stimulate the ovaries to produce mature eggs. These eggs will be viable for fertilization for around 12 to 24 hours after ovulation.

Doctors must regularly monitor your ovarian movements and inject the sperm into the uterus at the right time. Missing the right time for fertilization can lead to IUI failure.

Abnormal Endometrial Lining

Once the egg is fertilized, it will pass through the fallopian tube and reach the uterus for implantation. The endometrial lining should be ready and receptive to the egg to result in pregnancy.

If the thickness and quality of the endometrium are not up to par, it might not be able to implant the egg and cause IUI failure.

Progesterone

Progesterone is one of the most important hormones your body needs to sustain pregnancy. Insufficient progesterone levels can lead to IUI failures.

Unexplained Infertility

Sometimes, the specific cause of your infertility may be unknown. In such cases, doctors usually won’t recommend IUI for you since the risk of complications is high.

Women with infertility caused by PCOS, blocked fallopian tubes, endometriosis, and other severe cases of infertility also have a high chance of IUI failures.

Unhealthy Lifestyle

Your lifestyle choices play a significant part in IUI’s success. Unhealthy habits like smoking, alcohol, drugs, and unhealthy food can impact your IUI success rate.

Doctors usually recommend couples abstain from these unhealthy habits for at least 3 months before starting IUI treatments.

What to Do After First Failed IUI?

You might feel like all your hopes are crushed when you experience your first failed IUI cycle. But you don’t have to worry too much about it.

It’s important to take the next step after an IUI failure, as studies show that only 10–20% of women successfully get pregnant during their first IUI cycle. Most women need to undergo at least three cycles to achieve pregnancy..

Here is what you can do after your first IUI failure.

  • Take a break. You might feel tired physically and emotionally after an IUI cycle. Take a break to relax before starting the next cycle.
  • Discuss with your doctor. Your first IUI cycle must have failed for a reason. Find out what it is and take the necessary measures to prevent it during the next cycle.

What’s the Next Step After Multiple Failed IUI Cycles?

Sometimes, IUI may not be the best option for you. No matter how many cycles you undergo, you can’t get pregnant with IUI. This might happen if you have serious fertility problems.

In such cases, doctors suggest you undergo IVF (Invitro Fertilization). In IVF, your eggs and your partner’s sperm are retrieved and fertilized in a laboratory. This procedure ensures the eggs and sperm are of the best quality and increases the chances of a successful pregnancy.

You can also opt for ICSI (Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection) in cases of male-factor infertility. ICSI is a type of IVF where a single, healthy sperm is collected in a needle and injected directly into the egg’s cytoplasm.

So, you don’t need to worry if you fail IUI multiple times. You can discuss with your doctor and try IVF treatment or ICSI treatment

Conclusion

IUI cycles can fail for multiple reasons. You need to understand why it failed and take preventive measures to succeed in the future cycles. Even if it doesn’t work, you can try other fertility treatments like IVF and ICSI.

The hospital you choose for your fertility treatment also plays a role in successfully getting pregnant. So, do your homework and choose the best fertility doctor to undergo your infertility treatments.

FAQs

1. Why does IUI fail for the first time?

Your first IUI cycle may fail for several reasons. Some factors that cause IUI failures are your age, ovarian reserve, egg and sperm quality, endometrial lining, and other infertility issues. Understanding what causes IUI failure can help rectify the situation.

2. When will I get my periods after a failed IUI cycle?

Generally, you can expect to have your periods about two weeks after an IUI cycle. The timing may vary based on your fertility and health condition. So, this is not the definite time your menstruation will start.

3. Can I get pregnant after a failed IUI cycle?

Yes, you can get pregnant after a failed IUI cycle. You can take a break and try IUI again. Most women only get pregnant after 3 IUI cycles.

Moreover, IUI is not the only fertility treatment available. So you don’t have to lose hope if it doesn’t work. You can opt for other fertility treatments like IVF or ICSI to get pregnant.

4. How many times should I try IUI before choosing IVF?

Most doctors will try for at least six IUI cycles before deciding IUI is not the best option for you. They will then take some tests and determine whether IVF or ICSI will work for you.

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Dr Niveditha

Dr. Niveditha is the co-founder of The Hive Fertility and Research Centre. She is a young and passionate fertility expert who aims to provide high-quality fertility treatments to her patients. During her 10+ years of service as a fertility expert, she has helped several hundreds of patients overcome their infertility and become parents. She also specializes in the fields of obstetrics, gynecology, and reproductive endocrinology

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