IUI (intrauterine insemination): what it involves
IUI places specially prepared sperm directly into the uterus, timed around ovulation. It is less invasive than IVF and does not need a laboratory step outside the body, which is why it is usually tried first where it is a suitable option.
Who IUI is suitable for
IUI is generally considered for mild male-factor infertility, unexplained infertility, or where ovulation needs a small amount of help, and it requires at least one open fallopian tube. It is not suitable where both tubes are blocked, where male-factor infertility is more significant, or after several IUI cycles have not worked — at that point IVF is usually the next step. A few practical steps before a cycle are covered separately.
What a cycle involves
- Monitoring: a series of scans, sometimes with medication to support ovulation, to time the procedure to the day it is most likely to work.
- Sample preparation: the semen sample is washed and concentrated in the laboratory shortly before the procedure.
- The procedure itself takes a few minutes, is done without anaesthesia, and feels similar to a routine internal examination for most women.
- Afterwards: most patients rest briefly at the hospital and then go home the same day, with no special restriction on normal activity.
Cost
What IUI costs in India and ways to reduce the cost of a cycle are covered on their own pages, since cost depends on how much monitoring and medication a particular cycle needs.
Travelling for treatment
If you are travelling from elsewhere in Goa for monitoring visits or the procedure itself, we send a car for you and bring you home again, free of cost. Patients also travel from Karwar, Belgaum, Panaji and further afield specifically for IUI here — call or WhatsApp first so visits can be planned around the monitoring schedule.
Is IUI painful?
Most women describe it as similar to a routine internal examination. It does not need anaesthesia.
How many visits does a cycle need?
Monitoring usually needs a handful of scan visits before the procedure day itself; the exact number depends on how your cycle responds.
What happens if IUI does not work after a few cycles?
Your consultant will usually discuss moving on to IVF at that point, based on your specific investigation results.
Do I need to stay in Goa for the whole cycle?
You need to be present for the monitoring scans and the procedure day itself; your consultant can tell you roughly how many visits to plan for.
This page is for general education and is not personal medical advice. Treatment depends on your own examination and reports, so please speak to a doctor about your situation. We do not carry out or offer sex determination of any kind.