When couples are not getting pregnant, they seek all kinds of fertility treatments. Such common and popular options include IUI and ICSI. Understanding both methods helps you to make the best decision for your journey to parenthood.
What is IUI?
IUI or Intrauterine Insemination, is a less complex and invasive method of fertility treatment. It is the act of placing prepared sperm in a woman's uterus when she is ovulating. Here's how it works:
- Recording Ovulation: Doctors record the cycle of the woman so that they can pinpoint the right time for insemination.
- Preparation of Sperm: A semen sample is taken, and the healthiest sperm are selected from it.
- Insemination: Through a thin catheter, the prepared sperm is injected directly into the uterus.
This technique is commonly suggested to infertile couples who experience unexplained causes of their infertility, mild male factor infertility, like having a low sperm count, or for those whose sperm source is a donor.
Advantages of IUI
- Less invasive: IUI does not need any surgical or the procedure involved in extracting eggs; therefore, it is quite softer on the patient's body.
- Cost-effective: The total cost is much lower compared to other ARTs, such as IVF.
- Rapid Procedure: Only a few minutes for insemination; it can be performed within a doctor's clinic.
Disadvantages of IUI
- Success Rates: The success rate for IUI is quite variable, but more importantly, it is lower compared to IVF or ICSI, especially in the cases of severe infertility.
- Requires Ovulation: For IUI to be successful, the woman needs to ovulate as well as have open fallopian tubes.
- Lack of Wide-Ranging Use: It may not be applicable in all cases of infertility, especially in cases of more severe male factor issues.
What is ICSI?
ICSI stands for Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection; this is some fancy word for a more advanced technique that usually hails in IVF. The process involves the injection of a single sperm directly into an egg. To be more specific, this procedure is recommended to couples because of male infertility factors. The ICSI procedure is given below:
- Egg Retrieval: First of all, the woman will undergo ovarian stimulation, and then the eggs will be brought out by some minor surgical procedure and retrieved.
- Sperm Selection: A semen sample is collected, and the best-quality sperms are chosen.
- Injection Process: One sperm is then directly injected into each egg through a fine needle.
Advantages of ICSI
- More Chances of Success: ICSI greatly increases chances of fertilisation, especially in cases where sperm count is less.
- Straight Insemination: This process bypasses many barriers that would deny the naturally occurring fertilisation, like problems with the movement of the sperm.
- Genetic Connection Maintained: Couples will use their own sperm and eggs, thus maintaining the biological connection with their child.
Disadvantages of ICSI
- Costly Procedure: ICSI tends to be very costly compared to IUI because it's a very complex procedure that involves the involvement of many IVF procedures.
- Chances of Complications: There is a tiny percentage chance of damaging the egg during this procedure due to injection. Not all eggs will be mature for fertilisation either.
- Genetic Hazard: Some studies have suggested that babies conceived through ICSI are at a higher risk of genetic anomalies than those born through the natural method or via in-vitro methods.
Choosing Between IUI and ICSI
The decision between IUI and ICSI hinges on the following:
- Infertility Cause: If male factor infertility is predominant (such as a very low sperm count), then ICSI is more appropriate. For unexplained infertility and mild problems with the male, IUI may be sufficient.
- Economic Considerations: If the cost factor is of significant importance, then perhaps the patient could start with IUI.
- Personal Preferences: Some people want to try the less intrusive methods first. Talking with your physician about your preferences will better assist you in making a decision.
- Age and Health Factors: The age and health of the female can also determine which may work more effectively
Conclusion
To sum up, IUI and ICSI are different with their individual merits and drawbacks. This understanding will enable you to make the appropriate decision for yourself according to your particular fertility needs. If you plan to undergo some type of fertility treatment, seeking support from experts will result in information directly related to your situation. Those who seek the finest care in Noida can look no further than the best IVF clinic in Noida, Maaeri, which offers personalised assistance at every stage of fertility care.