Bringing a new life into the world is a cherished dream for many couples. Yet the growing percentage of infertility has placed formidable barriers on their journey towards a healthy pregnancy. Nevertheless, within assisted reproductive technology, Intrauterine Insemination (IUI) stands as a beacon of hope for couples who aspire to become parents at least once. Though the IUI journey against infertility is never easy, comprehensive knowledge and studying the keys to a successful IUI make your IUI journey successful.
Hence, we are back with this blog to help you start your IUI journey successfully, so what are we waiting for? Let’s get started!
Significant ways to improve the success rate of IUI
IUI treatment is a pain-free method of Assisted Reproductive Technology that is mostly performed in male infertility cases. In this treatment, male sperm is directly inserted into the woman’s uterus during her most fertile window. To improve the success rate, the fertility doctor first stimulates ovulation in the woman with the help of certain medications or injections. However, speculation doesn’t end just after performing the IUI treatment. Here are a few keys to a successful IUI to increase your chances of conception if followed after the treatment.
Mild exercise
Doctors typically advise against engaging in rigorous exercise or heavy workouts to enhance the IUI success rate. Excessive physical activity might lead to misleading outcomes instead of the intended results. However, gentle yoga and jogging can help alleviate stress and increase the likelihood of successful conception. It is also recommended to avoid prolonged periods of sitting and strive to maintain an active lifestyle throughout your pregnancy.
Maintain a balanced diet.
Research says that your diet directly affects the pregnancy hormone, and you should include more proteins in your diet while cutting down on the percentage of carbohydrates.
Moreover, the oily and junk food intake should be reduced and replaced with healthy, fresh fruits and vegetables during the IUI cycle.
You should include green leafy vegetables, sunflower seeds, salmon, Pomegranate, Lentils and Beans, Asparagus, and full-fat dairy, and avoid white rice, caffeine, soda, energy drinks, and biscuits or cakes.
In short, a healthy diet is crucial to maintaining the health of the mother and the baby.
Use supplements
After an IUI treatment, some supplements are recommended significantly to support the overall process and increase successful conception. However, consulting with your healthcare provider before starting any new supplements is vital.
Here are some of the supplements suggested by fertility specialists:
- Folic acid,
- Vitamin D,
- Omega-3 fatty Acids,
- Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10),
- Vitamin C,
- Iron,
- Vitamin E,
- probiotics, etc.
Quit Alcohol and smoking
One of the best keys to a successful IUI is to quit alcohol and smoking. As smoking and alcohol consumption lead to lower IUI success rates, they are associated with reduced sperm count and motility. Some studies have also shown that alcohol can decrease sperm count by up to 50%.
Moreover, Drinking alcohol and tobacco can also affect your libido and your ability to get aroused. So, if you are trying to conceive, whether through IUI or naturally, it is best to avoid alcohol and smoking.These toxic substances reduce your chances of successful conception and increase the risk of miscarriage.
According to a study published in the Human Reproduction Journal, women who drank one or two alcoholic beverages per week had a higher risk of miscarriage than those who didn’t drink at all.
In short, women who drank three or more alcoholic beverages per week had a 40% increased risk of miscarriage.
Have sex, but not too much.
Engaging in sexual activity following IUI treatment offers significant advantages, as the sperm is pushed to the fallopian tubes during sex. However, having sex frequently can harm your sperm count and motility.
One study even reveals that having sex more than once a week decreases the likelihood of successful conception and affects your IUI success rate by 40%. And if that is not enough, it also affects your libido and aroused ability.
Avoid long Travel Trips.
Try to avoid any long trips for the successful outcome of IUI treatment. Various studies have stated that prolonged driving can increase stress, which hurts your ovaries. Because long trips harm your reproductive health, if you are driving for more than two hours, take a break and rest. Meanwhile, if you are planning a long trip, try to control your stress and have enough suitable items for emergencies.
Avoid exposure to harmful radiation.
Exposure to radiation shows a negative impact on the IUI treatment effectiveness. Also, a recent study states that men exposed to high radiation levels from CT scans or diagnostic tests had a higher risk of infertility.
Additionally, even minimal radiation exposure can potentially hinder the efficacy of IUI. Contemporary medical practices involve the utilization of X-rays and CT scans, both of which emit radiation.
These radiation forms may adversely affect fertility and escalate the likelihood of miscarriage. Notably, radiation therapy targeted at the pelvic region is associated with a decline in ovarian count. So, if you have a medical procedure entailing radiation, it’s best to consult your fertility specialist regarding alternative approaches.
The above-listed methods are the best keys to a successful IUI treatment. After you have followed these steps, it is time to look out for IUI success symptoms.
Symptoms of IUI pregnancy
The common IUI success symptoms to acknowledge are:
- Abdominal Pain
- Bleeding
- Sore Breasts
- Mood swings
- Cramping
- Vaginal Discharge
- Mild to moderate discomfort
- Dizziness, Nausea, and vomiting
IUI treatment can bring miracles into your life and break the cycle of constant infertility. Despite following IUI success tips, many couples become concerned about the IUI success rate. However, there’s no need to worry when it comes to IUI; its success depends entirely on factors such as the woman’s age, underlying fertility issues, sperm quality, and the expertise of the medical team. If you have additional questions, consult a fertility specialist to plan your treatment accordingly.
Start your parenthood journey—talk to a fertility expert now!
IUI is the most popular method of Assisted Reproductive Technology and is commonly performed in cases of male infertility. Consulting your fertility specialist is essential if you are in the early stages of your IUI pregnancy. Regularly visit the best IUI center in Delhi to address any treatment-related complications and enhance your chances of a successful pregnancy. This proactive approach ensures a trouble-free pregnancy phase, facilitates a healthy baby delivery, and allows you to cherish your parenthood journey.
