IUI is performed at the time of ovulation in a natural menstrual cycle or in a cycle where the ovaries have been stimulated by certain drugs. Ovulation induction or stimulation of the ovaries, is the administration of certain drugs which act on the ovaries and stimulate them to produce more eggs, thus improving the chances of conception. The woman is asked to attend the clinic on the 2nd day of her menstrual cycle. After an ultrasound examination to check her uterus and ovaries she is prescribed medication to stimulate her ovaries. Such drugs are administered to ensure that the ovaries produce more than one egg to improve chances of conceptions. These can be in the form of oral medication or as injections which may have to be taken daily or on alternate days.

A very important part of the IUI treatment cycle is making sure that the insemination is done at the time of ovulation. In order to ensure this and to monitor that the ovary is responding well to the given drugs an ultrasound scan is performed usually on the 8th or 9th day of the cycle after the day 2 scan . Depending on the growth of the follicles (structures in the ovary containing the eggs) the scans are repeated till the right size is reached . The woman may then be advised to take an injection to help release the egg from the follicle or one can wait for it to get released on its own. At the predicted time of ovulation intrauterine insemination is carried out.

In general, it is usually recommended to do IUI just before ovulation is set to take place. Six hours is often the time frame given as washed sperm doesn't live much beyond six to 12 hours. Cycles using a single IUI are normally done 36 hours after the surge is detected or 36 hours after an hCG injection when a trigger for ovulation is given, while those having two IUIs done will be inseminated between 24 and 48 hours after the surge/hcg injection. There may be a slightly increased chance of pregnancy with two IUIs, but the difference is not statistically significant.

Abstinence is to be observed 2-4 days prior to the procedure. On the day of the insemination the husband gives a semen sample in a wide-mouthed sterile container provided by the Clinic. The sample should be obtained by masturbation and not coitus interuptus. Semen can be collected either at home, if you live close to the centre, or at IVF-Pune unit itself. Facilities ensuring privacy are available at the Clinic for this purpose. If you plan on collecting the semen sample at home , then this sample needs to be delivered to the clinic within an half hour of ejaculation. This is when a fresh sample is being used to perform the IUI . In case the husband cannot be present around the time of ovulation a sample can be frozen and frozen sperms can also be used to perform IUI. When donor semen samples are used , these are always frozen samples.

After the specimen has been given for processing, the couple can leave and return for the insemination 1 -2 hours later as it would take this time approximately to prepare the sample.