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What Precautions Should I Take After IUI?

Rebecca Harkin
Rebecca Harkin

Intrauterine insemination (IUI) is a fertility treatment carried out at a predetermined time for optimal fertilization, and involves introducing prepared and concentrated sperm into the uterus by using a speculum to open the cervix and a catheter to deposit the sperm. The cervix, or opening in the uterus, is a good seal, so generally there are no precautions necessary after IUI. Exercise and sexual intercourse will not affect the outcome of IUI. Sometimes after IUI patients experience limited bleeding from the speculum, and cramping may be experienced either from the speculum or the on-set of ovulation, but this does not typically indicate a problem with the procedure and a short rest will usually relieve these issues. The only precaution necessary after IUI is to assume you will get pregnant, and in preparation you should abstain from using tobacco, alcohol, illegal drugs, or any prescription medications not approved by your gynecologist.

The cervix is a strong, protective barrier between the outside and the delicate uterus. Once the cervix has been temporarily opened to deposit the sperm inside the uterus during an IUI procedure, it will immediately reseal to hold the sperm inside. Some doctors will suggest a patient lie in the treatment room for 10-20 minutes following the IUI procedure, but this is not necessary for success. Exercise, strenuous activity, and sexual intercourse will not hinder the outcome of IUI, and having sexual intercourse may increase the chances of conceiving. None of these activities will cause the sperm to fall out of the uterus or prevent the sperm from moving toward or penetrating the egg.

Because a Intrauterine insemination (IUI) procedure uses a speculum, some patients experience slight temporary bleeding.
Because a Intrauterine insemination (IUI) procedure uses a speculum, some patients experience slight temporary bleeding.

After IUI, some patients experience slight temporary bleeding from the speculum. The bleeding is similar to the amount typically observed during a routine gynecological exam, but is not cause for alarm and does not indicate a failed IUI. Patients may also experience some cramping after IUI. The cramping could either be due to the speculum used during IUI or could be normal cramping often experienced at the time of ovulation. Resting for a short time may stop the bleeding and relieve the cramping.

After an IUI, some patients may experience some cramping.
After an IUI, some patients may experience some cramping.

The only precaution you do need to take after IUI is to assume you are or will soon be pregnant, and remember that your health will directly impact the health of your developing baby. You should not smoke, drink alcohol, take illegal drugs, and all prescription medications you are taking should be discussed with your gynecologist. In addition, you should take prenatal vitamins and eat a healthy diet.

Discussion Comments

anon941295

I am a working woman and have undergone IUI. There is no one at home to help me out. Can I do my normal routine work? Can I drive?

anon346738

Is the IUI test painful?

anon315801

We have never tried intercourse since we married 10 years ago, because of our health reasons. Now we long for a baby. Can we try IUI directly even before intercourse?

anon299907

I did my IUI on the 19th day of my cycle because it reptured on that day only. How can I know that I'm pregnant?

anon295342

I'm going for my first IUI. Hope it works.

anon264931

@kat: Doctors decide the schedule of IUI by doing scanning through your vagina multiple times. You will be asked to visit three or four times, to do the follicular study and to find when you will ovulate. The IUI will be done for all your ovulations, mostly like if you have one mature egg and one more on its way, your IUI will be done today and the day after tomorrow.

It's best to do the IUI just after ovulation or one day before because the ovum will be only alive for 12 hours but the sperm will live for two or three days.

anon253466

Even if I had an iui, can I still conceive normally if I can't spend again on an iui. Does an iui stop the changes of being pregnant normally?

ElizaBennett

@Kat919 - You won’t get a positive pregnancy test until some time after implantation, which after IUI works just the same as in the more “traditional” scenario. I would wait the full two weeks just as you would with intercourse. And if you get a negative with your first test, as always, test again if you don't get your period in a few days. (Buy a multi-pack.)

But even if you had trouble conceiving the first time, it doesn't follow that you will have the same trouble with the second pregnancy. Especially if you were on hormonal birth control before you tried to conceive. Many women find that one pregnancy sort of resets their system, and they get pregnant again easily. I hope you are one of them!

As for timing. using the Fertility Awareness Method can really help. If you had perfect cycles, you probably wouldn't need IUI! Look into FAM - it involves using your cervical fluid and, if you want, your cervical position to tell when your fertile window is. (Temperature only tells when it's too late, but this can be helpful if you have information from a few cycles.)

Baby wishes for you!

Kat919

I had trouble getting pregnant the first time and am considering IUI for my second pregnancy in a year or two. When could I take a pregnancy test after IUI? How will I know if it has worked or not?

I'm also wondering how the doctors know when to schedule your IUI. I mean, I guess most women ovulate on day 14 of their cycle, but I was always irregular.

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    • Because a Intrauterine insemination (IUI) procedure uses a speculum, some patients experience slight temporary bleeding.
      By: OLIVIER THURET
      Because a Intrauterine insemination (IUI) procedure uses a speculum, some patients experience slight temporary bleeding.
    • After an IUI, some patients may experience some cramping.
      By: Ljupco Smokovski
      After an IUI, some patients may experience some cramping.
    • After an IUI, a patient should take the same precautions as if she were pregnant.
      By: hartphotography
      After an IUI, a patient should take the same precautions as if she were pregnant.
    • A gynecologist may advise on what medications can be safely taken prior to IUI fertility treatments.
      By: Dmitriy Melnikov
      A gynecologist may advise on what medications can be safely taken prior to IUI fertility treatments.
    • Sexual activity will not hinder the outcome of an IUI.
      By: Poulsons Photography
      Sexual activity will not hinder the outcome of an IUI.