Intrauterine Insemination - IUI

Clomiphene citrate is commonly used along with intrauterine insemination as a fertility treatment. Clomiphene citrate is the generic name of a fertility pill which is used to induce ovulation. Brand names include Clomid and Serophene. This medication is associated with an 8% risk of twinning (normal risk is 1%) and about 1/1000 risk of triplets or more. Side effects include hot flashes, dizziness, headaches and ovarian cyst development. Patients that conceive on clomiphene usually do so by the 3rd or 4th ovulatory cycle. If an intrauterine insemination is performed as well, there is a 1 chance in 500 risk of infection.

Clomiphene citrate does not increase the risk of birth defects when taken properly. If clomiphene citrate is taken while pregnant, it may increase the risk for birth defects. Some women interpret early pregnancy bleeding as a period. For this reason, we recommend that you take a urine pregnancy test each month just before starting the clomiphene citrate even if you had what you think is a period.

For counting purposes, the first day of your period is cycle day 1, the second day is cycle day 2 and so on. It doesn’t matter which day the bleeding stops. Take the clomiphene citrate for 5 days as directed on cycle days 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7. Also call at the start of your period to schedule a vaginal sonogram for cycle day 10, 11 or 12. The day of the sonogram, we will determine what day to give you the hCG trigger shot to ensure ovulation when the follicle is mature. An IUI is planned 1-2 days later.

Chances for pregnancy are 12-14% per cycle for IUI. A normal couple has a 20% each month of conceiving. If IUI’s work, they generally do so within 3 cycles.

If you are pregnant, a sonogram is recommended because of the risk of twins.