Intrauterine Insemination

Our office provides intrauterine inseminations also known as IUIs or artificial insemination in the Oahu fertility clinic, in Honolulu and windward Oahu (Kailua). Your physician at Advanced Reproductive Medicine and Gynecology can help you determine if Intrauterine Insemination may be a good treatment choice for you.

Sperm is carefully washed and prepared so that the most motile and viable sperm are concentrated into a very small volume to be injected into the uterine cavity. Higher sperm counts increase the odds of success, however, there is little difference between success with good-average counts and those with high counts.

Specimen Collection Instructions

1. The specimen will be collected by masturbation in a private room in the office complex.
   • a. You will be provided a sterile container from the laboratory.
   • b. No lubricants (except mineral oil) are to be used because they are bad for the sperm.
   • c. Wash your hands prior to producing the specimen to minimize the chances for contamination.
   • d. Remove the lid from the container.
   • e. Produce the specimen.
     • i. Avoid touching the inside of the container with your fingers or penis.
     • ii. Replace the lid immediately after completing the collection.
     • iii. Interrupted intercourse is not an acceptable method of collection for infertility purposes.
   • f. Please deliver your sample directly by handing it to a lab representative.

Home Collections

The most accurate semen analysis is the one that has been produced at the lab and evaluated promptly. We strongly urge you to produce the specimen at our facility if at all possible. However, we understand that this is not feasible for all couples. Please follow the instructions below for home collections:

1. Obtain a sterile collection container from the office.
2. This specimen should also be produced by masturbation.
3. Follow the collection instructions above.
4. Make sure the specimen is properly labeled.
5. The specimen should be delivered to the laboratory within 30 minutes of ejaculation.
6. Care should be taken to maintain the specimen at body temperature (carried upright in an inside pocket, close to the body).
7. DO NOT refrigerate the specimen or place it in hot water.
8. If there are problems with the collection, please let the lab personnel know, as this will aid in interpretation of the specimen.

Donor Sperm Intrauterine Insemination (DI)

The option of donor sperm has been available to those couples with severe male infertility for a long time. Now with the addition of ICSI almost all severe male factor infertility is treatable. However, some couples may choose to use donor sperm from one of many certified sperm banks across the country. Once a donor is chosen, the sperm is washed and prepared in a similar fashion to that of an IUI. Donor sperm intrauterine insemination is also available for women without a sexual partner or for lesbian couples.