Intrauterine insemination for infertility: experience in a private health facility in Benin City, South-South Nigeria

Abstract

Objective: To determine the role of intrauterine insemination (IUI) in improving the clinical outcome of infertility treatment.

Design: Retrospective study in a private obstetrics and gynaecology clinic in Benin City.

Subjects: Women with a diagnosis of unexplained or male factor infertility who had IUI with either partner or donor semen.

Main Outcome measure: Clinical pregnancy rate.

Results: The pregnancy rates per cycle and per couple were 18.5% and 23.9% respectively. Cumulative pregnancy rate following 3 treatment cycles was 28.6%. These rates were not significantly influenced by the age of the woman (P=0.39), duration of infertility or double versus single insemination per cycle of treatment (P=1.00). Donor IUI was 53.3% more likely to be successful (73.3 vs 20%, OR 3.67; P=0.001).

Conclusions: Pregnancy rate from IUI in our practice appears encouraging. A larger prospective study will probably confirm our findings, and highlight useful determinants of treatment outcome.

Keywords: infertility, assisted reproductive technique, intrauterine insemination, pregnancy rate