Facts, Views & Vision
in ObGyn

Journal of the European Society for Gynaecological Endoscopy

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The revival of intrauterine insemination: evidence-based data have changed the picture

W. Ombelet1,2,3

1Editor-in-Chief, 2Genk Institute for Fertility Technology, ZOL Hospitals, Schiepse Bos 6, 3600 Genk, Belgium, 3Hasselt University, Department of Physiology, Martelarenlaan 42, 3500 Hasselt, Belgium.

Keywords:

artificial insemination, assisted reproduction, intrauterine insemination, IUI, NICE guidelines, semen quality, unexplained infertility


Published online: Feb 16 2018

Abstract

According to a number of high quality studies intrauterine insemination (IUI) with homologous semen should be the first choice treatment in case of unexplained and moderate male factor subfertility. IVF and ICSI are clearly over-used in this selected group of infertile couples. The limited value of IUI in infertility treatment as mentioned in the 2013 NICE guidelines was surely a premature statement and should be adapted to the actual literature.

More evidence-based data are becoming available on different variables influencing the success rates after IUI. It can be expected that these findings may lead to a better understanding and use of IUI in the near future.