Artificial Insemination
This procedure consists of placing a good quantity of “suitable” spermatozoids in the uterus just before ovulation. To do this, we do ecographyc follicular screening, or in other words, transvaginal ultrasounds on specific days of the cycle to determine the best moment to carry out the insemination.
On the chosen day of the insemination, a sperm sample is requested from the partner and using a laboratory process to get the spermatozoids “swimming”, the most suitable ones are selected.
A small volume of sperm in a culture medium are concentrated using a centrifuge. It is this preparation that is then introduced into the uterus with the purpose that when the patient ovulates, the spermatozoids are already in the Fallopian ready to fertilize de egg.
This can be done using a spontaneous cycle, that is, without the need for drugs, or using an induced cycle, that is, by taking ovulation inducers so as to produce one or more follicles. This depends on the individual case.
This procedure can be carried out using semen from the partner or a donor.
The essential factor for this procedure to work is that the Fallopian tubes are permeable (not blocked) and that they function adequately given that fertilization happens in them.
The success rate for each attempt is around 15% in couples with infertility problems where sperm from the partner is used and around 25% when donor sperm is used (in the cases suited for this procedure).
Used under the following circumstances:
Mild oligospermia
A low sperm count (10 – 20 million spermatozoids per cc) or poor mobility (less than 50% with forward progression).
Cervical factor
a lack of cervical mucus or an abnormal post-coital test (no mobile spermatozoids are detected in the cervical mucus in the periovulatory period).
Ovarian hyper-stimulation
Ovarian hyper-stimulation (two or more follicles are produced) can be carried out alongside artificial insemination. Insemination can be an option in some cases of sexual dysfunction such as premature ejaculation, retrograde ejaculation, impotence, etc.
Azoospermia
Donor insemination is an alternative in cases where there is a failure to produce spermatozoids such as when testicles that had not dropped were not operated on in time, orchitis caused by the virus that causes parotitis (mumps), etc. Another alternative is to do an insemination using a donor’s semen.
Desire for motherhood in single women
We have programs that are tailored to make treatments easier for both local patients and those from abroad.
Santa María Clinic has become a reference center for Assisted Reproduction Techniques at a local and regional level.