Timing IUI Insemination with Ovulation Tests

March 18, 2022 | Kacie Shrock, Registered Fertility Nurse 

IUI (Intrauterine Insemination) is a procedure performed with a fertility specialist where prepped sperm are placed directly in the uterine cavity during ovulation. A small flexible catheter is inserted towards the upper part of the uterus, placing the sperm as close to the fallopian tubes as possible, where they can easily swim to find the egg that was released from the ovary. 

Timing the IUI correctly is crucial. Ovulation tests can help!

Once ovulation occurs, the mature egg has about 12-24 hours to be fertilized by sperm. The insemination should be scheduled for right when the egg is being released from the ovary.  

As ovulation is approaching, the hormone Estrogen begins to rise and once it is sufficiently high, it triggers a sudden release of LH (Luteinizing Hormone). This LH surge triggers the final maturation and releases an egg from the ovary. 

How do you know when ovulation is going to occur so you can time the insemination correctly? 

“Predicting ovulation to best time insemination”

LH is the hormone that surges just prior to ovulation and can be seen on the graph above in purple. This hormone can be picked up in urine and detected at home by using LH kits, also known as Ovulation Predictor Kits (OPKS). Once an LH surge is detected, ovulation will occur 24-36 hours after the peak, also seen above. 

Your doctor may suggest that you use ovulation kits to appropriately find your LH peak and time the IUI. Or, they may suggest monitoring through blood tests and ultrasounds, which can be more invasive and costly, especially if your insurance does not cover fertility treatments and you are self-pay.

Monitoring LH levels at home can save time and money. The best way to time ovulation with home monitoring is by using ovulation tests. A pack of 50 ovulation strips that includes 20 pregnancy test strips costs $21.99 while some ultrasounds for monitoring can cost upwards of $150 per appointment with the chance of multiple appointments for one cycle.  

When do you start ovulation testing?

To make sure you won’t miss your LH surge, here are some suggested ways to get started. 

We recommend testing anytime between 10:00AM-8:00PM, as this is when LH levels tend to be the highest in the urine. For more information on how to use and interpret LH kits, click here. 

Why track Ovulation using Premom Ovulation tests and App? 

Premom ovulation tests are the only LH strips on the market to quantify your LH hormone level and digitize your ovulation cycle. The Premom LH kits work best with the app and have been proven to successfully predict ovulation. No matter if you are doing a natural cycle IUI or an orally medicated cycle (using Clomid or Letrozole), LH kits are the best way to track your peak accurately at home.

In need of tests? Premom quantitative ovulation test strips and Easy@home ovulation predictor kits work best with the app. They have trusted quality and are super easy to use! Download the free Premom app to get started!

Resources: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1110569014200434