IUI is a fertility-enhancing procedure. In this procedure, the semen sample is processed in the andrology lab in order to procure motile and healthy sperm. After processing, the washed semen sample is gently introduced with the help of an IUI catheter into the uterus. The procedure is done just as the woman shows signs of ovulation.A blood pregnancy test is usually recommended 14 days after the IUI procedure to check for the pregnancy.
In this blog, we’ll read about what to expect after an IUI procedure. We’ll also answer frequently asked questions like what are the success symptoms of IUI, when to take a pregnancy test after the IUI procedure, and more.
Table Of Content
So, Is it normal to see symptoms after IUI?
Major Symptoms After IUI Procedure
When Should You Take a Pregnancy Test after IUI?
When do you start experiencing the Symptoms of Pregnancy after an IUI procedure?
Should I Expect Bleeding After IUI?
How to Confirm Pregnancy After IUI
What happens Day by Day After IUI
So, Is it normal to see symptoms after IUI?
Usually, the woman does not experience untoward symptoms. She can proceed with her daily routine. No bed rest is necessary.
Moreover, sometimes, Early pregnancy symptoms may occur as soon as the pregnancy is confirmed by a bhCG test or there may be no symptoms at all. A feeling of fullness, nausea, drowsiness may be felt by the woman.
The symptoms of IUI pregnancy are similar to normal pregnancy. As IUI is a procedure that assists nature in creating a baby. Hence once pregnant, the woman will feel the same as a naturally conceived pregnancy.
Can the symptoms also be the effect of medication on the body? The symptoms if at all are mild and would not really have any effect on a change in the medications prescribed.
What should I do after IUI?
There is no special care that is recommended after an IUi procedure. Please remember to take all the medication that is prescribed. Here are some of the general queries by the patients:
Is bedrest necessary? Bed rest is not necessary after IUI. After the procedure, it is recommended that you avoid heavy lifting or strenuous exercise for 48 hours. You may resume normal activity after this time period.
How long should you rest for? After the IUI procedure you can remain resting in the procedure room for half an hour.
Should you refrain from strenuous activities? You can carry out your routine activities. Exercise in moderation is permitted.
Is sex allowed after IUI? You can have sex at any time after the IUI procedure. In fact, we advise intercourse even a day after the IUI procedure to allow more sperm the chance to fertilize the egg.
What is not recommended after IUI? Smoking, excessive consumption of alcohol should be avoided.
Major Symptoms After IUI Procedure
After an IUI procedure, you may notice some changes in your body. The most common symptoms include:
- Implantation bleeding: Implantation bleeding is a symptom of pregnancy that can occur after an IUI injection. It happens when the sperm successfully fertilizes the egg and implants in the uterus. This type of bleeding is considered to be a good sign because it means that you are pregnant. It occurs for two to four days after the procedure. This bleeding is usually pinkish or brownish and can be light or heavier depending on how soon you have sex after the procedure.
- Cramping: It is usually mild and lasts less than 24 hours. The cramps are caused by your uterus contracting to push out the sperm that made it past your cervix.
- Mild to moderate discomfort: it will occur in your lower back and abdomen. You may feel tired after the procedure.
- Mild discomfort during intercourse: It can happen but should go away within a few days after the procedure.
- Vaginal Discharge: The discharge is typically yellow or white, and is the result of the body’s reaction to the sperm.
- Dizziness, nausea, and vomiting: These symptoms are caused by stress hormones released into your body during implantation and should go away within 24 hours after implantation occurs.
When Should You Take a Pregnancy Test after IUI?
It is advised to take a blood pregnancy test 14 days after the procedure of IUI. Approximately 10 days after conception, HCG begins to appear in pregnant women’s blood and urine.
In order to determine whether or not you are pregnant, your doctor will want to see if your body has started producing hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin) in your blood. The amount of hCG in your system will increase rapidly during the first few weeks of pregnancy and then start to decline slowly until it reaches normal, non-pregnant levels. A blood test can measure the level of hCG in your blood and tell you whether or not you are pregnant.
You might also consider taking an over-the-counter pregnancy test at home as soon as you think you are pregnant, but this may not be accurate enough for most doctors’ purposes.
Read more: hCG Levels After IVF Embryo Transfer
When do you start experiencing the Symptoms of Pregnancy after an IUI procedure?
One may start experiencing symptoms as soon as the pregnancy is confirmed or in most cases a few weeks later. It is important to note that symptoms such as fatigue, nausea, and breast tenderness are not necessarily indicative of pregnancy but could be attributed to other factors such as stress.
Also Read: What is an Embryo Transfer?
Should I Expect Bleeding After IUI?
IUI procedure is non-surgical. Bleeding can be a normal side effect of the IUI procedure. Although it is not common, some women may experience light spotting after the procedure. And it usually occurs right after your treatment.
Symptoms Of IUI Success
The success symptoms of IUI pregnancy are mentioned below:
- Menstrual delay.
- Breast tenderness.
- Fatigue.
- Nausea.
- Food cravings & aversions
- Implantation bleeding
Symptoms experienced 3 days after IUI?
It’s too early to observe any clear pregnancy signs 3 days after IUI. However, you may encounter a few minor side effects due to the procedure or hormonal changes. These include –
Minor cramping or discomfort – Some women experience minor cramping following IUI, which might last a few days.
Spotting – After the procedure, light spotting may occur as a result of the introduction of the catheter during IUI.
Bloating – Hormonal medicines used during IUI might produce a feeling of bloating or a sense of fullness. This is usually due to enlargement of the ovaries.
Symptoms experienced 15 days after IUI
If the procedure was effective, it is possible to notice early pregnancy signs 15 days after IUI treatment. Some of these symptoms might be –
Missed Period – You may be pregnant if your menstruation hasn’t come by day 15. However, hormonal medicines can occasionally interfere with your cycle, so a pregnancy test is required to confirm.
Mood Swings – Early pregnancy hormonal changes might induce mood swings or heightened emotional sensitivity.
Increased basal body temperature – Some women have a modest elevation in their basal body temperature following ovulation, which can last several weeks of the pregnancy.
Frequent Urination – The increased hormone levels in early pregnancy might cause more frequent urination. This can also be due to the pressure of the enlarging uterus on the urinary bladder.
Food Cravings or Aversion – Changes in taste and smell sensitivity may drive you to want or avoid specific meals. This may be an indicator of pregnancy.
While these symptoms may indicate a successful IUI, a pregnancy test is required to confirm the findings. If you are unclear or have any questions about your symptoms, speak with your healthcare professional.
After IUI: How to confirm pregnancy after IUI?
You can follow these measures to confirm pregnancy after IUI –
Wait for 14 days after the IUI to confirm the pregnancy. – Resist the impulse to test too soon since this may result in incorrect results. It is preferable to wait at least 14 days following IUI.
Choosing the Best Pregnancy Test – Choose a pregnancy test that is accurate and sensitive enough to detect low amounts of the hormone HCG (human chorionic gonadotropin). A blood test is the best way to confirm.
If you are performing a urine pregnancy test and the result is positive, please consult your doctor or specialist – who will ask for a blood test to confirm the pregnancy and advise you on the next steps.
What happens day by day after an IUI?
Understanding the procedure following IUI can help reduce anxiety and give you a better idea of what to anticipate. Here’s a day-by-day description of what happens after an IUI procedure –
IUI Day 1: Sperm is injected into the uterus via the cervix, increasing the odds of fertilization. You could feel some slight cramps or spotting. The sperm enters the uterine cavity over the next few hours and reaches the fallopian tube, where the egg is moving along the length of the tube.
IUI Day 2-3: Mild cramping, bloating, or spotting may persist. Avoid heavy lifting, tough exercise, and sexual activity.
IUI Day 4-5: Fertilization occurs in the fallopian tube, and the wearly embryo moves toward the uterus. Implantation occurs on Day 5 of ovulation.
IUI Day 6-12: The embryo implants when it attaches itself to the uterine lining. Implantation bleeding may occur, which is normally lighter and shorter than a regular period.
IUI Day 9 -14: The embryo begins to release the hormone hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin) into your system. Early pregnancy symptoms such as exhaustion, breast soreness, or minor cramping may appear.
IUI Day 15: A urine or blood pregnancy test will be confirmative. Use a high-quality, sensitive test and carefully follow the directions.
Keep in mind that everyone is unique. Thus these timelines may change. Always visit your healthcare professional if you have any questions about your symptoms or development.
FAQs on About IUI Success Symptoms
1. What happens 14 days after IUI?
You can take a pregnancy test 14 days after IUI to see if the IUI was effective or not. This is due to the fact that it takes around 9 days to two weeks for the embryo to start secreting adequate amounts of hCG.
2. How soon after an IUI can you feel pregnancy symptoms?
Pregnancy symptoms can be felt from Day 14 to Day 18 of the IUI. Although they are more likely to show 1-2 weeks later.
3. What are the signs of a failed IUI?
The symptoms of an unsuccessful IUI are identical to those of a menstrual period. You may feel cramps, spotting, or bleeding, as well as other signs that suggest the onset of your period. See your doctor if you are unclear about whether or not your IUI was successful.
4. What are the positive signs of successful implantation?
The positive signs of implantation can include menstrual delay, breast tenderness, fatigue, nausea, mild cramping, implantation bleeding, spotting or a light discharge. Some women may also experience food cravings, aversions, and even a heightened sense of smell. However, not all women will have these symptoms, and others may not detect any implantation symptoms at all.
5. How many days of rest are required after IUI?
Resting is not recommended after an IUI. You can continue your regular activities, but you should avoid anything that could cause uterine cramps or raise your risk of infection. Swimming should be avoided.
6. How do you know if an egg is fertilized after IUI?
A pregnancy test is the only way to determine if an egg has been fertilized following IUI. However, if you suffer symptoms such as moderate bloating or spotting, this might indicate implantation.
7. How soon does sperm meet egg after an IUI?
Because the sperm is injected directly into the uterus and are able to swim up to the fallopian tubes where fertilization occurs, sperm and egg can meet within hours of IUI. However, the fertilized egg may take several days to travel through the fallopian tubes & implant in the uterus.
8. What is the best result of IUI?
The optimum outcome of IUI is a healthy baby born from a successful pregnancy. Success rates vary based on age, reproductive history, and the number of IUI cycles attempted.
9. What is the success rate of 1 follicle IUI?
The success rate of 1 follicle IUI varies, although it is often between 10 and 20%. However, if fertility medicines are utilized to induce the formation of numerous follicles, the success rate can be increased. But that carries the risk of multiple pregnancies.
10. Is it normal for the first IUI to fail?
First, IUI cycles may fail because success rates might vary based on a number of variables, including age and previous fertility. For a patient to become pregnant, it could take a few IUI cycles.
11. How many days after an IUI can I take a pregnancy test?
It is advised to wait at least 14 days following IUI before taking a pregnancy test, as it might take up to two weeks for the pregnancy hormone (HCG) to accumulate sufficiently to be identified in a test.
12. Is it normal to have no pregnancy symptoms after IUI?
Yes, it is typical to have no pregnancy symptoms following IUI because each woman’s body and pregnancy experience is unique. Some women may not notice any symptoms until they are several weeks into their pregnancy.
13. What is the next step after IUI?
The next stage following IUI will be determined by the individual’s reproductive state. If the IUI fails, the individual may choose to try another IUI cycle or move on to more sophisticated fertility treatments, such as IVF.
14. What is the difference between IUI and normal pregnancy?
A typical pregnancy happens when a sperm fertilizes an egg in the fallopian tube, and the resultant embryo implants in the uterus, whereas the IUI process includes putting sperm directly into the uterus to enhance the odds of fertilization. So, Fertilization attempts are enhanced by the direct placement of the sperm into the uterine cavity.
15. Are periods delayed after IUI?
Periods may be delayed with IUI, but this does not guarantee a pregnancy. IUI hormones can disrupt the menstrual cycle, and stress or other causes might also cause delays.
16. Is white discharge normal 5 days after IUI?
A thin transparent discharge after IUI is typical, as it might be caused by cervical mucus or vaginal fluids. The discharge is usually clear and is caused by the body’s response to the hormones. However, if there is a bad odour or it is white or yellow and curdy other symptoms like fever and pain, it is best to consult a doctor because these symptoms may be suggestive t of an infection.
To sum up:
In this time of stress, make sure you rely on your support system and give yourself some time of peace and self-care. Keep home testing to a minimum: after two weeks, you will need to return to the clinic to take a blood test, which will give you an accurate answer.
Read more: IUI vs IVF: The Procedures, Success Rates and Duration
Read more: In Vitro Fertilization (IVF): Process, Risks &; What To Expect