Fertility Treatment Frequently Asked Questions

A: Here are some instructions and tips to follow after getting IUI fertility treatment:

1. Unless instructed otherwise, plan to have intercourse the day of your IUI and the day after. If you are not able to, you may still achieve pregnancy but there may be a slight increased chance of success if you can have intercourse during this time period.

2. Do not take a bath, douche or swim the day of your IUI or the day after.

3. If you need something for pain, avoid nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) such as ibuprofen, Advil or Naprosyn (Aleve). You may take Tylenol as needed.

4. You may experience some light spotting and discharge after the insemination. This is normal. You may also note some cramping the day of your IUI.

5. If you have a fever with a temperature greater than 101 degrees or foul smelling vaginal discharge, please call our office as this may be an early sign of a pelvic infection.

6. You may do a home pregnancy test 16 days after the insemination if your period does not come. If taken prior to this time, you may get a false positive to medications used during your treatment cycle.

7. You should be on either prenatal vitamins or a folic acid supplement containing at least 400 mcg of folic acid (most folic acid supplements have more folic acid than this).

8. We recommend that you NOT take any herbal supplements for fertility enhancement. If you are interested, your doctor is happy to discuss this recommendation with you.

A: Medications will increase the estrogen production of your ovaries and that estrogen will increase the amount of vaginal mucus noted by most women. This is an expected side effect of the medications. However, if you have symptoms of urinary frequency or pain, vaginal irritation, bad odor or significant color change in your discharge, we’d be happy to evaluate you for these concerns.

A: Vaginal bleeding is common in early pregnancy, and while it can be associated with early miscarriage, in most women it is not. We’re always happy to discuss your symptoms with you, and often an ultrasound examination in our office will clarify the source of the bleeding and its prognosis.

A: In early pregnancy it may be difficult to determine whether the pregnancy is in the uterus, where it should be, or in the fallopian tube, which is called an ectopic pregnancy. Ectopic pregnancies are not sustainable and can put the mother at risk, so in those situations we recommend “ectopic precautions.”

While many ectopic pregnancies will spontaneously resolve without any treatment, on occasion they may cause serious internal bleeding. The bleeding is usually associated with significant pelvic pain and in serious situations might even lead to dizziness, light-headedness or loss of consciousness.

If these symptoms occur, it is critical that you seek medical attention as soon as possible, as you may need emergency treatment for the internal bleeding. Those are the concerns we have when we mention “ectopic precautions.”

A: Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome is a condition that can occur when the ovaries are stimulated with medication. Frustration from prolonged pain and inability to get comfortable are the most bothersome aspects of OHSS for most individuals, but OHSS must be taken seriously. Learn about ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome by reading our OHSS library page. You can also download our OHSS Prevention & Treatment patient fact sheet.