Common IUI Side effects:
- Pain/Side-effects of IUI due to improper procedure
- Side-effects of IUI due to HCG shots
- Abdominal cramps
- Infections
- Bleeding after IUI
IUI side effects are closely related to the fertility drugs administered by the doctor. Also some of the discomfort and pain might also be caused due to improper IUI procedure.
In IUI, the male sperms (spermatozoa) are placed in the woman's cervix or uterus. This is accomplished by a catheter, the same instrument that is also used for inserting dye while performing HSG test. See the catheter here: HSG Catheter and pain.
1) Pain/Side-effects of IUI due to improper procedure.
NATURAL CONCEPTION è Prostaglandin is filtered before reaching Uterus
IUI CONCEPTION è Prostaglandin might directly reach Uterus
What prostaglandin can do to you?
àSpotting or some patches of brown and red blood.
àSevere abdominal cramping on either side of abdomen
àInfection
Lifetime of symptoms è First Trimester, if the pregnancy sustains.
If semen is not washed properly it may contain residual compounds like prostaglandin. This is secreted form prostate glands, and contains some quantities of proteolytic enzymes and zinc. In a natural conception, such enzymes are filtered out before they reach the uterus.
In IUI, these residues can cause serious abdominal cramps, spotting or infection. If you are found to be pregnant after IUI, these enzymes will come out in form of mild spotting, within the first trimester, before the placenta develops.
If IUI does not result in pregnancy, the residual will come out naturally through normal menstrual cycle.
Prevention and Treatment:
è Choose reputed and proven centers for IUI that have good track record.
è Spotting mild or otherwise, seek medical advice.
2) Side-effects of IUI due to HCG shots
The HCG injections taken to stimulate egg production inside ovaries can cause OHSS (Ovarian hyper stimulation syndrome). This is nothing but swelling in ovaries due to more HCG given than required. (You might have already attained pregnancy while you were on HCG, so it can’t be always measured or predicted the exact dosage of HCG required for attaining a pregnancy, so some women develop OHSS.)
The symptoms of OHSS may be
à Weight gain (more than 3-4 pounds a day)
à Vomiting
àAbdominal cramps and swelling
àDifficulty in breathing.
What OHSS can do to you?
It will depend on the severity of the symptoms, and in most cases if diagnosed and treated within time, can be kept under control for full duration of pregnancy.
If not diagnosed, the symptoms might aggravate to result in:
èFluid collection in abdomen
èRenal problems resulting in renal failure
èBlood clotting
3) Abdominal cramps
Is this a side effect that happens only when the conception happened due to IUI?
The answer is No.
Even in normal conception, 80 % of women feel cramps during early stages of their pregnancy. Cramping is a natural body reaction to:
àExpanding uterus stretching abdominal vessels making way for the baby to fit in
àImplantation of Egg in uterus
When to take cramping seriously:
àIf the cramping is continuous and persists for more than 24 hours.
àIf the cramping is accompanied by bleeding or spotting.
Whether IUI aggravates cramping?
No
Most of the women will experience some cramping during and after the procedure. Do not take over the counter medicines to soothe you from the pain. Ask your doctor, as they are more likely to prescribe such pain killers that do not interfere with impending pregnancy.
4) Infections
Symptoms:
àPain or irritation during urination
àSmelly vaginal discharge
These may be due to not maintaining sterile precautions, poorly administered procedure or pre existing infections. The symptoms are generally burning sensation or pain during urinary discharge, or smelly vaginal discharge. Your doctor will generally recommend antibiotics and anti-bacterial solutions for the treatment of the same.
5) Bleeding after IUI
Mild red discharge once-twice a day is considered normal. It should stop by itself in 2-3 days but if you can’t live without your pads on then you must visit the doctor immediately. The doctor will usually look for any sign of injury and ask you to avoid the intercourse.
