Should Intrauterine Inseminations be Performed under Ultrasound Guidance?

Objective: To evaluate the impact of ultrasound guidance on ease of cervical catheterization, pregnancy and live birth rate in intrauterine inseminations (IIU) cycles. Methods: This prospective, monocentric, randomized study was conducted between February 2011 and November 2012 in the ART Unit of the University Hospital of Nantes. Eligible patients undergoing IUI cycles were randomized for ultrasound guidance during IUI. Ease of cervical catheterization, pregnancy and live birth rates were then compared between ultrasound and control (no ultrasound guidance) groups. Results: A total of 190 cycles performed in 142 patients were analyzed. Among them, 92 IUI cycles were performed under ultrasound guidance, whereas 98 were performed without ultrasound guidance (control group). The proportion of IUI cycles with easy catheterization was similar in the two groups. Finally, the pregnancy rate and the live birth rate were not statistically different between ultrasound and control group. Conclusion: Ultrasound guidance neither facilitates cervical catheterization nor significantly increases pregnancy and live birth rates in IUI cycles.