Pregnancy outcomes by intravaginal and intrauterine insemination in 82 couples with male factor infertility due to spinal cord injuries.

OBJECTIVE

To report our center's pregnancy rates (PR) by intravaginal insemination (IVI) or intrauterine insemination (IUI) in 82 couples with male partners with spinal cord injuries.

DESIGN

Retrospective analysis.

SETTING

Major medical center.

PATIENT(S): Male patients with spinal cord injuries and their female partners.

INTERVENTION(S): Intravaginal insemination and IUI.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Pregnancy and live birth outcomes.

RESULT(S): Overall, 31 of the 82 couples (37.8% PR) achieved 39 pregnancies. Sperm were obtained by masturbation, penile vibratory stimulation, or electroejaculation in 4 men (4.9%), 42 men (51.2%), and 36 men (43.9%), respectively. Intravaginal insemination, performed mostly at home by selected couples, was undertaken in 45 couples, 17 of whom (37.8% PR) achieved 20 pregnancies. Intrauterine insemination was performed in 57 couples, 14 of whom (24.6% PR) achieved 19 pregnancies, with a cycle fecundity of 7.9%. Eighteen and 21 live births occurred by IVI and IUI, respectively.

CONCLUSION(S): The methods of IVI and IUI are reasonable options for this patient population. These methods warrant consideration before proceeding to assisted reproductive technologies (ART).