Where in Dubai
Dr. Surekha Boreddy Veera sees couples for fertility assessment at NMC Specialty Hospital in Al Nahda, Dubai. Come together to the first visit if you can, and bring any earlier test results from the UAE or from home. Fertility tests and treatment are covered differently by different insurance plans, and some plans exclude treatment, so check your policy before you start.
What is fertility assessment and IUI?
Many couples take several months to conceive. Doctors usually suggest tests if you have not become pregnant after a year of regular sex without contraception, or after six months if the woman is 35 or older. Tests look at both partners. For the woman, they check ovulation with blood tests, look at the womb and ovaries with an ultrasound scan, and check that the tubes are open. For the man, a semen test checks the sperm. Treatment depends on the cause. It may include medicines to help ovulation, surgery for problems such as fibroids or endometriosis, or intrauterine insemination (IUI). In IUI, prepared sperm is placed directly into the womb around the time of ovulation.
Who it can help
- Couples who have not conceived after a year of trying, or six months if the woman is 35 or older.
- Women with irregular or absent periods.
- Women with known endometriosis, fibroids, or earlier pelvic infection or surgery.
- Couples with a known sperm problem that is mild.
- Women who have had more than one miscarriage.
How Dr. Surekha approaches it
Dr. Surekha Boreddy Veera's CV lists infertility treatment, IUI and assistance with assisted reproduction (ART). She completed a Fellowship in IVF and ART at World Laparoscopy Hospital, Gurgaon, and an observership in IVF and ART in Hyderabad, both in 2021. She also performs hysteroscopy, laparoscopy and tuboplasty, which can find and treat some causes. If IVF looks like the right next step, she explains what it involves.
What to expect
First visit
She takes a history from you both, including periods, past pregnancies, surgery and how long you have been trying.
Tests
Blood tests for ovulation and hormones, an ultrasound scan, a semen test, and a check that the tubes are open.
Explaining the results
She goes through what the tests show and the options that fit, in plain words.
Treatment
This may be ovulation medicines, surgery for a cause found on tests, or IUI.
IUI day
The sperm sample is prepared and placed into the womb through a thin tube. It takes a few minutes and you can go home after a short rest.
Recovery, in general terms
Every patient is different. These are typical milestones, not a promise; your own plan comes from your consultation.
- After IUI you can carry on with normal daily life.
- Mild cramps or light spotting for a day can happen.
- A pregnancy test is usually done about two weeks after IUI.
- Several cycles are often needed. The plan is reviewed if treatment is not working.
Risks to know about
- Ovulation medicines can lead to twins or more.
- Rarely, the ovaries over-respond, becoming swollen and painful (ovarian hyperstimulation).
- Mild infection after IUI is uncommon.
When to book a visit
Book a visit if you have been trying for a year, or six months if you are 35 or older, or sooner if your periods are irregular. During treatment, seek help for severe tummy pain, bloating, shortness of breath or fever.
Where to book
Dr. Surekha Boreddy Veera sees patients at NMC Specialty Hospital in Al Nahda 2, Dubai, next to the Bait Al Khair Building. The hospital is open 24 hours and sits close to Al Qusais and the Sharjah border.
NMC Specialty Hospital, Al Nahda
7A Street, Al Nahda 2, next to Bait Al Khair Building, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Questions patients ask
Does insurance in Dubai cover IUI?
Some plans cover fertility tests but not treatment such as IUI. Others include limited cover. Ask your insurer exactly what your plan includes before you begin.
Do both partners need tests?
Yes. A problem can be found in the man, the woman, both, or neither. Testing both partners at the start saves time.
Is IUI the same as IVF?
No. In IUI, sperm is placed in the womb and fertilisation happens inside the body. In IVF, eggs are collected and fertilised in a laboratory, and an embryo is placed in the womb.
Who is IUI suitable for?
IUI may suit couples with mild sperm problems, unexplained infertility, or difficulty with intercourse. It is not suitable if both tubes are blocked. Your test results guide the choice.