i've not used frozen sperm - but i doubt they'd only just defrost it - they'd have to warm it to room temp to ensure that the boys are swimming again - which is the same temp as sperm in a normal IUI

i've had pain when my cervix has been uncooperative - essentially it took three people to line my cervix up - one holding the speculum upside down, one working inside to line up cervix, and my DH or me pushing on my stomach so that it all lined up! it's not comfy, and you might find it's something you struggle with for each attempt if your cervix isn't cooperative enough. if your cervix is still high and closed (so not quite at ovulation), they have to basically force it open to a degree kwim?

i found this time was the first time i had no discomfort (after 5 IUI's and 3 IVF transfers - which is essentially the same process) - from what i can gather from conversation with the nurse, my body was just more ready - i'd had more stim drugs (longer time frame), different type of speculum (from what the nurse said, it was slightly longer, so gave better access, my cervix was more ready cycle timing wise (was low and open as it should be at ovulation) - so many factors there that may have contributed

i would definitely mention the pain factor to the FS - from what i read in your journal, i don't know if you were being left to ovulate naturally, or whether a trigger shot was administered. if it's left to be natural, and your hormone levels weren't sufficient, you may not have adequately ovulated, or your body may not have been physically "ready". IUI happens before you actually ovulate, so it may have been something to do with that...

it was our seventh attempt at IUI (two cancelled), with three Ivf transfers in there before we had "sticky" success.