Insemination, or more commonly known as artificial insemination, is a reproductive technology used to help couples who are unable to conceive naturally. The procedure is often preferred in cases of male factor infertility, cervical factor infertility, or unexplained infertility. It can be performed in various ways.
Intrauterine Insemination (IUI) is the most commonly used type of insemination. IUI involves placing washed and concentrated sperm samples directly into the woman's uterus. This method increases the chances of the sperm reaching the egg because it places the sperm directly into the uterus. The pressure from the syringe is higher than the pressure from ejaculation, allowing even sperm with low motility to reach the egg.
Intratubal Insemination involves placing the sperm directly into the woman’s fallopian tubes. This method is particularly preferred when the fallopian tubes are open, and sperm motility is inadequate.
Intravaginal and Intracervical Insemination are less common methods where sperm is placed into the woman’s vagina or cervix. These methods are typically performed with insemination kits that can be used at home, but generally, the success rate is lower compared to other methods.
Before the insemination procedure, the woman’s ovulation period is determined. Following this, she may take hormonal medications to trigger ovulation. The male partner provides a sperm sample a few hours before the procedure, and the sperm is then washed and prepared in a laboratory environment.
