Artificial insemination is a process in which the doctor places the semen of the husband or donor into the uterine cervix (intracervical insemination) or inside the uterus (intrauterine insemination), around the time of ovulation.

In general, artificial insemination using the husband's semen is recommended in cases of modifications in the uterine cervix that inhibit or make it more difficult for the spermatozoa to reach the uterus. In some cases it is also recommended in cases of men with low sperm count, slow-moving spermatozoa, or other spermatozoa-related problems, but the success rate in these cases is somewhat reduced. Infertile couples due to impotence of the man, or alterations in ejaculation (including the case when it is impossible for the man to ejaculate inside the vagina, which can be caused by many factors like retrograde ejaculation-when the semen goes in the opposite direction, inside the bladder), hypospadias, and erectile dysfunction. Men who want to preserve their semen for future use, or before undergoing vasectomy, testis surgery, or radiation/chemical treatment for cancer are also candidates for artificial insemination, using cryopreserved sperm. If the woman is undergoing ovulation induction, artificial insemination can significantly increase the chances of pregnancy.

Sperm can be collected using several methods. Usually, it is collected by masturbation, using an sterile "cup" supplied by the laboratory. This can be made in the collect room at the doctor's office or at home (it is important that the material be at the doctor office within one hour maximum after collection). If a man has a retrograde ejaculation, the sperm can be retrieved in the laboratory from urine he has collected.

Insemination is scheduled to occur around the time of ovulation. Ovulation is detected by ultrasounds. In general, only one insemination is performed per month. The sperm used is the husband's, and in cases when the husband does not produce spermatozoa (azoospermia), the sperm bank can be used. The procedure is relatively simple, and takes only a few minutes. On the ovulation day, the couple go to the clinic and the man collects a semen sample. The sample is prepared, selecting the best spermatozoa. The selected sample can be placed in several places of the female genital tract. The insemination is designated according to the place chosen to place the sample. For example, inside the uterus = intrauterine. The patient is put in gynecological position, and a catheter (a long, thin plastic tube) containing the prepared sperm is inserted into the uterus. The spermatozoa are then injected. The patient lays for a few minutes and then she is allowed to return home.

With intrauterine insemination, the chances of pregnancy are higher than with intracervical insemination.

A pregnancy can be detected by blood test from 12 to 15 days after the insemination.

The information herein is provided only for the general knowledge about the procedure and it cannot be regarded as a medical advice. Only your doctor can prescribe the treatment of choice for your specific case.