Artificial insemination is one of the most commonly used methods of infertility treatment. It is the process of introducing sperm into the uterus using a catheter. The procedure can be carried out during a natural or stimulated menstrual cycle. The sperm of a spouse or a donor is used for insemination.

Content

1. Who may need artificial insemination?
2. Benefits of artificial insemination compared to IVF
3. Where to seek medical help to undergo artificial insemination?

Who may need artificial insemination?

Indications for artificial insemination with the sperm of a male partner are the following:

1. Impossibility of natural conception due to problems with ejaculation or erection: retrograde ejaculation or erectile dysfunction.
2. Subfertile sperm: a low sperm count that is not normal but is considered promising for conception, provided that spermatozoa are accumulated and purified before intrauterine injection.

Indications for artificial insemination for women are the following: 

1. Sexual disorders that make intercourse impossible, for example, vaginismus (vaginal muscle spasm when trying to insert the penis).
2. Cervical factor infertility, for example, when women have strictures, uterine fibroids, or developmental anomalies that prevent the advancement of spermatozoa and a high concentration of antisperm antibodies in cervical mucus. When performing artificial insemination, sperm is introduced into the uterus, bypassing the cervical canal.
3. Female idiopathic infertility (impaired reproductive function of unknown origin). 

Indications for artificial insemination with donor sperm are the following:

• on the part of men: genetic diseases, the complete absence of spermatozoa in the ejaculate and testicles, repeated unsuccessful IVF attempts with ICSI, and incurable sexually transmitted infections;
• on the part of women: negative Rh factor with severe Rh immunization;
• the absence of a partner who agrees to become the father of a child.

When using donor sperm, a woman can choose a donor, but only according to the description and without seeing a photo or passport data.

Benefits of artificial insemination compared to IVF

Artificial insemination does not apply to assisted reproductive technologies. It differs from in vitro fertilization in that the egg is inseminated not in a test tube but in a woman's body. This artificial insemination method is identical to natural insemination. The only difference is that the sperm used for inseminating a woman is delivered to the genital tract by a catheter and does not enter it as a result of sexual intercourse.

Although artificial insemination is less effective than in vitro (artificial) fertilization, it is simpler and safer, and the treatment cost is much lower. In addition, when using high-quality sperm in women under 35, the probability of pregnancy reaches 25% in one cycle, which is not much less than the average efficiency of IVF.

Where to seek medical help to undergo artificial insemination?

You can undergo your treatment in Germany by contacting one of the German Centers for Infertility Treatment. You can select the most suitable German hospital on the Booking Health website. On our website, you can see the current cost of treatment in Germany, and you can compare treatment costs at different medical centers.

The Booking Health specialists will take care of all the arrangements for your trip. We will contact the German hospital, schedule an appointment for your preferred dates, and book a hotel room and airline tickets. We will also take care of your transfer from the airport to the hotel and back. We will solve all organizational issues, relieving unnecessary stress that reduces the effectiveness of infertility treatment.

Authors:

The article was edited by medical experts, board certified doctors Dr. Nadezhda Ivanisova and Dr. Vadim Zhiliuk. For the treatment of the conditions referred to in the article, you must consult a doctor; the information in the article is not intended for self-medication!

Sources:

Verywell Health

The Lancet

MedicineNet