What is Artificial Insemination?
Artificial Insemination (AI), otherwise known as Intrauterine Insemination (IUI), is a relatively low-intervention fertility treatment procedure, during which a sample of washed sperm from the partner or a sperm donor is inserted into a woman’s uterus directly, to improve the chances of conceiving.
Fresh or frozen sperm may be used for artificial insemination, with the latter being the norm for donor insemination.
Why is Artificial Insemination used?
Artificial insemination and IUI are able to bypass some of the trickier aspects of natural conception, as well as reduce the distance sperm have to swim to get to the egg (oocyte), meaning lower numbers of sperm may be required.
IUI ensures that a sample of the best quality sperm is deposited directly into the uterus at the most optimal time for conception to occur.