How is it performed? of Artificial insemination

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Artificial insemination should be carried out as close to ovulation as possible. It is performed by injecting semen into the top of the vagina or uterus through a small plastic tube. Artificial insemination may be performed differently depending on the nature of the fertility problem. The procedure for the two most common forms of AI are as follows:

Intra-cervical insemination:

The male partner produces a semen sample by means of masturbation. It is advisable not to have sex three days before the sample is taken to make sure the sperm is good quality. The sample can be collected whilst at the clinic, or delivered from home within one to two hours. The process of insemination is simple and quick to perform. The female partner lies down with her knees up, and the semen is injected into the top of the vagina. A plastic cap is sometimes placed in the vagina to keep the sperm near the cervix. It can be taken out around six hours later.

Intrauterine insemination (IUI):

Intrauterine insemination has a higher success rate than other AI techniques, because it places sperm near the Fallopian tubes. It may also be combined with hormone treatment to encourage an egg to be released. Sperm from the male partner or donor is inserted into the uterus using a thin plastic tube that is passed through the cervix. The procedure is usually fast and painless, although around 10% of women experience menstrual-like cramps afterwards.

It is unusual for the first attempt at intrauterine insemination to be successful. The treatment can be repeated for a further three menstrual cycles, although these donâ€™t have to be consecutive for conception to occur.

For intrauterine insemination, the sperm has to be â€˜washedâ€™ before being placed in the uterus. Semen is made up of two parts; plasma and the sperm cells themselves. The sperm cells are washed to separate them from the plasma. This has to be done because neat semen can cause severe uterine pain, cramps and sometimes fainting . The sperm are then incubated before being carefully placed in the uterus.