What…

Artificial Insemination is the process of introducing sperm into the female reproductive tract by any means not including coitus [1].

There are two main types of AI and they are AID and AIH. AID (artificial insemination donor) is when the sperm used for insemination comes from a donor; this process is used for single women, lesbian couples, as well as heterosexual couples where the male cannot produce enough sperm or his sperm is not motile. AIH (artificial insemination husband) is when the sperm comes from a woman’s husband or partner[1]. Often, artificial insemination involves procedures that must be performed to the semen before it can be introduced into the female body. These specific procedures decrease the potential risk of introducing the fresh ejaculate. Further, timing is very important to the success of artificial insemination. In order for fertilization to happen, the female must be ovulating during the time of the procedure.

Currently there are four main  types of artificial insemination based on the location of the insemination[4].

• IUI – intrauterine insemination
• This is the most popular of the four options and involves sperm being injected into the uterus directly.

• IVI – intravaginal insemination
• This term is used for an ICI procedure that is done at home, not in the presence of a medical professional.

• ICI – intracervical insemination
• This is the 2^nd most popular of the four options and involves sperm being injected into the cervix directly.

• ITI – intratubal insemination
• This is when sperm is injected directly into the fallopian tube of the woman on the side of ovulation.

More detail on the different types of artificial insemination and the process by which a woman is artificially inseminated will be discussed in detail in the How section