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Insemination
GENERAL INFORMATION:
What is it? Insemination (in-sem-uh-nay-shun) is when sperm is collected and processed. The sperm is placed into your vagina, cervical canal or directly into your uterus. Artificial insemination is when the sperm used comes from your partner. It is called therapeutic donor insemination when sperm is used from a sperm bank. The choice of where the sperm comes from depends upon your fertility problem.
When is insemination used? Insemination is a treatment for infertility. Infertility means that you have had regular sex for 1 year without birth control and have not gotten pregnant. Birth control includes birth control pills, diaphragm, condoms, and the rhythm method.
- There are many causes of infertility. Insemination may be used if the mucus around your cervix is not compatible with your partner's sperm. Or, you may have problems with your immune (ih-mune) system. This can cause sperm to be killed before your egg is fertilized.
- Donor insemination may be used if your partner has fertility problems or if you are a single woman.
What is the female reproductive system? A woman's reproductive system includes the uterus and cervix, fallopian tubes, ovaries, and vagina.
- The uterus is the pear-shaped organ in your abdomen (belly) where a baby grows during pregnancy. It is also called the womb. The cervix is the opening at the bottom of the uterus.
- The ovaries are two egg-shaped organs on each side of the uterus. The ovaries make and release a female sex cell or egg each month. This is called ovulation (ah-vew-lay-shun). About 10 to 14 days later you will menstruate (have your period) if your egg was not fertilized. This means that you are not pregnant.
- You have 2 fallopian tubes or "tubes." The egg travels from the ovary into a fallopian tube. The egg may be fertilized if sperm are in the tube from recent sex. If fertilized with sperm, the egg travels down the tube and attaches to the endometrium (n-doe-mee-tree-um). This is the lining of the uterus. It is called implantation when the egg attaches to the endometrium.
- The vagina , or birth canal, is the canal leading from the cervix to the outside of your body.
How is insemination done?
- You may be given medicine to make your ovaries produce multiple eggs. Insemination is done at the same time as your ovulation.
- Caregivers will predict when you are ovulating. Your partner will be asked to do without sex or masturbation for 2-5 days before the insemination. At the time of your ovulation, your partner will be asked to masturbate to collect semen into a sterile cup. This may be done at home or in the caregiver's office. The semen is washed and the sperm is separated out and concentrated. Or, if donor semen is being used, it will be gotten washed and frozen from the sperm bank. This semen is than thawed before use.
- You will lie on a table with your legs up in stirrups. A speculum is put into your vagina so that caregivers can better see your cervix. The separated and washed sperm is placed either in the cervix or high in the uterus using a very thin, soft catheter. You may be asked to remain lying down for 5-20 minutes following the insemination. This procedure usually seems like having a Pap smear. There should be little or no pain.
How successful is insemination in getting a woman pregnant? You may or may not get pregnant after insemination. Or, you may need several inseminations in order to get pregnant. Success rates are different for each person. Following are some of the things that may affect the success of insemination.
- Age. Women over 40 have a lower success rate
- Type of medicine used (if any) to make you ovulate. Insemination has been more successful with women who used medicines to increase ovulation.
- How long you have been unable to get pregnant.
- Number and quality of sperm in the sample.
- Quality of your eggs.
- Previous diseases causing scaring in your abdomen (belly), such as pelvic inflammatory disease.
- Damaged fallopian tubes.
Coping: You may feel scared, confused, and angry because you have fertility problems. You may blame yourself or your partner and think that one or both of you have done something wrong. These feelings are common. Talk about them with your caregiver or with someone close to you. Write or call one of the following organizations for people with fertility problems. Such a group can give you support and information. Or, ask your caregiver about local support groups.
- American Society for Reproductive Medicine
1209 Montgomery Highway
Birmingham, AL 35216-2809
Phone: 1-205-978-5000
Web Address: http://www.asrm.org
- RESOLVE The National Infertility Association
7910 Woodmont Ave, Ste 1350
Bethesda, MD 20814
Phone: 1-301-652-8585
Web Address: www.resolve.org
- International Council on Infertility Information Dissemination
P.O. Box 6836
Arlington, VA 22206
Phone: 1-703-379-9178
Web Address: http://www.inciid.org
CARE AGREEMENT:
You have the right to help plan your care. To help with this plan, you must learn about your health condition and how it may be treated. You can then discuss treatment options with your caregivers. Work with them to decide what care may be used to treat you. You always have the right to refuse treatment.
Copyright © 2008 Thomson Healthcare Inc. All rights reserved. Information is for End User's use only and may not be sold, redistributed or otherwise used for commercial purposes.
The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.