Artificial insemination (Al), is a procedure in which the sperm are placed directly into a woman’s reproductive tract. A common Al procedure is intrauterine insemination (IUI) in which sperm are inserted directly into the uterus around the time of ovulation to assist their journey to the egg. The procedure is often combined with the female partner taking fertility drugs.

IUI is commonly used when there may be endometriosis, problems with semen volume, concentration or motility (movement), physical problems with sexual intercourse or unexplained infertility. After being ‘washed’ (the sperm is separated from the liquid part of the semen to remove hormones and other substances), sperm is inserted into the uterus to reduce the distance they have to travel to reach the egg.