For singles and couples in need of donor sperm, the simplest way to achieve pregnancy is through ICI (also called Intracervical Insemination). In ICI treatment, the insemination is performed by you or your partner and takes place in a private room in our clinic
Before you proceed, please be aware that according to Danish law, we can only treat women up to their 46th birthday.
What is ICI treatment?
ICI treatment, also referred to as self-insemination, allows you to perform insemination with donor sperm yourself. More specifically, the donor sperm is placed in the vagina using an insemination kit. The insemination is carried out at the time of ovulation, as this is when the chance of pregnancy is highest.
In our clinic, the donor sperm will be thawed and delivered to a private room. The healthcare professional will then leave the room to allow you or a partner to perform the insemination. Hopefully, ICI treatment feels more relaxed and intimate and allows for a more emotionally connected experience compared to being a patient going through fertility treatment at a clinic or hospital. If you have any questions about the process, feel free to contact us.
How much does ICI treatment cost?
The price of one round of ICI treatment with donor sperm at Cryos is EUR 400 (incl. VAT). Additionally, there is the cost of donor sperm, which depends on the type of donor you choose.
You can learn more about donor sperm prices here.
ICI with donor sperm at Cryos – the process
ICI with donor sperm is a simple process as described below. If you are doing ICI in our clinic, you will of course also receive careful instructions from our staff before the insemination takes place. We speak English and Danish.
Planning and preparing for ICI
- Fill out the contact form: The first step in planning your ICI treatment with donor sperm at Cryos is to request a free consultation with one of our healthcare professionals.
- Initial consultation: Once you have completed the contact request form, we will send you an email with a link to our Medical History Form. Before the initial consultation, a healthcare professional from Cryos will review the information from the Medical History Form, and together, we plan a personalised course of treatment that suits your needs.
- Timing the insemination with your ovulation: Timing is important in ICI, as the insemination should take place as close to the ovulation as possible, to increase your chances of success. Ovulation usually occurs 13-14 days after the first day of bleeding in your menstrual cycle. If you are unsure about the timing of your ovulation, we recommend using an ovulation test. They are available at any pharmacy or major supermarket. Once you know the expected time of your ovulation, we will schedule a date and time for your insemination.
How to order ICI treatment with donor sperm
After your consultation with one of our healthcare professionals - and before your insemination – it is time to select the sperm donor, that feels right for you. At Cryos, you have free access to all our donor profiles in our Donor Search.
When you are ready, simply follow the steps below to place your order:
- 1. Create a free account.
- 2. Find your donor and select the type and number of sperm straws needed for your treatment and add them to the basket. See our recommendations here.
- 3. Choose a shipping date in line with your treatment plan.
- 4. Select the shipping method: Cryos Clinic Aarhus (ICI and shipping)
- 5. Confirm your order and proceed to payment.
If you plan more treatments with the same donor in the future, consider making a reservation.
To ensure traceability between donor and recipient, Cryos only supplies sperm to clinics and authorised healthcare professionals, in accordance with Danish legislation.
Self-insemination (ICI) at Cryos
When you arrive at the clinic on the day of your insemination, you will be met by a healthcare professional and shown to a private room. Here you can relax and have something to drink, while the healthcare professional begins thawing the sperm straw(s). The thawing process takes about 30 minutes and is done after your arrival to ensure that we maintain the high quality of the sperm.
Once the donor sperm has been thawed and delivered to your room, the healthcare professional will leave the room to allow you or a partner to perform the insemination. If you have any questions, a healthcare professional is available.
After your insemination
After performing the insemination, you can return to your everyday life. Two weeks later, you can take a urine pregnancy test to see if the insemination was successful. If the result is positive, you must share the happy news with us, as we are required to follow up on the success of the treatment.
If you do not become pregnant, the treatment can be repeated in your next cycle. Our healthcare professionals will also be able to guide you on other treatment options if ICI is not successful after several attempts.
Is ICI treatment with donor sperm the right choice for you?
ICI treatment with donor sperm is relevant for women with no known fertility issues. By filling out the Medical History Form, which includes questions regarding your general medical history, lifestyle, menstrual cycle, and previous attempts to get pregnant (if any), you provide our authorized healthcare professionals with knowledge that can help determine whether ICI is the recommended type of treatment in your situation. Together, we will plan a personalised course of treatment that suits your needs.
Frequently asked questions about ICI treatment
Is ICI treatment the same as home insemination?
No, ICI-D treatment is not the same as home insemination. ICI with donor sperm takes place at Cryos in our clinic, where an authorised healthcare person is available for guidance and questions during the procedure. Home insemination is performed in your own home, without the supervision of a healthcare person.
Are there possible side effects or complications of ICI treatment
Side effects are extremely rare as ICI-D treatment is equivalent to natural conception.
What if pregnancy is not achieved?
You can always book a new appointment for ICI-D treatment in the next menstrual cycle. If no pregnancy has been achieved after the agreed number of treatments, we recommend consulting a healthcare professional from Cryos to discuss the further course of treatment.
How often can treatment with ICI treatment be repeated?
If you do not achieve a pregnancy, we can repeat the treatment every month until it makes sense to do otherwise. For longer courses of treatment, we recommend regular discussions with a healthcare professional from Cryos about the course of treatment.