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<p><span class="body">When looking at a donor&rsquo;s available straws in the&nbsp;<a title="Search for sperm donor" href="/en-gb/dk-shop/private/find-donor/search-sperm-donors/" data-id="2968">Sperm Donor Search</a>&nbsp;you will come across the terms IUI and ICI. In the following, we explain the difference between IUI straws and ICI straws and what to choose for which treatment.</span></p>

Cryos laboratory technician handling IUI and ICI sperm straws

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<h2><span class="display-3">What is an IUI straw?</span></h2>
<p><span class="body">IUI straws contain washed sperm that has been prepared in a laboratory. The natural ejaculate fluids have been removed and a cryo-preservative has been added.</span></p>
<h3><span class="display-4">What type of treatment are IUI straws used for?</span></h3>
<p><span class="body">IUI straws are ready to use for <a title="Read more about IUI treatment here" href="/en-gb/dk-shop/private/blog/iui-with-donor-sperm/">IUI treatment</a>, where the sperm is inserted directly into the uterus. This fertility treatment allows a lot of sperm cells to reach the egg and therefore, thus <a href="/en-gb/dk-shop/private/blog/how-to-increase-chances-of-getting-pregnant/">increasing the chances of getting pregnant</a> compared to <a href="/en-gb/dk-shop/private/faq/fertility-treatment/what-is-ici-treatment/">ICI treatment</a>. IUI treatment is always performed by a trained healthcare professional.</span></p>
<p><span class="body">IUI straws can also be used for ICI, <a title="Read about IVF treatment here" href="/en-gb/dk-shop/private/blog/ivf-with-donor-sperm/">IVF</a> and ICSI treatment depending on your clinic&rsquo;s preference.</span></p>
<h2><span class="display-3">What is an ICI straw?</span></h2>
<p><span class="body">ICI straws are unwashed/unprepared sperm. ICI straws contain the natural fluids that are present in a normal ejaculate.</span></p>
<h3><span class="display-4">What type of treatment are ICI sperm straws used for?</span></h3>
<p><span class="body">ICI straws can be used for intra cervical insemination (ICI). In this fertility treatment, a syringe is used to insert the sperm into the woman&rsquo;s vagina. The motile sperm (<a title="Read more about sperm motility here" href="/en-gb/dk-shop/private/blog/low-sperm-motility--what-is-it/">sperm motility</a>) cells will swim into the uterus and hopefully, fertilize the egg. This is similar to intercourse.</span></p>
<p><span class="body">ICI straws can only be used for IUI, IVF or <a title="Read about ICSI treatment here" href="/en-gb/dk-shop/private/blog/what-is-icsi-treatment-learn-how-it-works-step-by-step/">ICSI treatment</a> if your clinic can wash the straws before the treatment. Please consult your clinic regarding which type of straw they prefer.</span></p>
<p><span class="body">ICI sperm cannot be used for IUI (intra uterine insemination) treatment as inserting unwashed sperm directly into the uterus may cause a negative reaction leading to severe cramps.</span></p>
<h2><span class="display-3">Ask your fertility clinic</span></h2>
<p><span class="body">We always recommend that you ask your clinic for advice as to <a href="/en-gb/dk-shop/private/about-sperm/sperm-quality-and-motility/">what sperm motility is needed</a>. You are also welcome to contact <a title="Contact Cryos" href="/en-gb/dk-shop/private/about-us/contact-cryos/" data-id="2582">Cryos Customer Care</a> if you need further guidance when choosing between IUI and ICI.&nbsp;</span><span class="body">Read about <a href="/en-gb/dk-shop/private/blog/how-much-sperm-should-you-order/">the amount of sperm it takes to become pregnant</a> or <a title="How much donor sperm to order" href="/en-gb/dk-shop/private/how-to/how-to-order-donor-sperm/how-much-sperm-to-order/">how much donor sperm to order here</a>.<br><br></span></p>

<h2 style="text-align: left;"><span class="display-3">Frequently asked questions about IUI or ICI sperm straws</span></h2>
<h3 style="text-align: left;"><span class="display-4">What is the difference between IUI and ICI straws?</span></h3>
<p style="text-align: left;">The difference between IUI and ICI straws is whether the natural ejaculate fluids have been removed and if a cryo-preservative has been added. The IUI straw is washed and ready for insemination, unlike the ICI straw which is unwashed. Which one to choose depends on the type of treatment as well as the fertility clinic&rsquo;s preferences, as some clinics prefer to wash the <a href="/en-gb/dk-shop/private/about-sperm/about-donor-sperm/">donor sperm</a> themselves.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a class="button button--blue" href="/en-gb/dk-shop/private/faq/">Frequently Asked Questions</a></p>

IUI or ICI sperm straws

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<p><span class="display-6">At Cryos, you can choose between two different types of straws: IUI or ICI. The two types can be used for different fertility treatments, and the choice will often depend on your fertility clinic&rsquo;s preference.</span></p>