What is ICI sperm?
Intra Cervical Insemination (ICI) is a vaginal insemination, where a syringe is used to insert the sperm into the vagina and then it is squeezed out toward the entrance of the cervix. The procedure is also called home insemination.
ICI is performed with unwashed sperm* and contains seminal plasma and prostate secretion. If ICI unwashed sperm is not available from your favorite donor then IUI ready sperm can also be used for an ICI treatment.
*Unwashed sperm is not sterile. Due to the contents of prostaglandin, unwashed sperm must not be used for an intra uterine insemination (IUI).
What is IUI sperm?
Intrauterine Insemination is a fertility treatment that involves placing sperm inside a woman's uterus to facilitate fertilization. The goal of IUI is to increase the number of sperm that reach the fallopian tubes and subsequently increase the chance of fertilization.
If you want to learn more about the difference between IUI and ICI donor sperm, follow the link to our blog post on the subject.
When should you use IUI treatment?
If you are having difficulty getting pregnant using donor sperm to conceive, you might look at IUI as a fertility treatment option. The clinic will help track your ovulation and might also prescribe fertility drugs to help prepare your body for pregnancy, to increase your chances of conceiving. The success rates when using fertility treatment differs from one method to another. Follow the link to read about the success rates when using IUI treatment. Using a clinic also increases you chances of getting pregnant, but also costs a bit more than doing a home insemination.
If you want to learn more about the cost of home insemination compared to other fertility treatments, we recommend you to follow the link to our blog post on the subject.
What is IVF treatment?
In vitro fertilization, otherwise known as IVF treatment, is an assisted reproductive technology where an egg and sperm are manually combined for fertilization in a laboratory. Once an embryo has formed, it will be transferred to the uterus where hopefully a successful pregnancy will occur.
When should you use IVF treatment?
If you are affected by infertility, you may consider going through with the IVF process. Some common reasons patients would need to use IVF are:
- Blocked or damaged Fallopian tubes
- Women who have had their Fallopian tubes removed
- Male factor infertility including decreased sperm count or sperm motility
- Women with conditions such as premature ovarian failure, endometriosis or polycystic ovary syndrome
- Individuals with a genetic disorder
IVF is considered for people who have tried to get pregnant with no success or explanation for over one year of trying. If a woman does not have healthy eggs herself, IVF can be performed by using donor eggs.
You may also consider using donor sperm for the IVF treatment whether you are a single woman trying to get pregnant or a couple having trouble. IVF procedures are very expensive and usually the last resort of options for people trying to conceive.
What is ICSI treatment?
In some cases, even when using donor sperm, your clinic may suggest using a fertility treatment called ICSI (intracytoplasmic sperm injection), this could be due to previous failed IF cycles or egg-related issues, such as the use of donor eggs. Your treatment will be exactly the same as with IVF. The only difference is that instead of mixing the sperm with the eggs and leaving them to fertilise, a skilled embryologist will inject a single sperm into the egg. This maximises the chance of fertilisation taking place as it bypasses the natural barriers the sperm will have in getting inside the egg.
It can be hard navigating through the world of fertility treatment. If you want a list of the most commonly used abbreviations in relation to fertility treatment, then follow the link to our blog post.
1. Know your treatment
Visit your doctor or clinic to find out which clinical treatment is right for you. Whether it is IUI or IVF, you should educate yourself to understand how each procedure works. Discuss the pros and cons of each process with your physician. This should include the costs and what your chances are of becoming pregnant with each type of treatment.
2. Select your sperm donor
Cryos recommends purchasing IUI-ready sperm for your IUI or IVF treatment. This type of sperm is carefully washed and prepared specifically for these types of treatments. It can also be used for other fertility treatments including home insemination, even though ICI-ready sperm is recommended. If you are going to use home insemination, then we can recommend you to read our blog post on how to make home insemination successful.
1. Know your treatment
Visit your doctor or clinic to find out which clinical treatment is right for you. Whether it is IUI or IVF, you should educate yourself to understand how each procedure works. Discuss the pros and cons of each process with your physician. This should include the costs and what your chances are of becoming pregnant with each type of treatment.
2. Select your sperm donor
Cryos recommends purchasing IUI-ready sperm for your IUI or IVF treatment. This type of sperm is carefully washed and prepared specifically for these types of treatments. It can also be used for other fertility treatments including home insemination, even though ICI-ready sperm is recommended. If you are going to use home insemination, then we can recommend you to read our blog post on how to make home insemination successful.
3. Select your sperm donor’s MOT
When looking at your sperm donor’s straw options, you will see different levels of MOTs mentioned. Sperm motility (MOT) indicates the number of millions of motile sperm per ml, and each Cryos straw is .5 ml. For IUI, many clinics prefer a MOT20 – although your clinic may not have a specific preference, so make sure to check with your doctor. For IVF, we recommend a MOT5, as you do not need as many motile sperm for this type of procedure.
4. Choose your shipping method
Select the appropriate tank and shipping dates approved by your clinic. You will choose this on our website’s checkout page. The clinic will store your donor sperm and have it ready for use on the day of your planned IUI or IVF procedure.
3. Select your sperm donor’s MOT
When looking at your sperm donor’s straw options, you will see different levels of MOTs mentioned. Sperm motility (MOT) indicates the number of millions of motile sperm per ml, and each Cryos straw is .5 ml. For IUI, many clinics prefer a MOT20 – although your clinic may not have a specific preference, so make sure to check with your doctor. For IVF, we recommend a MOT5, as you do not need as many motile sperm for this type of procedure.
4. Choose your shipping method
Select the appropriate tank and shipping dates approved by your clinic. You will choose this on our website’s checkout page. The clinic will store your donor sperm and have it ready for use on the day of your planned IUI or IVF procedure.
Have Questions? Cryos Has Answers
Call Cryos at 407-203-1175 to speak with one of our friendly Customer Care Representatives. They will answer any questions you have about choosing the right sperm donor for your clinical insemination. A live online chat system is also available during regular operating hours on our website.