What is home insemination?
Home insemination is an easy procedure that can be done in the comfort of your own home. The donor sperm straws you select are shipped directly to you in a nitrogen tank container. An insemination kit, with a needle-less syringe, an adaptor and a step-by-step instruction document is included in the shipment.
Home insemination is most successful for women without fertility issues and to increase your chances of pregnancy, we do recommend that you consult with your doctor for professional advice first. If you have fertility issues that you are aware of, we recommend fertility treatment at a clinic or hospital.
How do I know if home insemination is right for me?
If you are starting fertility treatment and have not had any fertility issues, home insemination is an option for you. We strongly encourage you to see a doctor before beginning, to make sure that you can use home insemination.
How to perform home insemination
When you receive the donor sperm, a home insemination kit with detailed instructions is included. To learn how to use the kit, watch this step-by-step video. Home insemination can be performed in the comfort of your own home, either alone or with the assistance of your partner.
Video: Step-by-step home insemination
You may skip to the 0:56 mark to see a step-by-step process of handling the sperm straws. If you have any questions, feel free to contact our Customer Care Consultants.
Click here to see a video explaining how to handle donor sperm straws for home insemination.
Do I need a Release Authorization or signed paperwork?
A Release Authorization form is only required for home insemination if you are shipping to the state of New York. In New York, a Release Authorization must be signed by a physician, nurse or midwife. There is no other signed paperwork.
Which sperm donors can be ordered for home insemination?
You can order sperm from any of the sperm donors on our donor list. If a donor does not have ICI-ready sperm straws, IUI-ready straws are perfectly suitable for home insemination and the success rates are indistinguishable.
Click here to learn about the differences between ICI-ready and IUI-ready sperm.
What type of sperm is recommended and how much should I purchase?
The recommended amount of sperm you should purchase for your home insemination is 2 x ICI or IUI MOT10 straws. ICI-ready sperm is typically used for home insemination, and IUI-ready sperm is usually used for clinic insemination, but both can absolutely be used in home insemination. If you want to learn more about the amount of sperm you should buy for home insemination, then follow the link to our blog post on the subject.
You can choose a higher MOT as a personal preference. MOT5 straws contain less motile sperm than is recommended for home insemination and are intended primarily for IVF use, as they are less effective for home insemination.
How do I purchase sperm for insemination?
You can buy sperm for home insemination on our website. Simply find the donor you like, create an account, and order in time for your next ovulation. We always suggest talking to a doctor before ordering sperm for insemination, to make sure that you have the best chance of conceiving.
If you want to learn more about the cost of home insemination compared to other fertility treatments, we recommend you follow the link to our blog post on the subject.
What is MOT?
MOT is an abbreviation for ‘motility’ and means the number of millions of motile (moving) sperm cells per ml. For example, a MOT10 means there are at least 10 million motile (moving) sperm cells per ml. Our straws are sold in .5 ml straws, so in each Cryos .5ml MOT10 straw, we guarantee a minimum of 5 million motile sperm.
Further explanation about sperm quality and motility (MOT) can be found here.
Want to know more about home insemination?
Home insemination is one of the most popular ways of artificial insemination and there is a lot more to uncover about it. We have made several blog post's focusing on the different stages of home insemination with donor sperm.
You can find some of the blog post's on home insemination here:
- Home insemination cost compared to other fertility treatments
- Benefits to Using Home Insemination
- 6 tips on how to make home insemination successful
Frequently asked questions
Is home insemination with donor sperm safe?
Yes, home insemination with donor sperm is perfectly safe. Once you have ordered the donor sperm and you are about to ovulate, you can proceed with the insemination in the comfort of your own home.
What are the success rates for home insemination?
The success rates for women using home insemination to become pregnant can vary greatly from one woman to another, since it depends on several factors, such as health, fertility, BMI, age, and luck. However, the success rate for IUI treatment is around 18%, and it is widely known that home insemination is slightly less effective than IUI.
Can I order sperm for home insemination internationally?
If you would like to order sperm for home insemination outside of the United States, please contact our Customer Care Team by email or phone to learn more about your options.
What is the cost of home insemination?
The cost depends on your choice of Sperm Donor Profile, type of MOT and where the sperm should be delivered to. For example, if you purchase the 2 straws of ICI MOT 10 (the recommended amount), the cost should be around $1,200, shipping included.