Home insemination is a cost-effective and straightforward method to get pregnant using a sperm donor. At Cryos, many customers prefer home insemination because of one advantage; the ability to perform the procedure in the comfort of your own home, either alone or with the support of a partner or a trusted friend.
Watch the step-by-step video below to learn how to perform home insemination.
What is home insemination?
Home insemination is a form of artificial insemination that can be performed in the privacy of your home. It usually involves placing sperm into the vagina near the cervix using a sterile, needle-free syringe. This method is often called intracervical insemination, or ICI.
Home insemination can be performed with donor sperm or a partner’s sperm.
It is a different treatment from intrauterine insemination, or IUI. IUI places specially prepared sperm directly inside the uterus and must be performed by a qualified healthcare professional.
Curious about home insemination?
Starting your journey towards parenthood is a big step, and finding the right approach can feel overwhelming. Whether you are just exploring your options or ready to move forward, we are here to guide you.
Who uses home insemination?
Home insemination is popular amongst women who never experienced fertility problems. Therefore, many lesbian couples and single women prefer home insemination, as it is the simplest and cheapest method of artificial insemination. The procedure allows couples and single women to get pregnant without having sex and begin their journey towards parenthood in the comfort of their own homes.
How do I know if home insemination is right for me?
If you are about to enter fertility treatment and have never had any fertility issues, home insemination could be an option for you. Before you start the search for a sperm donor, we recommend consulting a doctor to ensure that you can use home insemination.
How to perform home insemination
If you have decided to try home insemination, the first steps are to choose a donor, order the recommended sperm straws and plan the delivery around your expected ovulation. Your order includes a home insemination kit with detailed instructions. Read the complete instructions before removing the sperm from the shipping container, and follow the supplied guidance for thawing and handling the sperm.
Timing is important. Track your ovulation before ordering so that you can plan delivery and insemination around your fertile window.
Step-by-step guide to home insemination
- Step 1: Remove the sperm straws from the packaging.
- Step 2: Let the straw sit at room temperature for 15-20 minutes.
- Step 3: Place the thick end of the adapter on to the syringe.
- Step 4: Clean the straw with the alcohol pad.
- Step 5: Use a pair of scissors to cut one side of the straw open.
- Step 6: Place the open straw into the thin side of the adapter (placed on the syringe)
- Step 7: Keep the syringe upright and draw the sperm into the syringe (pull until the straw is empty).
- Step 8: Now lie down on your back in a comfortable position and raise your hips using a pillow.
- Step 9: Insert the syringe as far as possible into the vaginal canal. Slowly inject the content of the syringe and remove the syringe slowly.
- Step 10: Lay still for approximately 30 minutes.
How much does home insemination cost?
- Your choice of donor
- Sperm preparation and sperm motility
- Shipping or local pick-up
- Your choice of a standard or extended-duration shipping container
- Optional reservation and storage of additional sperm
For current prices and shipping options, visit our cost guide or start an order to see the prices for your selections.
What are the success rates for home insemination?
There is no single success rate for home insemination that applies to everyone. Your chances of getting pregnant depend on several factors, including:
- Your age
- Ovulation and menstrual cycle regularity
- The health of your fallopian tubes
- Sperm preparation and motile sperm count
- The timing of insemination
- The number of cycles you try
- Other reproductive health factors
Home insemination generally has a lower success rate per cycle than intrauterine insemination (IUI), in which sperm is placed directly into the uterus. According to this study, the pregnancy rate for IUI is around 18% per cycle for women under 30 and decreases with age.
Tracking your ovulation and following Cryos' sperm handling instructions can help you get the timing right and avoid preventable issues, but neither can guarantee pregnancy. Consider speaking with a healthcare professional before starting treatment.
Understand home insemination success rates
How long does it take to get pregnant after home insemination?
It is difficult to estimate how long it takes for you to get pregnant after home insemination, as success rates vary a lot from one woman to another. But the general success rate for IUI is approximately 18%, and it is widely known that home insemination is slightly less effective than IUI.
How to purchase sperm for home insemination
You can buy sperm for home insemination on our website. Simply start by creating an account, find the donor you like, order in time for your next ovulation, and have it delivered to your front door. Order two ICI or IUI MOT10 straws for home insemination.
Finding the right donor can be overwhelming and difficult. Follow the link to read our guide containing the most important things to consider when choosing a sperm donor.
What should I order for home insemination?
We recommend ordering two ICI or IUI MOT10 straws for home insemination. Most women need more than one insemination before receiving a positive pregnancy test. As a result, we recommend reserving sperm straws from your favorite donor, to ensure that there is enough sperm for your treatment.
What is MOT?
MOT is an abbreviation for ‘motility’ and means the number of motile (moving) sperm cells per ml. For example, a MOT10 means at least 10 million motile (moving) sperm cells per ml. Our straws are sold in 0.5 ml straws, so in each Cryos 0.5 ml MOT10 straw, you can expect a minimum of 5 million motile sperm cells. Read more about MOT or sperm motility by clicking on the button below.
Contact a healthcare professional before insemination
Before you order sperm for home insemination, we recommend you consult a doctor to discuss the plan for your journey towards parenthood. Home insemination is recommended for women not diagnosed with reproductive issues like endometriosis or PCOS. Therefore, if you have never tested your fertility, we recommend having a test to ensure that everything is good to start your journey. Contact our Customer Care Team, if you have any questions regarding home insemination.
Frequently asked questions about home insemination
Has anyone gotten pregnant with home insemination?
Yes, many people have used home insemination to fulfill their dreams of parenthood.
Is home insemination with donor sperm safe?
Home insemination using screened donor sperm, sterile single-use equipment and the correct handling instructions is generally considered low risk.
Possible risks include infection from contaminated equipment, reduced sperm quality caused by incorrect storage or handling, and discomfort or injury if equipment is inserted forcefully.
Follow the instructions included with your Cryos order, and do not attempt IUI at home. IUI places sperm inside the uterus and must be performed by a qualified healthcare professional.
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. Our Customer Care Team is here to help. Please contact us If you have any questions. We are available by phone, email, or chat from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. eastern time.
Should I order MOT10 or MOT20 for home insemination?
We recommend two ICI or IUI MOT10 straws for home insemination. MOT20 sperm has more active sperm cells per milliliter of sperm, meaning that the quality is higher, but so is the price.
Why does Cryos recommend two MOT10 sperm straws for home insemination?
Cryos sperm straws are 0.5 ml each. Two straws will add up to 1 ml of sperm. This will provide you with a minimum of at least 10 million sperm when purchasing two MOT10 straws. Published data suggests that the optimal number of motile sperm needed to achieve a pregnancy is in this range. In our many years of experience in helping people get pregnant, we have learned that it is better to have two opportunities to fertilize the egg during your ovulation.