Donor insemination involves the use of sperm from a donor. It is straightforward and usually painless. Using a fine tube, the doctor or nurse places the semen into the neck of the womb or the uterus. The patient will be asked to rest for a short time after this treatment. Sexual intercourse can usually continue as normal during a treatment cycle.
Donor insemination is performed during the fertile period each month.
This is likely to be about the middle of the woman's menstrual cycle. Whilst the woman may observe a change in vaginal mucus during this fertile period, blood or urine hormone tests or ultrasound scans are usually used to establish accurately the most suitable time for insemination. Sometimes hormone drugs are used to stimulate the ovaries. All pregnancies carry some risks, and donor insemination does not protect patients from these. Screening for HIV involves sperm being frozen and quarantined for at least six months.