Sperm washing concentrates the sperm and removes a hormone-like substance called prostaglandin, which normally is filtered out by the cervical mucus. Prostaglandin would cause severe cramping if allowed to enter the uterus. The washed sperm is then delivered via catheter through the cervix into the uterus. The procedure is painless, and if it works, you will have a positive pregnancy test about 14 days later. As with other assisted reproductive procedures, IUI can be done with sperm from a donor who has been screened for communicable diseases such as AIDS, and for genetic diseases.
Most donors have unusually high sperm counts and donate anonymously.
Sperm banks ordinarily provide couples with descriptions of available donors, including the donor's height, weight, build, hair and eye color, education level, ethnic and religious background and hobbies. Donor sperm is frozen until it is needed. Some couples recruit a friend or relative to donate sperm, but even in these cases, the known donor must pass a medical screening. Any remaining embryos can be frozen for future use. IVF accounts for more than 90 percent of all ART cycles performed in the United States.