At-Home Insemination Guide

Key Takeaways

• At-home insemination is an affordable, less invasive alternative to other fertility treatments like in vitro fertilization or intrauterine insemination.
• While it is not as consistent as some other forms of therapy, it can still yield reliable results if used for multiple rounds of treatments.
• At-home insemination is a popular choice for couples in which neither partner naturally produces sperm or couples in which a partner who does naturally produce semen is experiencing infertility.

What Is At-Home Insemination

Artificial insemination is a form of assisted reproductive technology (ART) that is best for couples facing male infertility. Male infertility refers to when the male partner struggles with the quality and quantity of sperm. 

Artificial insemination is a great option for many couples because it is significantly cheaper than other forms of assisted reproductive technologies like IVF. Many couples try it first before moving on to other alternatives.

Artificial insemination is similar to intrauterine insemination where a sperm is collected either from one of the parents or a third-party sperm donor and implanted directly into the uterus using a small catheter rather than through intercourse. Artificial insemination has a relatively high success rate, but some prospective parents prefer not to do it in a clinic. Even though you may choose to do it at home, the healthcare professionals at Ivy Fertility guide you to help you and give you a higher success rate.

At-home insemination can be done with fresh or frozen sperm, but fresh sperm has a higher success rate than frozen sperm in this method. This is because fresh sperm is viable for a few days while frozen sperm, once thawed, is only viable for 12-24 hours.

At-Home Insemination Success Rates

Insemination done at the clinic has a higher success rate than when done at home, mainly because the environment is more controlled. The home has too many variables that can affect the results. Nonetheless, a 2021 study found the subjects who participated in at-home insemination had more than 40% success rate making it an effective form of treatment for many people. 

How to Increase At-Home Insemination Success Rate

It may take several rounds before a successful pregnancy. The following at-home insemination tips can help to increase your chances. 

Eat a healthy diet

A healthy diet is important in increasing fertility in both men and women. Eat a nutritious diet with plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables, lean proteins, healthy fats, and whole grains. 

Avoid overconsumption of alcohol and caffeine

According to this study, overconsumption of alcohol and caffeine can affect fertility resulting in a 50% reduction in the probability of conception. 

Take your supplements

For the female partner, it’s important to take supplements rich in iron, folic, and other prenatal vitamins like omega-3 fats. 

Avoid strenuous activity

While exercise is important, any strenuous activity should be avoided, especially for women taking fertility medications. Low-impact exercises like yoga, swimming, and walking will elevate your heart rate without putting stress on your body. 

Avoid ejaculation before sperm collection

For the male partner, it’s important to avoid ejaculation 1 to 3 days before a sample is taken. This is because the semen sample has to be large in volume to maximize the number of sperm. 

Time the Insemination

Timing is everything and you should ensure the insemination is done during ovulation. Particularly, you should aim for the day before ovulation or within 48 hours of ovulation. You can use an ovulation tracker to help you time your ovulation.

Read instructions

If you're using an at-home insemination kit, read the instructions before using it. Each kit is different, but most contain a soft-tipped syringe, some sample collection containers, a long, thin catheter, or the needle you will insert directly into the vagina. 

Common At-Home Insemination Mistakes

At-home insemination kits are a life saver to couples struggling with infertility. They work well and have helped many couples conceive. However, there are some mistakes you can avoid that can hurt your chances of a successful pregnancy. 

• Keep your hands clean and ensure there’s a clean environment when performing an at-home insemination. This will prevent any cross contamination and potential infections.
• Avoid lubrication. Vaginal lubricants can be toxic to sperm and can reduce sperm motility by 49%. Lubrication can also disrupt the sterile environment needed for insemination and potentially impact your chances of conception success.
• Don’t insert too far. While you may have the desire to increase your chances, inserting the syringe too far can cause cramping or pain. This means that the syringe has gone too far. 
• Just as you're not to insert too far, ensure the insemination isn’t too shallow as this means the sperm will not meet an egg. 
• Only open the syringe when you’re ready. Don't lay the syringe anywhere or touch the sides of it as any bacteria can affect the process and cause an infection. 
• Lie down after. Once you're done, lie down for some time. Ensure you pee before you begin the process to avoid getting up or tainting the insemination. Also, don't attempt to clean yourself up.

Can I pee after at-home insemination?

No. Though urine travels out of the body from the bladder through the urethra (a completely separate tract from the reproductive system) you should wait to pee at least 30 minutes after an at-home insemination procedure. In fact, you should use the bathroom before you start the process. 

Bottom Line

At-home insemination is a fantastic option for couples facing infertility. Studies have shown it has an average success rate of between 10 – 20% in women aged 35 and under and 18% per cycle for women aged under 35. This means that 1 in 5 attempts can work. However, this success depends on overall health and age.