Artificial Insemination – Methods, Success Rates, Costs, and More

Artificial insemination is a fertility procedure designed to help individuals and couples get pregnant by placing sperm closer to the site of fertilisation. In this article, we discuss the main types of artificial insemination—Intrauterine Insemination (IUI), Intracervical Insemination (ICI), Intrauterine Tuboperitoneal Insemination (IUTPI), and Intratubal Insemination (ITI)—and consider their success rates, costs, and practical steps. We also look at the legal and regulatory framework for insemination in the UK, compare artificial insemination vs. IVF, and explain how to find a licensed fertility clinic suited to your needs.

Understanding Artificial Insemination

Artificial insemination is a form of assisted reproductive technology that may be used to address a range of fertility problems. The procedure typically introduces sperm into or near the uterus, aiming to increase the concentration of healthy sperm at the site where fertilisation occurs. By shortening the distance that sperm must travel to reach the egg, artificial insemination can enhance the chance of pregnancy—especially for individuals with mild male factor infertility, unexplained infertility, or those requiring donor sperm.

Types of Artificial Insemination

Below are the primary types of artificial insemination. All of these procedures are used to help people conceive, though each method differs slightly in how or where the sperm are placed. The choice of procedure depends on many factors, such as sperm quality, the physical condition of the uterus and fallopian tubes, and whether the patient wants to use donor sperm or the partner’s sperm:

• Intrauterine Insemination (IUI)

• Intracervical Insemination (ICI)

• Intrauterine Tuboperitoneal Insemination (IUTPI)

• Intratubal Insemination (ITI)

Some of these techniques can be combined with ovarian hyperstimulation, which stimulates the ovary to release one or more eggs, potentially raising the chances of getting pregnant.

Intrauterine Insemination (IUI)

Intrauterine insemination is also known as IUI and is perhaps the most common type of artificial insemination. During an IUI procedure, washed sperm is injected directly into the uterus near the time the ovary releases an egg. Because the sperm are placed in your uterus, the chance of fertilisation is increased, making IUI a popular option for mild or moderate male factor infertility, unexplained infertility, or when donor insemination is used.

IUI may be done in a natural menstrual cycle or a stimulated cycle. In a stimulated cycle, fertility medications may be given to help you ovulate one or more eggs. Many clinics perform an ultrasound and blood test to monitor follicle development, aiming to time the insemination precisely. Once it is time, sperm for the procedure (either partner’s sperm or donor sperm) is prepared in the lab. This ensures that only the healthiest, most motile sperm are injected. The procedure itself takes just a few minutes and is often described as similar to a routine vaginal exam.

Success Rates

According to a large UK-based observational study, IUI shows an average live birth success rate of about 11–12% per cycle across tens of thousands of treatments. However, pregnancy success rates vary depending on age, cause of infertility, and whether ovarian stimulation is used. Many clinics report that IUI can be used for up to three or six cycles before moving on to IVF if there is still difficulty getting pregnant. Over multiple attempts, cumulative success rates can reach 25–35% or higher. In cases of unexplained infertility, around 6 cycles of IUI may be recommended, but that depends on individual clinical circumstances.

Costs

IUI is less expensive than IVF in most instances. In the UK, one cycle of IUI can cost anywhere between £800 and £1,300, though local NHS coverage may be available. If your local clinical commissioning group funds IUI procedure cycles, you might pay little or nothing, depending on eligibility. This cost typically includes sperm washing, the procedure itself, and basic monitoring. Because some people require multiple cycles of IUI to achieve pregnancy, cumulative costs can still add up. Even so, iui is also considered less invasive than IVF, so many patients try it first if their factor infertility remains mild to moderate.

Intracervical Insemination (ICI)

Intracervical insemination (ICI) is another type of artificial insemination where semen is placed in or just inside the cervix. The cervix acts as a natural gateway; once the sperm is introduced, it must still travel through the cervical mucus and up into the uterus. This type of artificial insemination may be recommended if the cause of infertility is relatively minor or if patients prefer a simpler approach. Some people attempt ICI at home, although a licensed fertility clinic offers safer protocols, regulated donor sperm, and a higher success rate.

Success Rates

Evidence shows that success rates for ICI can be comparable to IUI in certain circumstances. Studies have suggested clinical pregnancy rates of around 10–15% per cycle in natural cycles, though data labelled “very low” quality indicates fewer large-scale trials in this area. If ICI is performed with mild ovarian hyperstimulation to help you ovulate one or more eggs, success rates can improve slightly. However, overall pregnancy success rates may lag behind IUI or IVF, particularly in stimulated cycles. Because ICI is less common, fewer clinics track robust statistics.

Costs 

ICI might be less expensive than IUI because it often requires less preparation. Sperm are injected near the cervix without using an intrauterine catheter. Fees can range from £600 to £1,000 in the UK per cycle. Stimulation with fertility drugs (e.g., clomiphene or low-dose gonadotropins) may be used for better results, pushing costs toward £1,500. Because ICI can sometimes necessitate more attempts, patients should factor this into their budget when deciding which insemination is used.

Intrauterine Tuboperitoneal Insemination (IUTPI)

Intrauterine tuboperitoneal insemination (IUTPI) involves introducing a relatively large volume of washed sperm (typically ~10 mL) into both the uterus and the fallopian tubes, thereby creating enough intrauterine pressure to push sperm through the interstitial parts of the tubes and into the peritoneal cavity. In effect, the procedure can deliver sperm more extensively throughout the female reproductive tract. In practice, the cervix is clamped, often using a specialised double nut bivalve (DNB) speculum, to avoid leakage back into the vagina and to maintain sufficient pressure for tubal and peritoneal “flushing.” IUTPI has shown promise in cases of unexplained infertility, mild or moderate male infertility, and mild or moderate endometriosis.

Success Rates

A 2006 prospective randomised study found that IUTPI achieved about a 29.4% pregnancy rate per cycle in individuals with mild-to-moderate factor infertility. The researchers noted that up to three attempts of IUTPI may be beneficial before moving on to IVF. This approach might be especially relevant for patients who haven’t conceived through standard IUI or who require an intermediate option but want to avoid the higher cost or invasiveness of IVF.

Costs

Although IUTPI is also considered artificial insemination, it is more complicated than standard IUI. Because a specialised double nut bivalve (DNB) speculum is used to keep the cervix sealed and around 10 mL of washed sperm is injected directly into the uterus and fallopian tubes, the procedure requires extra time and specialised equipment. There are no large-scale UK-wide pricing references, but anecdotal evidence suggests it can cost slightly more than standard IUI yet remain less expensive than IVF. For many couples with difficulty getting pregnant, iutpi can be a potential mid-level option before IVF.

Intratubal Insemination (ITI)

Intratubal insemination (ITI) entails injecting sperm directly into one fallopian tube near ovulation. Unlike gamete intrafallopian transfer (GIFT), no egg is placed in the tube—only sperm. ITI has largely fallen out of favour because the existing data indicate that it does not meaningfully outperform IUI in terms of pregnancy rate. A 1993 randomised clinical trial comparing donor insemination methods found that combining IUI with ITI had a ~7.3% success rate per cycle, which was lower than results with standard IUI alone.

Success Rates

A prospective, randomised clinical trial conducted by Hurd and colleagues in 1993 compared three methods of donor insemination (DI) using cryopreserved sperm: ICI, IUI, and Intrauterine plus Intratubal Insemination (ITI/IUI). The results revealed a success rate of ~7.3% pregnancy rate per cycle for the combination of ITI and IUI, falling short of traditional IUI success rates. More recent insights also suggest that ITI, by itself, does not outperform IUI. As a result, ITI has largely fallen out of favour and is no longer routinely recommended in standard fertility practice.

Costs

Because intratubal insemination may require sedation, advanced catheters, and ultrasound guidance, it tends to be a more expensive and complex insemination procedure. Fewer licensed clinics offer ITI, and fewer large-scale studies have tracked cost or success data in recent years. If cost-effectiveness is paramount, or if the main cause of infertility is mild to moderate, standard IUI remains more popular. IVF is typically considered the next step when more advanced intervention is needed.

Artificial Insemination in the UK

In the United Kingdom, artificial insemination and other fertility procedures are regulated by the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA). Below are key points to keep in mind if you’re considering insemination treatments:

Legal Framework and Licensing

Clinics offering artificial insemination (including donor insemination) must be licensed by the HFEA and follow strict protocols for patient safety, donor screening, and record keeping. Donors in the UK are not fully anonymous. 

Access and Eligibility

All patients, individuals, or couples, regardless of marital status or sexual orientation, can pursue artificial insemination. The HFEA mandates thorough counselling and consents, especially in cases of donor insemination, ensuring recipients understand legal parentage and future disclosure rights for donor-conceived children.

Funding and NHS Support

NHS coverage for fertility treatments, including artificial insemination, varies significantly by local clinical commissioning group (CCG). Some offer a limited number of IUI or donor insemination cycles, whereas others fund IVF only under specific criteria. The availability of publicly funded insemination depends on factors like age, proven subfertility, and local policy. Those who don’t qualify for NHS coverage typically self-fund treatment through private clinics.

Regulations Around Donor Sperm

Donor compensation is allowed to cover reasonable expenses (though it’s capped and not meant to be profit-making). Donor testing is required for infections (e.g. HIV, hepatitis) and genetic issues, and donors must provide extensive medical background information.

Legal Considerations

The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act and subsequent amendments govern who is recognised as a legal parent. Generally, if a treatment is performed at an HFEA-licensed clinic, the birth mother (and her partner, if applicable) can be the legal parents, removing the donor’s parental rights and obligations. Individuals considering insemination at home (outside the licensed system) should be aware that legal parenthood can become more complicated if official protocols are not followed.

Artificial Insemination vs. IVF 

As discussed throughout the article, artificial insemination (AI) places sperm inside the reproductive tract so that fertilisation occurs in the body. By contrast, IVF fertilises eggs and sperm outside the body in a controlled laboratory setting. 

Procedural Differences

Artificial insemination is generally simpler, sometimes involving mild ovarian stimulation. Sperm is introduced near or inside the uterus. IVF, on the other hand, requires ovulation induction, egg retrieval, lab-based fertilisation, and embryo transfer. These additional considerations increase the complexity of the procedure. However, the additional steps also mean increased levels of control over the fertilisation.

Success Rates

Compared to the 10-15% per cycle success rate of artificial insemination, IVF can exceed 30-40% per embryo transfer (or more), depending on factors like maternal age, embryo quality, and any underlying fertility issues. Since eggs and sperm meet in the laboratory, IVF can overcome more severe forms of infertility, reflected in higher success rates. 

Costs

Since IVF involves ovulation stimulation, egg retrieval, fertilisation, and embryo culture, it is more resource intensive. A single IVF cycle often ranges £3,500–£5,000 (or more) before medication costs or optional lab procedures (e.g. genetic testing). However, given IVF’s higher success rates per cycle, especially for moderate to severe infertility, couples may ultimately reach a successful pregnancy in fewer overall treatment cycles than with repeated artificial insemination attempts.

Your Next Fertility Steps with Ovoria – Finding a suited Fertility Clinic

Ready to move forward with your fertility journey? At Ovoria, we collaborate with trusted partner clinics to ensure high-quality care and personalised options for every patient. Our team will help you navigate treatment possibilities, whether that’s through IUI, IVF, or another assisted reproductive path, so you can make informed decisions about your future. Contact us today to discuss your goals and start planning your next steps toward parenthood.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can a single woman get artificial insemination?

Yes. Clinics in the UK and many other countries accept single patients for fertility treatments, including artificial insemination.

Can you do artificial insemination at home?

Some choose home insemination (usually intracervical), but it bypasses clinic safeguards like infection screening and regulated donor procedures. Working with a licensed clinic generally ensures higher safety and success rates.

How long does artificial insemination take?

Insemination itself is usually completed in minutes. Monitoring the cycle (and, if used, mild stimulation) may span 1–2 weeks before the insemination procedure.

References

Ombelet, W., & Van Robays, J. (2015). Artificial insemination history: hurdles and milestones. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4498171/

Bahadur, G., Homburg, R., Bosmans, J. E., Huirne, J. a. F., Hinstridge, P., Jayaprakasan, K., Racich, P., Alam, R., Karapanos, I., Illahibuccus, A., Al-Habib, A., & Jauniaux, E. (2020). Observational retrospective study of UK national success, risks and costs for 319,105 IVF/ICSI and 30,669 IUI treatment cycles. BMJ Open, 10(3), e034566. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2019-034566

Kop, P. A., Mochtar, M. H., O’Brien, P. A., Van Der Veen, F., & Van Wely, M. (2018). Intrauterine insemination versus intracervical insemination in donor sperm treatment. Cochrane Library, 2018(2). https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.cd000317.pub4

O’Brien, P., & Vandekerckhove, P. (1998). Intra-uterine versus cervical insemination of donor sperm for subfertility. Cochrane Library. https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.cd000317

Mamas, L. (2006). Comparison of fallopian tube sperm perfusion and intrauterine tuboperitoneal insemination: a prospective randomized study. Fertility and Sterility, 85(3), 735–740. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fertnstert.2005.08.025