What Are the 4 Types of Artificial Insemination?

The four main types of artificial insemination intrauterine insemination (IUI), intracervical insemination, intrauterine tuboperitoneal insemination, and intratubal insemination (also called Fallopian tube sperm perfusion).

Artificial insemination is a fertility procedure often used by people who have tried to conceive naturally but have been unsuccessful. It can help those who struggle with fertility problems as well as single people or same-sex female couples who wish to have a child.  

Ovulation may be induced for any of the insemination methods to guarantee the release of more eggs than usual and better-quality eggs.

There are four main types of artificial insemination:

1. Intrauterine insemination (IUI)

• This is the most common type of artificial insemination
• Sperm is injected into the uterus using a catheter in order to get the sperm as close to the egg as possible to improve the chances of fertilization

2. Intracervical insemination

• Semen is placed in the female’s cervix where it travels into the uterus and Fallopian tubes on its own
• A conception cap may be worm for a few hours to hold semen inside the body to increase the chances of successful implantation
• It does not have the same success rate as intrauterine insemination but it’s less expensive 
• Not a good option for those with thick cervical mucus or poor sperm quality

3. Intrauterine tuboperitoneal insemination

• Similar to IUI but includes sperm being injected into the fallopian tubes
• Once the semen is introduced, a clamp is placed on the cervix to prevent semen from leaking

4. Intratubal insemination (also called Fallopian tube sperm perfusion)

• In this procedure, a catheter goes through the cervix and uterus and sperm is injected only into the Fallopian tubes
• Another method is more invasive and involves using a camera inserted into the abdomen to locate the Fallopian tubes to place the sperm directly there
• This is the most invasive method but it can be helpful for women who don’t ovulate regularly or who have thick cervical mucus that can decrease sperm’s motility

Each person is unique and the best type of artificial insemination depends on a person’s budget, health needs, and preferences.  

Advantages of intrauterine insemination (IUI) include: 

• One of the most efficient types
• Some of the highest success rates
• Most effective for those under age 30
• A good option for: 
  • Couples who experience poor sperm quality
  • Couples who experience sexual dysfunction
  • People who experience poor cervical condition 
  • Same sex female couples
  • Single women who want become pregnant using donated sperm
• The procedure is quick and relatively painless and does not require drugs

Advantages of intracervical insemination include: 

• Less expensive than IUI
• A good option for: 
  • Single women 
  • LGBTQ couples

Advantages of intrauterine tuboperitoneal insemination include: 

• A good option for couples with mild male infertility or mild endometriosis because it bypasses the affected organs 

Advantages of intratubal insemination (also called Fallopian tube sperm perfusion) include: 

• Can be helpful for couples who don’t ovulate regularly or who have thick cervical mucus that can decrease sperm’s motility