Insemination procedures put sperm directly into the woman's reproductive tract with a tube inserted through the vagina. By doing so, they can improve the chances of conception in women who have difficulty conceiving after intercourse.

Types of insemination include:

• Intrauterine insemination (IUI), the flushing of specially washed sperm through a thin flexible tube (catheter) directly into the uterus. The sperm then travel through the uterus and into the fallopian tubes, where they may fertilize an egg. This is sometimes combined with drug treatment of the woman to stimulate ovulation.
• Artificial insemination (AI), the placement of sperm into a woman's cervix or vagina. The sperm then travel into the uterus and fallopian tubes, where they may fertilize an egg.

By	Healthwise Staff
Primary Medical Reviewer	Sarah Anne Marshall, MD - Family Medicine
Specialist Medical Reviewer	Femi Olatunbosun, MB, FRCSC - Obstetrics and Gynecology
Last Revised	March 19, 2010