Insemination is a simple and natural fertility treatment that can help single women and female couples become pregnant.
It is often the first step toward parenthood—safe, straightforward, and with minimal strain on the body.
Insemination, or intrauterine insemination (IUI), is a form of assisted reproduction in which sperm are placed into the uterus using a thin catheter at the time of ovulation.
The procedure is simple and usually completely painless, and fertilisation then occurs naturally within the body.
The treatment is mainly used when intercourse is not possible, desired, or appropriate—for example when pregnancy is planned by single women or female couples, or when using donated sperm.
In some cases, insemination may also be an option for heterosexual couples, such as when there are difficulties with intercourse, but this is less common.
For single women and female couples, insemination is usually the first and most gentle way to become pregnant with medical assistance.
Insemination can be performed using donated sperm or, in some cases, the partner’s own sperm.
Insemination can be carried out either in a natural cycle, timed with ovulation, or together with hormonal stimulation to support egg maturation.
In a natural cycle, ovulation tests are used at home to identify the optimal timing. To avoid multiple pregnancy, the treatment is carefully monitored—the goal is for one to two follicles to mature.
Because fertilisation takes place in the fallopian tube, at least one fallopian tube must be open. If needed, this can be checked with an examination.
For insemination to be successful, the sperm sample must contain a sufficient number of motile and viable sperm after laboratory preparation. If the sample does not meet the criteria, IVF treatment is usually recommended instead.
The sperm sample is provided on the day of treatment and prepared in the laboratory to select the most motile sperm. Impurities and antibodies are removed. In some cases, previously frozen sperm from a partner may be used.
The insemination itself is quick, painless, and requires no recovery—you can resume normal activities immediately afterwards.
The outcome of insemination treatment is mainly influenced by the woman’s age, but also by sperm quality and accurate timing of ovulation.
Insemination can be repeated several times, and if pregnancy is not achieved after a number of attempts, the next step is often IVF treatment.
Insemination can also be performed using donated sperm.
Ovumia has its own sperm bank with registered donors based in Finland.
If a suitable donor is not available in our own bank, sperm can be ordered from international partner organisations such as European Sperm Bank or Cryos International.
When donated reproductive cells are used, a consultation with a psychologist is always included. During this conversation, legal, ethical, and emotional aspects are discussed.
This ensures that you receive all the information you need and feel confident and supported before treatment.
Contact the clinic
Notify the clinic as soon as your menstrual period begins.
Treatment
The treatment can be carried out in a natural cycle—ovulation is confirmed using a home test.
Alternatively, mild hormone stimulation may be given to mature 1–2 eggs, monitored with ultrasound (1–3 visits).
Ovulation trigger if required
If necessary, ovulation can be triggered with an hCG injection.
When the ovulation test shows a positive result, you contact the clinic.
Insemination on the same day
The sperm sample is provided on the same day, prepared in the laboratory, and placed into the uterus.
Pregnancy test
A pregnancy test is performed two weeks after insemination.
Follow-up ultrasound
If the test is positive, an ultrasound is performed three weeks later.
In Ovumia, we are always ready to help you!
