IUI with Donor Sperm
IUI is a process that brings together your egg and donor sperm at the right place - the fallopian tube - and time - just after ovulation. For this to happen, IUI involves the quick and painless artificial insemination of donor sperm into your uterus.
Page Guide
We understand that fertility treatment can be a complex and emotional journey. Our team is dedicated to providing you with all the information and support you need throughout the process.
How does it work?
Single Women
IUI is a straightforward and simple procedure that is suited to single women with a desire to have a child.
You will need to use donor sperm for the IUI treatment process. Sperm can be donated by someone you know or you can select a donor from our highly regulated sperm bank or the network of high quality sperm banks with whom we collaborate.
Prior to use, all sperm which is used for the IUI process is carefully ‘washed’ so that only the strongest and most viable sperm remain. This ‘washed’ sperm can then be inseminated into your uterus so the donor sperm is where it needs to be at the time of ovulation. This gives fertilisation the greatest chance of success and you are one step closer to becoming a parent.
IUI is a painless and relatively inexpensive treatment and many women prefer to try IUI before moving to more invasive fertility treatments such as in vitro fertilisation (IVF). Having said that, IUI is less successful in women over 35 and IVF may be offered as a first-line treatment in these women.
Depending on the results of your fertility tests, IUI may be carried out with or without fertility drugs. If needed, fertility drugs can help to stimulate ovulation and prepare your uterus to receive embryos.
If you go ahead with IUI, two weeks after the treatment you will be encouraged to take a pregnancy test. If the result is positive you will then have a 35-day post-treatment scan at your clinic.
Female Same Sex Couples
IUI is a straightforward and simple procedure that is suited to same-sex female couples with a desire to have a child.
You will need to use donor sperm for the IUI treatment process. Sperm can be donated by someone you know or you can select a donor from our highly regulated sperm bank or the network of high quality sperm banks with whom we collaborate.
Prior to use, all sperm which is used for the IUI process is carefully ‘washed’ so that only the strongest and most viable sperm remain. This ‘washed’ sperm can then be inseminated into yours or your partner’s uterus so the donor sperm is where it needs to be at the time of ovulation. This gives fertilisation the greatest chance of success and you are one step closer to becoming a parent.
IUI is a painless and relatively inexpensive treatment and many same-sex female couples prefer to try IUI before moving to more invasive fertility treatments such as in vitro fertilisation (IVF). Having said that, IUI is less successful in women over 35 and IVF may be offered as a first-line treatment in these women.
Depending on the results of fertility tests on you and your partner, IUI may be carried out with or without fertility drugs. If needed, fertility drugs can help to stimulate ovulation and prepare your uterus to receive embryos.
If you go ahead with IUI, two weeks after the treatment you will be encouraged to take a pregnancy test. If the result is positive you will then have a 35-day post-treatment scan at your clinic.
Is IUI right for me?
Our fertility specialists will let you know if IUI is right for you and if so, it will be included in your treatment plan.
As a guide, IUI may suit you if you have fully functioning fallopian tubes and you are under the age of 35 yrs. Having one, or a combination, of the following criteria could also mean that IUI could help you realise the dream of becoming a parent.
- Are a single woman
- Are part of a same-sex female couple
- Want to try a treatment less invasive than IVF
Flexible Pricing Options
To help make your treatment affordable and achievable, we offer fixed price treatment package options and a variety of finance solutions for patients looking to spread all or part of the cost of their treatment.
Explore our prices
Discover our prices and finance options, making treatments more accessible for you.
Book a 15 minute Discovery call
Schedule a Discovery call to find out which tests and treatments are right for you.
Fertility funding partners we work with:
We’re incredibly proud of our success rates
At Bourn Hall, you can be assured of the best chances of having a baby within the shortest possible time. If you are under 35, you have a 73%* chance of falling pregnant within one year.
*Data from 2021
Younger than 35
If you are under 35, you have a 73% chance of falling pregnant within one year.
35 to 39 years old
If you are 35-37 years old and you continue treatment with Bourn Hall, you have a 63% (50% for 38-39 year olds) chance of getting pregnant (pregnancy seen on scan) within one year.
40+ years old
If you are a female aged over 40 and you continue treatment with Bourn Hall, you have about a 25% chance of getting pregnant within one year.
We provide world-class support throughout the fertility journey.
As one of the UK’s top fertility treatment centres, our values ensure we put our patients first.
Passion
Adaptability
Commitment
Teamwork and Collaboration
Our excellence in fertility treatment
1978
The world's first IVF baby
1980
Year founded by IVF pioneers
25000
Babies born through Bourn Hall
Patient reviews you can trust
Genuine experiences from real patients. See why so many trust us with their fertility care.
“We went to an open evening at Bourn Hall Wickford and came away feeling really positive about the place. The staff were really friendly and the presentation was clear about the statistics regarding success rates and live birth rates; their data was very transparent. We came away feeling like we would really be looked after.”
Katy and Leigh are parents to Charlie after IVF
Patient 2023
“We chose to make an appointment at Bourn Hall Wickford because of the favourable reviews. When we got there and met the staff they were just so lovely, making us feel welcome and explaining to us what tests would need to be done and what our options were; we just thought ‘yes, let’s get the ball rolling!”
Jess and Fran are mums to Nathan after IVF with donor sperm
Patient 2023
Your Stories
Real journeys, real hope. Hear from our patients as they share their paths to parenthood.
An open culture at HSBC allowed Chantelle to build her career and navigate her fertility journey
Alongside her 17-year career at HSBC, Chantelle has navigated the roller-coaster journey of infertility – and says...
“I needed help to face a future without children”
“I didn’t know how I was going to carry on living the rest of my life feeling…
Family at last for Hannah after tests revealed why she couldn’t get pregnant
“When are you going to have a baby?” is something which Hannah from Cambridgeshire is always careful...
Our Fertility Events
Join our experts at a range of events including support groups, webinars and open evenings. Learn more about the options available to you, including fertility tests and treatments, and get the answers to any questions you might have.
Related Content
If you qualify for NHS-funded fertility treatment under the NHS Norfolk and Waveney Integrated Care Board, our fertility diagnostic pathway is the same as the services offered by your local NHS hospital but with much shorter waiting times and in an environment dedicated to fertility services.
Our male couples fertility testing package includes semen analysis tests for you both, a free 30-minute consultation with our fertility nutritionist and a private consultation.
We offer fertility health and wellbeing packages at our clinics in Cambridge, Norwich, Wickford, or at home. Our male package includes a semen analysis, a free 30-minute consultation with our fertility nutritionist, and personalised doctor-written report explaining your results.
Our female couples fertility testing package includes options to provide you both with results on your fertility. These include AMH blood tests for ovarian reserve; TSH to assess your thyroid stimulating hormone; an ultrasound scan; and personalised doctor-written report explaining your results.
Our female package includes the option of AMH blood tests for ovarian reserve; TSH to assess your thyroid stimulating hormone, an ultrasound scan; and personalised doctor-written report explaining your results. Additionally, we include a free 30-minute consultation with our fertility nutritionist to provide you with nutrition and lifestyle advice.
For heterosexual couples, our female and male fertility testing package includes the option of semen analysis; AMH blood tests for ovarian reserve; TSH to assess your thyroid stimulating hormone; ultrasound scan; and personalised doctor-written report explaining your results.
Once you’ve made the decision to extend your family, even thinking that you might have a fertility issue can be stressful. And for a man, the thought that your sperm might not be in tip-top condition is definitely a cause for concern.
Frequently asked questions
Your questions answered. Find clarity on every step of your fertility journey.