This involves the introduction of specially prepared sperm into the uterus of the woman via a fine tube called a catheter. The catheter is inserted through the cervix and into the uterus. The specially prepared sperm are then injected into the uterus.

Here, the sperm are close to the uterine entrance of each of the fallopian tubes and are required to swim a shorter distance in order to reach the ovulated egg.

Sperm preparation involves treating your partner's semen sample so that all of the highly motile, fast swimming sperm are collected and concentrated in a small volume of fluid.

In cases where the man has no sperm, and no medical or surgical treatment is available to improve this situation, the couple may decide to utilise intrauterine insemination by donor sperm.

Intrauterine insemination is generally carried out without the use of anaesthetic.