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Rainbow Fertility / Fertility Treatment Options / Donor Insemination

Donor Insemination

Donor InseminationDonor Insemination (DI) is a fertility procedure in which frozen donor sperm is thawed and inserted into a person’s uterus directly around the time of ovulation to achieve a pregnancy. This can also be more broadly known as artificial insemination or intra-uterine insemination.

 

 

What is donor insemination?

Donor insemination is suitable for single individuals with a uterus and same-sex couples. Donor insemination is not suitable for everyone and depends on many factors.

Donor insemination is not recommended for:

  • Individuals over 38 years of age.
  • Individuals with tubal blockage or severe tubal damage.
  • Individuals with severe endometriosis.

Rainbow Fertility has a range of donor sperm available now, with no waitlist. Call our Fertility Advice Team on 1300 222 623 to find out more.

 

What are the donor insemination treatment options?

There are three donor insemination treatment options:

  1. Natural Cycle Insemination – this does not involve any medication and follows the person’s natural menstrual cycle.
  2. Clomiphene Citrate Ovulation Induction – this method involves the use of medication to stimulate the ovaries and cause or regulate ovulation. The use of this medication in combination with donor insemination has been shown to increase pregnancy rates over natural cycle insemination.
  3. FSH Ovulation Induction – Ovarian stimulation is stronger with this option and it has been shown to increase pregnancy rates over Natural Cycle insemination and Clomiphene Citrate IUI. Regular monitoring of the patient is required to minimise complications relating to overstimulation.

Your fertility specialist will select the treatment option that best suits your needs.

 

What is the donor insemination process?

The process of donor insemination involving ovulation induction includes the following steps:

Step 1: Ovarian Stimulation

Ovarian stimulation involves taking oral medication or follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) injections at the start of your period to stimulate the ovaries and encourage the growth of multiple follicles containing eggs.

Next Step

You can also download our donor insemination graphic here.

 

How long does it take to determine donor insemination’s success?

Your pregnancy test is performed two weeks after the insemination. The time between the insemination and your pregnancy test is often emotionally charged with expectation and anxiety. We understand that this can be a difficult time and encourage you to contact your fertility clinic for support.

 

If your donor insemination treatment is unsuccessful

If your artificial insemination or donor insemination procedure is unsuccessful, we encourage you to have a follow-up appointment with your fertility specialist. At this appointment, plans for further treatment can be made and any questions answered.

In vitro fertilisation (IVF) has a much higher pregnancy success rate than donor insemination with an average pregnancy rate of approximately 42.5%*. It is generally recommended that you move to IVF if donor insemination has been unsuccessful after two. Your fertility specialist will discuss treatment with you at follow-up consultations.

 

Donor Insemination FAQs

How much does artificial insemination cost?Click to show

At Rainbow Fertility, we recognise that each person’s path to parenthood is unique. That’s why our fee structure is designed to align with your personalised treatment plan, carefully developed by your Fertility Specialist. The cost of donor insemination, also known as Intra-uterine Insemination (IUI), is $1,050 with your estimated out-of-pocket cost (after Medicare rebate, if eligible) of $975.

You can learn more about our treatment costs here.

What are the success rates of donor insemination?Click to show

Success rates for Intrauterine Insemination (IUI) can vary depending on whether donor sperm or a partner’s sperm is used. Several factors influence these outcomes, and your Fertility Specialist will provide personalised guidance based on your circumstances.

IUI success with partner’s sperm

  • Under 39 years: 10%*

 IUI success with donor sperm

  • Under 35 years: 21.4%
  • 35 – 39 years: 15.2%*

If IUI is unsuccessful after two attempts, moving to in vitro fertilisation (IVF) is generally recommended, as IVF offers significantly higher success rates. Your specialist will help determine the best treatment pathway for you.

What is the difference between donor insemination/IUI and IVF?Click to show

The main difference between donor insemination and IVF lies in how fertilisation occurs. With donor insemination, fertilisation happens naturally within the uterus after sperm is placed directly inside, allowing it to meet the egg on its own. In contrast, IVF involves a more controlled process where fertilisation takes place in a laboratory, with the egg and sperm combined outside the body before the embryo is transferred to the uterus.

What are the potential risks associated with artificial insemination?Click to show

Potential risks and side effects associated with donor insemination include:

  • Infection: This may be more common among people with a history of pelvic infection. This can develop in 1% of cases where ovaries become enlarged, and fluid accumulates in the abdomen. This complication requires rest, monitoring, intravenous fluids and sometimes drainage.
  • Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome (OHSS): This can develop in 1% of cases where ovaries become enlarged, and fluid accumulates in the abdomen. This complication requires rest, monitoring, intravenous fluids and sometimes drainage.
  • Multiple pregnancies: If there are too many follicles seen on ultrasound before the donor insemination is carried out, the risk of multiple pregnancies may be too high and the procedure may be cancelled.
  • Failed procedure: In a small number of cases, it is not possible to place the catheter into position through the cervix, and the sperm cannot be inserted into the uterine cavity.

 

PLEASE NOTE:

  • As of 4th June 2020, people wishing to have assisted reproductive treatment in Victoria are no longer required to undergo a criminal records check and child protection order check. For further information please visit our page Legislative Requirements – Victoria.
  • All treatment procedures are carried out at City Fertility in our RTAC (Reproductive Technology Accreditation Committee)-accredited fertility clinics, where gametes (eggs and sperm) and

 

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