Dr. Jennifer Hintzsche, Ph.D.
What to Know About the Syringe for Home Insemination
Updated: Jan 30
Bottom line, the syringe for home insemination is crucial for your success. Here, we explain how it works, why it’s important and important tips for taking your fertility journey in your own hands.
How Home Insemination Works
Intracervical insemination (ICI) is a safe and affordable option for people seeking reproductive assistance in the comfort of their own homes. Better yet, it is equally successful as intrauterine insemination (IUI) performed in fertility clinics.
ICI involves using a plastic, needle-less syringe to inject sperm into the vagina at the opening of the cervix. The syringe allows the sperm to be placed closer to the uterus, increasing the chances of fertilization.
The sperm needs to be collected in a sterile cup before being placed in the syringe for home insemination. The next step requires you or your partner to insert the syringe into your vagina as far as it will comfortably go before gently pressing the plunger of the syringe and emptying it completely.
It can be helpful to elevate your hips on some pillows to assist with gravity and remain lying down for at least 15-30 minutes after the procedure to give the sperm sufficient time to travel into the uterus. Try doing this before bed, and then don’t get to pee. Although there is little evidence to support the idea that raising your hips makes a difference. But, why not if it might work?
The Importance of the Syringe
The s