At-Home Artificial Insemination Using a Cervical Cap

Artificial insemination (AI) is the process by which sperm is placed into the reproductive tract of a female for the purpose of impregnating the female by using means other than sexual intercourse.

In humans, it is used as assisted reproductive technology, primarily to treat infertility but is also increasingly used to enable women without a male partner (i.e., single women and lesbians) to produce children by using sperm provided by a sperm donor. The woman is the gestational and genetic mother of the child produced, and the sperm donor is the genetic or biological father of the child.

This page discusses one of the Artificial insemination (AI) methods using  at-home insemination - using a cervical cap.

Cervical cap insemination is a medical device used to treat low sperm count, low sperm motility, hostile vaginal environment, tilted cervix, and unexplained infertility. Cervical cap insemination can be done with untreated sperm or frozen sperm. The sperm is placed into a small cap and put directly onto the cervix of the woman.

The cervical cap is left in place for up to six hours giving all available sperm the opportunity to meet the egg. This medical procedure can be done either at home with a kit, or in a physician's office. Cervical cap insemination may be performed with or without ovulation stimulating medications.

Additionally, it is possible to use a cervical cap with a tube for adding sperm after the cup is in place.