AI - the introduction of semen into the female genital tract - can be in the vagina, cervical canal or in the uterus (after careful preparation of a sperm sample in culture medium).
Artificial insemination with husband's sperm may be indicated where conception via intercourse has failed, or where there are psychosexual problems (impotence, premature ejaculation), or to bypass the cervical canal, artificial insemination with husbands sperm may be indicated.
With Donor Sperm (AID, DI, TID)
Donor insemination is used in cases of complete male infertility (e.g. Klinefelter's syndrome) or where there is major sperm dysfunction.
Artificial insemination has been undertaken for hundreds of years and more recently as a clinical procedure in the treatment of infertility.
For some people it may be the only option - there may be severe male factor problems or a single woman may wish to have a child and consider donor insemination. For others it may be the only realistic option within their limited resources and IVF or ICSI are too expensive.
All people wishing to consider artificial insemination with donor sperm will need to consider the implications, which may include legal considerations (inheritance etc.), confidentiality (should they tell their families/friends and does the child have the right to know the means of their conception and the identity of the donor). Different countries have different regulations and methods of recruiting donors. Independent counselling may help people decide whether they can accept the implications of using donor sperm.
In many countries (UK, Sweden, Australia etc)children born as a result of donor gametes have the right to information about the donor on reaching the age of 18.