Intracervical Insemination (ICI)

About Intracervical Insemination (ICI)

Intracervical insemination is a simpler form of artificial insemination in which sperm, either fresh or previously frozen, is placed directly at the entrance of the cervix using a syringe or a specially designed cervical cap, rather than being processed and injected into the uterus as with IUI. Because the sperm is deposited close to but outside the uterus, it does not need to be washed or specially prepared beforehand, which makes the procedure less invasive and generally lower in cost than uterine-based techniques. The procedure can be timed to a natural ovulation cycle tracked through ovulation predictor kits or ultrasound monitoring, and it takes only a few minutes, requiring no anesthesia and minimal recovery time. ICI is commonly chosen by individuals or couples using donor sperm, those with mild fertility concerns, or patients who prefer the least invasive option before considering IUI or IVF, though success rates are generally lower per cycle than intrauterine techniques since fewer sperm reach the uterus. Patients typically undergo several monitored cycles before assessing whether to continue with ICI or move to a more involved treatment. Because the procedure requires little preparation, ICI can often be arranged with a short, flexible visit to a fertility clinic in India.