IUI with Donor Sperm
Intrauterine insemination (IUI) with donor sperm is a fertility treatment that places carefully screened donor sperm directly into the womb around the time of ovulation. At Bourn Hall, we support single women, same-sex female couples and couples affected by male fertility challenges, providing expert, sensitive guidance from the very beginning.
Page Guide
We understand that fertility treatment can be a complex and emotional journey. Our team is dedicated to providing you with all the information and support you need throughout the process.
How it works
What is IUI with donor sperm?
IUI with donor sperm is a fertility treatment that uses sperm from a carefully screened donor to help you try to conceive. The donor sperm is prepared in the laboratory before being placed directly into the womb around the time of ovulation, when the chances of conception are highest.
Unlike in vitro fertilisation (IVF), fertilisation happens inside the body rather than in a laboratory.
Your treatment is thoughtfully timed around your cycle, with support from the Bourn Hall team at each stage.
Is IUI with donor sperm right for me?
IUI with donor sperm may be suitable if you’re hoping to conceive using donor sperm and your fallopian tubes are open and healthy. It’s often considered when there are no known issues with ovulation or when ovulation can be supported with medication.
This treatment may be an option if you’re:
- A single woman planning parenthood
- Part of a same-sex female couple
- In a heterosexual couple affected by sperm-related fertility challenges
- Looking for a treatment where fertilisation can happen inside the body
For single women and LGBTQ+ families, donor sperm IUI can offer a supported path to pregnancy, with expert care at every stage.
For female same-sex couples, one partner may choose to carry the pregnancy. Depending on your circumstances and preferences, other options, such as IVF with donor sperm or shared motherhood, may also be explored.
Your fertility specialist will talk through your medical history, arrange any recommended fertility tests and explain which treatment options may be most appropriate for you. If IUI is the right approach, it will form part of your personalised treatment plan.
How successful is IUI with donor sperm?
IUI donor sperm success rates can vary from person to person. Factors such as your age, ovarian reserve, cycle regularity, fallopian tube health and any other fertility considerations identified during your assessment can all influence your chances of success.
Some people conceive after one cycle, while others may need more than one attempt. Your fertility specialist will explain what success rates may look like for you and how many cycles of donor sperm IUI may be recommended before considering another treatment option.
At Bourn Hall, we’ll talk through your results and treatment plan honestly and sensitively.
Your fertility treatment journey at Bourn Hall
Your journey starts with an initial consultation, where we’ll discuss your medical history, fertility health and hopes for treatment. We may recommend fertility tests to check your ovarian reserve, ovulation and fallopian tubes, helping us determine whether IUI with donor sperm is a suitable option for you.
If you decide to go ahead with treatment, we’ll help you plan your treatment cycle. You’ll also receive support with choosing donor sperm, including information about donor screening, availability and the details that can be shared with you.
Throughout your cycle, we’ll monitor how your body is responding, so we can identify the best time for treatment. This may include:
- Scans to check how your follicles are developing
- Blood tests to monitor hormone levels
- Ovulation tracking to help time insemination accurately
When the time is right, the prepared donor sperm is placed directly into the womb using a thin, flexible tube. The procedure is usually quick and doesn’t normally require an anaesthetic. After treatment, we’ll explain what to expect next, when to take a pregnancy test and the support available to you once you receive your result.
Choosing donor treatment can bring many different feelings. You may feel hopeful, excited, uncertain or overwhelmed at different points along the way. These emotions are all valid, and you don’t have to work through them on your own.
At Bourn Hall, we offer counselling to help you explore what donor sperm IUI could mean for you and your future family. Counselling provides a dedicated space to talk through your thoughts and feel more prepared before starting treatment.
Discover IUI with donor sperm at Bourn Hall
Thinking about donor sperm IUI can raise both practical questions and personal considerations. At Bourn Hall, we’ll take time to understand your circumstances, explain your options clearly and help you make informed decisions about your treatment and family-building plans.
Flexible Pricing Options
To help make your treatment affordable and achievable, we offer fixed price treatment package options and a variety of finance solutions for patients looking to spread all or part of the cost of their treatment.
Explore our prices
Discover our prices and finance options, making treatments more accessible for you.
Book a 15 minute Discovery call
Schedule a Discovery call to find out which tests and treatments are right for you.
Fertility funding partners we work with:
Our IVF success rates
At Bourn Hall, you can be assured of the best chances of having a baby within the shortest possible time. If you are under 35, you have a 72% chance of falling pregnant within one year.
*Data from 2025
If you are under 35, you have a 72% chance of falling pregnant within one year.
If you are 35-37 years old and you continue treatment with Bourn Hall, you have a 64% chance of getting pregnant within one year.
If you are a female aged over 40 and you continue treatment with Bourn Hall, you have about a 50% chance of getting pregnant within one year.
Success rates by age
At Bourn Hall, you can be assured of the best chances of having a baby within the shortest possible time. If you are under 35, you have a 72% chance of falling pregnant within one year.
*Data from 2025
Younger than 35
If you are under 35, you have a 72% chance of falling pregnant within one year.
35 to 39 years old
If you are 35-37 years old and you continue treatment with Bourn Hall, you have a 64% (58% for 38-39 year olds) chance of getting pregnant (pregnancy seen on scan) within one year.
40+ years old
If you are a female over 40 and you continue treatment with Bourn Hall, you have about a 50% chance of getting pregnant within one year.
Support at every stage
As one of the UK’s top fertility treatment centres, our values ensure we put our patients first.
Passion
Adaptability
Commitment
Teamwork and Collaboration
Our fertility milestones
1978
The world's first IVF baby
1980
Year founded by IVF pioneers
25000
Babies born through Bourn Hall
Patient reviews
Genuine experiences from real patients. See why so many trust us with their fertility care.
“We went to an open evening at Bourn Hall Wickford and came away feeling really positive about the place. The staff were really friendly and the presentation was clear about the statistics regarding success rates and live birth rates; their data was very transparent. We came away feeling like we would really be looked after.”
Katy and Leigh are parents to Charlie after IVF
Patient 2023
“We chose to make an appointment at Bourn Hall Wickford because of the favourable reviews. When we got there and met the staff they were just so lovely, making us feel welcome and explaining to us what tests would need to be done and what our options were; we just thought ‘yes, let’s get the ball rolling!”
Jess and Fran are mums to Nathan after IVF with donor sperm
Patient 2023
Patient stories
Our patients are at the heart of everything we do, and we are always inspired by the success stories they have to share. Hear directly from our previous patients as they share their unique journeys to parenthood.
April & Giacomo’s Fertility Journey: Overcoming Male Factor Infertility Challenges
April and Giacomo’s journey to parenthood was filled with uncertainty, waiting, and emotional challenges, but throughout it…
From Challenges to Joy
Every fertility journey is different, and for Kim and her husband, the path to parenthood brought both…
Sophie’s Journey to Motherhood: Becoming a Solo Mum with Donor Treatment
At Bourn Hall, we’re privileged to support people on every path to parenthood. Today, we’re sharing Sophie’s…
Upcoming fertility events
Join our experts at a range of events including support groups, webinars and open evenings.
Learn more about the options available to you, from fertility tests to treatments, and find answers to any questions you might have.
Related information
If you qualify for NHS-funded fertility treatment under the NHS Norfolk and Waveney Integrated Care Board, our fertility diagnostic pathway is the same as the services offered by your local NHS hospital but with much shorter waiting times and in an environment dedicated to fertility services.
Our male couples fertility testing package includes semen analysis tests for you both, a free 30-minute consultation with our fertility nutritionist and a private consultation.
We offer fertility health and wellbeing packages at our clinics in Cambridge, Norwich, Wickford, or at home. Our male package includes a semen analysis, a free 30-minute consultation with our fertility nutritionist, and personalised doctor-written report explaining your results.
Our female couples fertility testing package includes options to provide you both with results on your fertility. These include AMH blood tests for ovarian reserve; TSH to assess your thyroid stimulating hormone; an ultrasound scan; and personalised doctor-written report explaining your results.
Our female package includes the option of AMH blood tests for ovarian reserve; TSH to assess your thyroid stimulating hormone, an ultrasound scan; and personalised doctor-written report explaining your results. Additionally, we include a free 30-minute consultation with our fertility nutritionist to provide you with nutrition and lifestyle advice.
For heterosexual couples, our female and male fertility testing package includes the option of semen analysis; AMH blood tests for ovarian reserve; TSH to assess your thyroid stimulating hormone; ultrasound scan; and personalised doctor-written report explaining your results.
Once you’ve made the decision to extend your family, even thinking that you might have a fertility issue can be stressful. And for a man, the thought that your sperm might not be in tip-top condition is definitely a cause for concern.
Frequently asked questions
Your questions answered. Find clarity on every step of your fertility journey.
Donor sperm used in treatment comes from a carefully regulated sperm bank or, in some cases, from a known donor. Before sperm can be used in treatment, donors undergo screening that includes health checks, medical history reviews and testing for certain infections and genetic conditions. Your Bourn Hall team will explain your donor sperm options and help you understand what information is available.
At Bourn Hall, you can view detailed, non-identifying profiles of sperm donors to help you make a choice that feels right for you. These profiles include information such as physical characteristics, interests and background.
Our team will guide you through the process with care and answer any questions you may have along the way
In the UK, sperm donors are identity-release donors. This means that donor-conceived children can apply for identifying information about their donor once they reach the age of 18. Before then, some non-identifying information may be available. We’ll explain what this means before treatment begins, so you have a clear understanding of the options and future implications.
IUI with donor sperm is a well-established fertility treatment, but it may not be suitable for everyone. Success rates can be influenced by age, ovulation, fallopian tube health and wider fertility factors.
Some people conceive after a small number of treatment cycles, while others may be advised to consider IVF with donor sperm instead. Your specialist will discuss the likely benefits and limitations based on your circumstances.
The cost of donor sperm IUI can depend on your treatment plan, fertility tests, cycle monitoring, medication and donor sperm arrangements. During your consultation, we’ll explain what may be involved and provide detailed information about the costs before you decide to proceed.
The number of cycles recommended varies from person to person. Some people may be advised to try several cycles, while others may be guided towards a different treatment sooner, depending on age, fertility test results and treatment history.
Your Bourn Hall specialist will help you understand what may be realistic in your circumstances and when it may be time to review your treatment plan and consider other options.