This form of treatment involves using sperm donated anonymously by another man. It is offered when

• The man’s sperm count or quality is very poor and the couple decide against having ICSI, or
• He has no sperm in his semen, or
• He has an infectious disease which could be passed on to any children, or
• His blood group is not compatible with the woman’s.
• He has a genetic disorder which could be passed on to any children.

Couples considering donor insemination should be offered independent counseling about the implications for them and any potential children. All potential sperm donors should also be offered the chance to see an independent counselor, to help them to look at what donation will mean for them, any children they have, and any children they might have as a result of donation.

Before starting treatment by donor insemination, the female partner should be assessed to  confirm that she is ovulating and her fallopian tubes are open if there is anything about hermedical history that suggests they may be damaged. If there is no history of damage to her fallopian tubes, she can be offered three cycles of donor insemination and if unsuccessful, tests to check fallopian tube patency can be done. If ovulation is occurring regularly and tubes are patent, at least six cycles of donor insemination can be performed.

If pregnancy does not occur after six cycles of donor insemination, other forms of treatment like IVF can be considered.