Requirements for Artificial Insemination: age, semen quality, ovarian reserve and much more by Dr Katharina Spies

requisitos para la inseminación artificial

There is one question I hear constantly in consultations: Is artificial insemination the right treatment for me?

That doubt is entirely logical, because AI works very well when it is properly indicated… but when it isn’t, it can lead to months of waiting, frustration and beta waits that take their toll.

To help you understand clearly, we spoke to Dr Katharina Spies about the medical requirements for Artificial Insemination, when AI is recommended and when it is advisable to move on to IVF.

clinica de fertilidad en madrid equipo Vida fertility Dra. Katharina Spies especialista en fertilidad madrid

Requirements for Artificial Insemination

To get pregnant through Artificial Insemination, there are a number of factors that we at Vida Fertility always assess: patent fallopian tubes, the woman’s ovarian reserve and semen quality.

If these three factors align, Artificial Insemination (AI) may be a reasonable first option. If they do not align, it is usually better to design a completely personalised medical protocol, such as in vitro fertilisation (IVF).

fecundación in vitro-fiv-tto de fertilidad

Tubal patency

In artificial insemination, we place the semen, which has been previously processed and prepared, into the uterus; with this treatment, we ensure that fertilisation takes place naturally, in the fallopian tube.

If the fallopian tubes are blocked, fertilisation between the egg and the sperm cannot take place; therefore, the first step in determining whether Artificial Insemination is the right treatment for you is to undergo a hysterosalpingography.

How do I know if my fallopian tubes are open?

The most well-known test is hysterosalpingography (HSG).
In some cases, alternative techniques such as hysterosonohysterosalpingography are used.

If you have been trying to conceive for some time or have a history of (surgery, infections, endometriosis), it is advisable to carefully tailor the diagnosis and medical protocol to be followed.

Woman’s age and ovarian reserve

Age does not define your worth, but it does influence the likelihood of pregnancy with low-complexity techniques such as Artificial Insemination.

What are the requirements for artificial insemination for women?:

Age: at Vida Fertility, we do not perform artificial insemination on women over the age of 38. This is a compelling reason, as age affects the quantity and, above all, the quality of the eggs.
Ovarian reserve, which we analyse through:
- AMH (anti-Müllerian hormone) in blood.
- Antral follicle count via transvaginal ultrasound.

In some centres, it is commonly recommended that the woman be under 35–36 years of age, although the approach may vary depending on the individual case and protocol.

Are you unsure which treatment might be best for you based on your age and fertility? We have prepared a table showing the maximum age for undergoing assisted reproduction treatments in Spain.

You can view it here.

Semen quality

If there is a male partner, semen is the third pillar. Even in the same person, semen quality can vary, which is why the semen analysis and sample preparation are so important.

What is usually checked:

Semen analysis (concentration, motility, morphology).
Total motile sperm count (TMSC).

If the male factor is moderate to severe, it often makes more sense to proceed directly to ICSI, as the probability of success with artificial insemination is very low and the emotional toll can be enormous.

In other cases, where the male factor involves poor DNA fragmentation, is low, involves a genetic problem or has some abnormality or semen disorder, it is preferable to opt for artificial insemination with donor sperm .

If you would like more information on male infertility and which male fertility tests are carried out in these cases, you can discuss your case with us without obligation by booking an appointment here.

Consult us about your case

inseminación artificial-ia-tto de fertilidad

Differences between Artificial Insemination and In Vitro Fertilisation

At Vida Fertility, we decide which fertility treatment is best for you based on your fertility tests, your medical history and willingness to attend the clinic; therefore, it is important that you understand the differences between Artificial Insemination and In Vitro Fertilisation:

Comparison between Artificial Insemination and In Vitro Fertilisation

Treatment	Artificial Insemination (AI)	In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF)
Procedure	Introduction of sperm directly into the uterus.	Fertilisation of the egg in the laboratory and subsequent transfer.
Fertilisation	Occurs inside the woman’s fallopian tube.	Fertilisation takes place outside the body in an IVF laboratory.
Complexity	Simple and less invasive procedure.	More complex procedure requiring surgical intervention for egg retrieval and transfer.
Who is it for?	Women under 35 years old without tubal issues, endometriosis, or sperm-related problems. For mild or unexplained infertility.	Severe infertility, uterine issues, male factors, low ovarian reserve, advanced age.
Success rates	Between 15-20% per cycle, depending on age and infertility cause.	Between 50-60%, depending on age and embryo quality.
Cost	More affordable.	Higher treatment cost.
Number of attempts	Usually recommended up to 2-3 cycles.	Fewer attempts needed, higher success rate on the first cycle.
Treatment duration	Approximately 15 days.	Between 3 and 5 weeks, including ovarian stimulation and transfer.

Fertility consultation at Vida Fertility

In Spain, it is estimated that approximately 1 in 6 couples of reproductive age have difficulty conceiving.

If you have been trying to conceive for between 6 months and a year without success, it may be time to consult a fertility clinic for advice and to follow the medical protocol best suited to you.

Come and meet us or book an appointment with our fertility experts in Spain.

Consult us about your case

equipo Vida fertility Dra Marta Zermiani

Dra alejandra García-Villalba vida fertility

Dra Laura Rodríguez especialista en fertilidad

Vida Fertility Events

At Vida Fertility, we believe that feeling informed is the first step towards a more confident fertility journey.

Through our events, talks and private consultations, we help patients understand their options, ask questions and receive personalised guidance from our fertility specialists in Spain.

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