Artificial insemination may be a useful treatment where:

• a man has a low sperm count
• a couple are unable to have vaginal intercourse
• a condition (for example a virus) means that a couple needs help to conceive
• where a donor's sperm is being used by a same-sex couple or when a man in a mixed-sex couple is sterile

A sample of sperm is treated to remove dead sperm, slow sperm and impurities. A concentrated sample of healthy sperm is then passed through a catheter into the uterus. A sperm donor may also be used in artificial insemination in cases of a male being sterile.