What Are Insemination Kits?

An insemination kit is a collection of equipment used to artificially impregnate a woman or a female animal. These kits are used to introduce sperm into the female body where it might fertilize an egg. Often, insemination kits include needleless syringes through which the sperm is delivered, but the contents can vary based on whether an animal or a human female will be inseminated as well as the preferences of the person performing the insemination. Sometimes these kits are called self-insemination kits because they allow a woman to impregnate herself without the help of a partner to handle the equipment.

Often insemination kits intended for human females include small needleless syringes that allow a person to draw sperm up from a container and deliver it into a woman's vagina. Some, however, also contain catheters, which are thin tubes made of plastic. In many cases, these catheters are designed to fit over the tip of a syringe, allowing for a further reach during insemination. Catheters allow for placing sperm deeper in the vagina and closer to or inside the cervix, which is the part of the uterus that meets the vagina. Placing sperm close to or directly into the cervix may increase the likelihood of pregnancy.

Sometimes these kits include rubber cups or caps, which are meant to be worn for hours. After placing sperm in such a cup, the person performing the insemination can position it far up into the vagina and close to the cervix. This alternative to pushing the sperm into the body via a syringe keeps the sperm right near the opening of the uterus, allowing them to travel the rest of the way to meet an egg and possibly fertilize it. A cervical cap, which is more commonly used for birth control, can be placed over the cervix with the sperm in it, putting the sperm in a good position for fertilization. Another contraceptive, called a diaphragm, can be used in the same way.

While not required, items like speculums can come in handy and may be included in these kits. The person performing the insemination can use a speculum to see inside the woman’s vagina during the insemination. A speculum might also prove helpful for a self-insemination, as a woman can see what she is doing with the help of a speculum, a strong light, and a mirror. Some insemination kits also include items like sperm collection cups and disposable gloves. Additionally, they might include ovulation tests to help a woman determine when she is ovulating.

Generally, these collections of insemination equipment are considered safe for use by people without medical training. A woman may benefit, however, from seeking a doctor’s advice before she gets started. He or she may provide helpful information and cautionary tips.

The kits designed for inseminating animals often contain similar equipment, though this can vary depending on the type of animal. Often, the syringes and sperm collection containers used for animals are quite a bit larger, and many of these kits include a lubricant. Additionally, a flexible tube called an insemination pipette is often included and used in combination with a syringe for inseminating a female animal.