Assisted reproduction

Information for the public

Assisted reproduction is the name given to treatments that can help you get pregnant without you having sexual intercourse. There are a variety of treatments, and what is suitable for you will depend on your own circumstances. The options include:

intrauterine insemination (IUI)
in vitro fertilisation (IVF)
IVF with intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI)
the use of donor sperm (donor insemination) or eggs (egg donation).

These treatments are described in the sections that follow.

Other methods of assisted reproduction called gamete intrafallopian transfer (GIFT) or zygote intrafallopian transfer (ZIFT) are not recommended.

Certain forms of assisted reproduction (IUI, IVF, ICSI, donor insemination and egg donation) are regulated by law and their use is controlled by the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA).