Artificial insemination is the process by which sperm is placed into the reproductive tract of the female, by using means other than sexual intercourse. It is increasingly used by single women and lesbian couples to conceive using donor sperm. It is also used as an assisted reproductive technique, to treat infertility using sperm from the woman's male partner or sperm from a sperm donor (donor sperm) where the male partner produces no sperm.
Artificial insemination using a home insemination kit may also be used by hetersexual couples, either because sexual intercourse is physically difficult or simply to act as an alternative method, to try and increase success rates.