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When Dr. Jennifer Hintzsche, Ph.D, was trying to conceive, she came upon a barrier that many women and couples face — 6 months into trying she knew something wasn’t right, but she also assumed that she had to wait 12 months before being able to see a fertility specialist. In the aftermath of her own experience, she created PherDal, the only FDA-cleared sterile at-home fertility treatment. The treatment is available through Wisp, PherDal’s exclusive telehealth provider.
“PherDal was born from this necessity to have a safe and affordable alternative option for getting sperm closer to the egg,” explains Dr. Jenn. “People who know something isn’t working, like I did at six months, are the best candidates for at-home insemination because it could give your fertility just the little boost it needs to conceive.”
During at-home insemination, the syringe helps get sperm to the cervical opening at a higher rate than found in natural intercourse.
According to Dr. Jenn: “During natural intercourse, only 1% of sperm reach the opening of the cervix. PherDal is the longest at-home insemination syringe and the only sterile syringe that delivers greater than 95% of the sperm directly to the cervical opening. More sperm closer to the egg means an increased probability of conception!”
How at-home insemination kits work
An at-home insemination checklist includes sperm (either fresh or frozen) and all of the insemination tools found in a kit like PherDal’s.
“Each PherDal kit comes with three insemination attempts with three sets of sterile and individually wrapped syringes and collections jars that are for one-time use only,” explains Dr. Jenn. “On the three most fertile days of your cycle, use one disposable syringe and collection jar to perform insemination. It is as simple as collecting a sample using our sterile round-bottomed jar. Filling the sterile syringe with the sample and inserting it just like a tampon.”
When it comes to the sperm you will be using during your at-home insemination round; you can use fresh or frozen sperm.
If you are using frozen sperm, you want to ensure it was properly frozen and from a sperm bank. The difference between fresh and frozen sperm is when the sperm is collected. Fresh sperm is any sperm that is produced and used within an hour, according to Dr. Jenn.
When is the best time to inseminate at home?
You want to time the use of your at-home insemination kit to your three most fertile days, and the best way to narrow down that timeframe is to track your ovulation. You can use a kit like Proov's Complete Testing System to do so.
“Timing is critical to conception no matter the method of conception, including ICI, IUI, and IVF,” explains Dr. Jenn. “The more confident you are in the timing of your ovulation, the more likely you are to have sperm ready to meet the egg when it’s released. That egg is only viable for 24 hours, so by inseminating 3 days in a row, you increase the likelihood of sperm meeting egg at just the right time!”
In addition to narrowing down your ideal 3-day timeframe, Dr. Jenn also suggests deciding where you will use the at-home insemination kit and who you will turn to for support throughout your journey because no matter how you’re trying to conceive, it takes a village to turn to for encouragement.
“ICI kits like PherDal are best used somewhere comfortable,” explains Dr. Jenn. “Make sure to prepare ahead of time for a clean place to prepare and then a comfortable place to inseminate.”
The team at PherDal also recommends trying at-home insemination for at least six months before moving on to other fertility treatments since, like any other assisted reproductive technology (ART), it can take a few rounds to work.
But, as Dr. Jenn explained, the kits do work and can help families come closer to their dream of adding a little one to their family. Dr. Jenn experienced this firsthand when, as she shared, in her second month of using the kit, she became pregnant with her daughter, who became the first PherDal baby.
To learn more, visit Wisp for education, services, and resources for your fertility journey.