Editing Insemination (section)

==Natural insemination==

[[File:Naturalinsemination.jpg|thumb|Natural insemination of the female reproductive tract]]

Insemination during [[sexual intercourse]] through [[penile–vaginal intercourse|penile–vaginal penetration]] is referred to as ''natural insemination'' (i.e., insemination by natural means).<ref>{{cite web |title=What is natural insemination? |url=https://www.co-parentmatch.com/Natural-Insemination-NI.aspx#2|access-date=4 December 2015}}</ref><ref name="Evan Jones">{{cite book |title=Human Reproductive Biology|isbn =978-0120884650|publisher=[[Academic Press]] |year=2006 <!-- As the title of the book implies, almost the entire book discusses this matter.-->|access-date=November 8, 2012 |url=https://archive.org/details/humanreproductiv0000jone_l0u3|url-access=registration|author1=Richard Evan Jones |author2=Kristin H. López }}</ref> If an [[Personal lubricant#Vaginal lubricants|artificial lubricant]] needs to be used, care must be taken that it does not have spermicidal properties.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Mowat |first1=Alex |last2=Newton |first2=Cora |last3=Boothroyd |first3=Clare |last4=Demmers |first4=Kristy |last5=Fleming |first5=Steven |date=March 2014 |title=The effects of vaginal lubricants on sperm function: an in vitro analysis |journal=Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics |volume=31 |issue=3 |pages=333–339 |doi=10.1007/s10815-013-0168-x |pmc=3947082 |pmid=24390681}}</ref> During [[ejaculation]], [[semen]], containing male gametes known as [[Spermatozoon|sperm]], is expelled from the [[penis]] through the male [[urethra]] into the moist and warm environment of the female [[Female reproductive system|reproductive tract]]. In humans, semen is usually ejaculated into the posterior [[vaginal fornix]] in direct contact with [[cervical mucus]],<ref name="Adashi">{{cite book |title=Reproductive Endocrinology, Surgery, and Technology|isbn =0781702038|publisher=Lippincott-Raven |year=1996|chapter=Gamete Transport|access-date=April 25, 2021 |url=https://archive.org/details/reproductiveendo0001unse|url-access=registration|author1=Eli Y. Adashi |author2=John A. Rock |author3=Zev Rosenwaks}}</ref> though sperm may swim from other areas of the vagina or vulva to the [[cervix]]. The average volume of semen produced at ejaculation is 2 to 5 millilitres (about a teaspoon),<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.netdoctor.co.uk/conditions/sexual-health/a12002/semen-and-sperm-quality/|title=How semen quality affects male fertility|date=18 June 2019|access-date=1 December 2019|archive-date=8 November 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151108042900/http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/menshealth/facts/semenandsperm.htm|url-status=dead}}</ref> containing an average of 182 million sperm.<ref name="Evan Jones"/> Only a small proportion of the sperm in each ejaculation reach the site of fertilization in the [[fallopian tube]]s, their numbers decreasing exponentially as they progress through the female reproductive tract. The majority of sperm either die in the acidic environment of the vagina or drip out with the semen.<ref name="Evan Jones"/> Prior to [[ovulation]], the cervical mucus becomes thinner and more hospitable to sperm. Sperm swim rapidly into the uterus upon encountering cervical mucus, though many become lost in the cervical crypts where they either die or are delayed.<ref name="Adashi"/> Further attrition occurs in the uterus, where sperm are attacked by the female immune system. Only about 100–1000 sperm reach the fallopian tubes,<ref name="Carr and Blackwell">{{cite book |title=Textbook of Reproductive medicine|isbn =083858893X|publisher=Appleton & Lange |year=1998|chapter=Fertilization, Embryogenesis, and Implantation|access-date=April 25, 2021 |url=https://archive.org/details/reproductiveendo0001unse|url-access=registration|author1=Bruce R. Carr|author2=Richard E. Blackwell}}</ref> where they may survive for up to six days.<ref name="Evan Jones"/> If ovulation occurs and the sperm encounter an [[ovum]] in the fallopian tube, fertilization may occur.

A woman may also be naturally inseminated while having penile–vaginal intercourse for pleasure without any intent to conceive. This may be unintentional as a result of the failure of a [[birth control#barrier|barrier]] or [[birth control#behavioural|behavioural]] method of [[contraception]], or may be intentional if relying on female contraceptive methods or indifferent to the possibility of pregnancy.<ref name = "Evan Jones"/> In most cultures, insemination by a male through sexual intercourse, whether the woman's husband, normal sex partner or not, is subject to social and sexual inhibitions and taboos, and has legal, moral and interpersonal implications.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Walshe|first1=M. O'C.|title=Buddhism and Sex|url=http://www.accesstoinsight.org/lib/authors/walshe/wheel225.html|website=Access to Insight|access-date=4 December 2015}}</ref>

The term is also used in the context of third-party insemination, where a male who is not the woman's usual sexual partner (i.e., a sperm donor) fathers a child for the woman by providing his sperm through sexual intercourse rather than by providing his sperm for it to be used to produce a pregnancy in the woman by artificial means.<ref>{{cite news|title=Sex for babies offer: Women desperate to get pregnant offering to sleep with sperm donors|url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/real-life-stories/natural-insemination-women-desperate-baby-1862462|access-date=4 December 2015|publisher=Mirror|date=1 May 2013}}</ref> The incidence of natural insemination by a sperm donor is usually a private matter, and may also carry greater health risks than where sperm has been processed by a fertility center. Advocates claim natural insemination generates higher pregnancy rates and a more 'natural' conception which does not involve the intervention and intrusion of third parties. However, it has not been medically proven that natural insemination has an increased chance of pregnancy.<ref name="vanda">{{cite web|title=What is natural insemination?|date=10 May 2013|url=http://sg.theasianparent.com/natural-insemination|access-date=4 December 2015 |quote=Natural insemination has not been recognised in any state as a legal contract, and is still viewed as a natural procreation process where the sperm donor, or the biological father in this case, is still liable for care and support of the child.  That means that unlike artificial insemination, a woman pregnant through natural insemination has a legal right to claim child support from the donor and the donor has a legal right to the custody of the child.  }}</ref> Additionally, conceiving through natural insemination is considered a natural process, so the father may be liable for child support and have custody and other rights of the child.<ref name="vanda"/> The law usually draws a distinction between a man fathering a child by natural means, and a man who provides his sperm for it to be used to father a child by artificial means (i.e. by artificial insemination).