Problem
As key part of creating the treatment experience for people using the Béa Applicator at home was understanding what people are doing currently. While I was able build understanding of the clinical fertility treatments such as IUI and IVF through user interviews, expert interviews, published research and written accounts, I soon realised understanding what happens at homes is a challenge of its own.
First, there is very little existing research on how people use at-home insemination methods such as turkey basters. Second, people who had done “DIY insemination” at home were not coming through my usual research recruitment funnels.
What was done
In 2022, I set up a series of in-depth interviews to build that understanding of the experiences of people who had tried at-home insemination methods and to create a picture of the existing options available for people.
Outcome & impact
The study revealed gaps in available information for people considering home insemination, in particular regarding information about efficacy. A further key finding is that home insemination is often not perceived as a legitimate method of trying to conceive. Participants expressed feeling of shame around their experiences, describing home insemination as something they “might as well try” in lieu of other alternatives even if they did not believe it would work. More accessible information and affordable options should be made available to provide safe and effective fertility treatment at home.
The study has had a long-lasting and wide impact across Béa Fertility, including:
- The information gaps revealed through the study directly informed the content and support provided throughout the Béa Treatment Experience
- Instructions on how to handle a semen sample were included in the Instructions for Use, treatment emails and educational content on the Béa Fertility website.
- Understanding the existing perceptions of at-home insemination allowed the marketing teams to target that perception through campaigns.
Publication
In 2024 the research was accepted to the Fertility 2024 conference as a poster. The annual Fertility Conference is hosted by the Association of Reproductive & Clinical Scientists, the British Fertility Society and the Society for Reproduction and Fertility.
