When I first set out to create the PherDal self-insemination kit, it wasn’t to start a company. It was to start a family.
My husband and I were facing the dreaded label of unexplained infertility. After 16 months of trying and no answers, we needed a next step that didn’t require tens of thousands of dollars or more months of waiting.
That next step turned out to be at-home intracervical insemination (ICI). Unfortunately, there was nothing that existed that was safe for sperm and sterile for me to put inside my body. So I ordered lab supplies and made my own safe and sterile ICI kit. And when it worked? We were overjoyed. But also…
Why did we have to make this ourselves?! Why hadn’t anyone made a clinical-grade (i.e. sterile and safe), at home insemination or ICI kit before?
There were those cheap dollar store sterile syringes–but those were made of plastics linked to infertility that hadn’t been shown to be safe for sperm, and used lubricants inside of them which also kill sperm.
A few insemination kits were being sold online, but it was clear to me that none of these companies had taken BIO 101. They were not even sterile–a basic quality you would expect from something meant for going into your body.
I taught college Biology to pre-nursing students for 12 years, and this was part of the first day’s lecture. So I was angry that people were being mislead into putting non-sterile devices into their bodies which could actually harm their fertility chances, not help it.
This eventually led to my decision to start PherDal—and a whole new journey into clinical-grade at-home medical devices, FDA clearance, and something most people never think about: packaging. I had to learn how to get our patented sterile device safely into someone’s home without compromising the sterile barrier.
Because here’s the truth: if your goal is to get pregnant, sterility matters more than packaging aesthetics. Let me explain.
Why Sterility Is a Big Deal in At-Home Insemination
When you’re trying to conceive, every tiny detail matters. Sperm are easily affected. The vaginal microbiome is carefully balanced. Even small amounts of bacteria can lower your chances of conception or interfere with your body’s natural ecosystem.
Many kits out there call themselves "clean" or "medical grade," but they aren't sterile, and they haven’t gone through FDA testing. As someone who has, I have to put that label on the box. If the box doesn’t say it’s sterile, it’s not. That means they were assembled in non-sterile environments then shipped in packaging that also isn’t sterile–meaning it can be exposed to any bacteria and debris from the factory to your doorstep.
I wouldn't make something I wouldn't put in my body myself.
If you want to mimic sex, then sure penises are not sterile.
If you want to mimic the fertility clinic, then sterility is a non-negotiable first-tier safety requirement.
Packaging That’s Built Like a Medical Device (Because It Is One)
We worked with the team at Package Concepts & Materials (PCM) to make sure our kit stays sterile from start to finish – even after being jostled through the mail. Their process is intense (in the best way), and I sat down with two members of their team – Sean and Greg – to explain exactly how it all works.
Here’s what we learned:
Interview
Q: How did you choose the shape and design for the PherDal box?
Sean: We wanted something practical and durable. The box has a front tuck closure and a high-grade corrugate to protect its contents. It’s simple, but strong.
Greg: Most companies use a 32 ECT (edge crush test) box. We chose a 44 ECT, which can withstand up to 95 pounds of pressure. That extra strength matters when shipping something this sensitive.
Q: What kind of testing did the packaging go through?
Sean: We used the ASTM D4169 test, the FDA-recognized simulation for medical devices. It includes dropping, altitude changes, and compression testing to make sure the sterile seal holds up during transit.
Q: What makes this packaging different from other fertility kits?
Greg: Honestly? Most aren’t treated like true medical devices. PherDal’s kit is. We use clean rooms, test for sterile barrier integrity, and follow ISO 13485 quality management systems. That’s not typical in this space.
Sean: We also made the outside of the box unbranded, for privacy. The marketing is inside the box. We know how personal this process is.
Behind the Scenes: How Sterility Is Maintained
Here’s what happens after our kits are assembled:
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They’re sealed inside a Class 7 cleanroom using 100-gauge Nylon and Tyvek™ air can get out but nothing can get in.
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They’re sent to a certified FDA-registered sterilizer, where any microbes are completely destroyed
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Each batch is tested to ensure that the sterile barrier stays intact, including quarterly testing of all machines and products.
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The final product passes strict validation to be the only sterile insemination kit FDA-cleared for home use
All so that what reaches your doorstep is the same quality as what you’d get in a clinical setting – without the cold waiting room or the cost.
It’s Not the Prettiest Box. And That’s the Point.
Our box isn’t flashy. It’s not designed to sit on a shelf.
It’s designed to get your tools safely into your hands – sterile, intact, and ready to use. Because when it comes to your fertility, we don’t cut corners.
Could we make it prettier? Sure. But as a start-up company, a pretty box wasn’t going to beat out safety. Instead, we’re making it prettier over time. Our motto was FDA cleared as safe first, prettiness second. I’d rather give you the highest standard of safety than a designer shipping box.
Why This Matters (Especially If You're Trying at Home)
Whether you’re navigating infertility, doing this solo, part of an LGBTQIA+ family, or just not ready to go the clinical route – at-home insemination is as intimate of a process as you can try.
And it deserves products that respect that. Sterility isn’t just a “nice to have.” It’s essential. It’s one less thing for you to worry about when everything else feels uncertain.
As the first PherDal mom, I wouldn’t send out a kit I wouldn’t use myself. That’s not marketing – that’s motherhood.
