Overview
There are two primary routes to donating sperm:
1) Donate through a sperm bank or licenced fertility clinic
2) Donate directly to a recipient through an online sperm donor matching service
The sperm donation process will differ depending on which route you choose.
In this section we will answer your most frequently asked questions about sperm donation. We will highlight the difference for donors who donate outside a fertility clinic.
Why do some people need donated sperm?
Lesbian couples and single women make up a huge percentage of those who are searching for a sperm donor. Heterosexual women who are unable to get pregnant naturally also seek sperm donors. The main reason for this is that the male partner is not producing enough sperm or his sperm is of a low quality. Some men may have diseases that they do not wish to pass on to their children.
Am I eligible to donate my sperm?
Donating through a Sperm Bank: Most sperm banks will recruit donors aged between 18 and 41. You will need to have numerous health tests completed for diseases such as HIV and Hepatitis. The results of these tests can take up to six months.
Donating via a Sperm Donor Matching Website: There is no upper age limit to donating through an online sperm donor website. You do however need to be at least 18 years of age. You are also personally responsible for your own health and fertility checks.
How much does a sperm donor get paid?
Donating through a Sperm Bank: In the UK sperm donors can get paid £35 per visit to a sperm bank. In the USA this figure rises significantly where we see sperm donors earning to up to $1000 per month. Canada, Australia and New Zealand do not pay their sperm donors any money. The European Sperm Bank in Denmark will pay up to 500 Krone per donation.
Donating via a Sperm Donor Matching Website: Sperm donors will not receive any payment for donating through an online matching service. This is because it is illegal to sell your sperm. Donors can request to be compensated for expenses such as travel and parking.
What’s the process for donating my sperm?
Donating through a Sperm Bank: A sperm bank will ask you to provide some personal information. You will also be asked to complete some non-identifying information such as a personal description and a goodwill message which will be available to anyone considering buying your sperm. Your identifying information will be available to any children conceived with your donation when they turn 18.
You will need to complete various health tests for any serious genetic diseases, before you can donate.
You should also tell your clinic about any problems in your or your family’s medical histories. If you do not tell the truth about any known conditions that your child may inherit you could be in trouble with the law.
You will have to receive some counselling sessions as your clinic is legally obliged to offer you this service. This process will help you to think about your decision and how it could affect you and your family in the future.
You will need to consent in writing before donating your sperm.
The donation process itself involves going to a fertility clinic once a week for up to six months.
When you attend you’ll be asked to ejaculate into a cup. Your sperm will then be frozen and ready for use.
Your sperm sample will be analysed to check sperm count and motility. If they are suitable for freezing, they are mixed with a cryoprotectant solution and frozen in liquid nitrogen.
Donating via a Sperm Donor Matching Website: You will select your female recipient through an online matching process. You would then meet your recipient in person and arrange your chosen method of insemination.
You should arrange to be tested through your doctor for sexual health, genetic diseases and fertility levels. Your choices include donating though a sperm bank, donating via home insemination or natural insemination. Home insemination involves ejaculating into a specimen cup for the recipient to them inseminate themselves using a syringe. Natural insemination means that you would have sexual intercourse with your recipient.
What health tests will I have?
Donating through a Sperm Bank: You will be tested for numerous conditions including:
HIV 1 & HIV 2
Hepatitis B and C
Syphilis
Chlamydia
Cytomegalovirus
Gonorrhoea
Trichomonas
HTLV 1 and 2
Rhesus antibody screen
Cystic Fibrosis
General Chromosome Screen
Ethnic specific tests such as Sickle Cell
Donors will also be asked to provide a semen sample for analysis to ensure that they are producing healthy sperm suitable for freezing.
Donating via a Sperm Donor Matching Website: You will need to approach your own doctor or local clinic to arrange exactly the same tests as a sperm bank would carry out. i.e:
Sperm count and motility
HIV 1 & HIV 2
Hepatitis B and C
Syphilis
Chlamydia
Cytomegalovirus
Gonorrhoea
Trichomonas
HTLV 1 and 2
Rhesus antibody screen
Cystic Fibrosis
General Chromosome Screen
Ethnic specific tests such as Sickle Cell
Will I be given pornography to help me produce a sample?
Donating through a Sperm Bank: All sperm banks and clinics have separate dedicated rooms with adult material in. When you go into the room there are magazines, TV and DVD. There is also material for gay men.
You can take your own pornography with you.
Donating via a Sperm Donor Matching Website: When you arrange to donate for home insemination you can choose to take your own adult material with you on the day.
What do I have to ejaculate into?
Donating through a Sperm Bank: You will be given a sterile pot before you enter the dedicated room and you will be asked to ejaculate into this pot.
Donating via a Sperm Donor Matching Website: You or your recipient should purchase a sterile specimen cup for you to ejaculate into.
Can I ejaculate into a condom?
Donating through a Sperm Bank: You will not be allowed to ejaculate into a condom as it could contaminate your sperm sample
Donating via a Sperm Donor Matching Website: Ejaculating into a condom should be avoided due to contamination.
Can I use my own adult material?
Donating through a Sperm Bank: You can take your own adult material into the room with you.
Donating via a Sperm Donor Matching Website: Yes you can choose which adult material may help you produce a sample.
Can someone else help me produce a sample?
Donating through a Sperm Bank: Nobody else will be in the room with you as the risk of contamination is too high.
Donating via a Sperm Donor Matching Website: This would need to be discussed and agreed between you and your recipient.
Can I produce a sample at home?
Donating through a Sperm Bank: The risk of contamination is too high to produce a sample at home.
Donating via a Sperm Donor Matching Website: Your specimen should reach your recipient within 10 minutes for insemination so if you live very close to your recipient it would be possible to produce a sample at home and transport it to your recipient. Alternatively your recipient could insemination themselves in your home.
What should I do if I’m nervous and can’t get it up on the day?
Donating through a Sperm Bank: Being put under pressure to perform on the day is a common fear and you can always speak to the staff to re-arrange.
Donating via a Sperm Donor Matching Website: You should discuss this with your recipient and arrange another date.
What if I miss the pot when I ejaculate?
Donating through a Sperm Bank: If you miss the pot it is very likely that you have to re-schedule your appointment as the sample may be contaminated.
Donating via a Sperm Donor Matching Website: You should not use the sample if you miss the pot. You will need to arrange another date for insemination.
Do I have to avoid masturbating or sex before donating?
For sperm quality to be at its optimum you will be asked to avoid having sex or masturbating for two to three days before each donation.
I’m gay. Can I donate sperm?
Donating through a sperm bank: Both gay and straight sperm donors are screened for the same medical conditions. Recipients who purchase sperm can select sperm based on the donor’s sexuality.
Donating via a Sperm Donor Matching Website: If you are gay you should state this on your profile. This way you will be connected with matches who are searching for a gay sperm donor.
Can I donate anonymously?
Donating through a sperm bank: In the UK, Australia and New Zealand you cannot donate anonymously. Any children conceived with the help of a donor can request their donor’s name, date of birth and last known address when they turn 18 years of age.
Sperm donors in the US and Canada can choose to be known or remain anonymous.
Sperm donors in Denmark, France and Spain can remain anonymous however in Germany, Norway, Sweden and Switzerland your details will be made available to your children.
Donating via a Sperm Donor Matching Website: As you are meeting your sperm donor in person and producing health information it is very difficult to remain anonymous. You can choose to be a ‘no contact donor’ meaning that after insemination you and your recipient agree that you would not have contact with the child.
Can I donate sperm if I have a piercing or tattoo?
Donating through a sperm bank: Sperm banks and clinics have individual regulations about piercings, tattoos and acupuncture so you would need to contact your clinic.
Donating via a Sperm Donor Matching Website: Yes, as long as your heath tests are clear and your recipient is happy to proceed you can donate your sperm.
If I have received donated blood, organs, or bone marrow can I donate?
Donating through a sperm bank: You would need to contact your clinic as they are likely to have specific regulations.
Donating via a Sperm Donor Matching Website: This will need to be agreed with your recipient.
Is there a limit on how many children I can help to conceive?
In the UK donated sperm cannot be used to create more than 10 families. There is no limit on the number of children born within each family. If 10 children are too many you can choose to donate to less.
In the USA and Canada there are guidelines to do with number of children born in a given population.
Will I find out if my donation has been successful?
Donating through a sperm bank: You are entitled to ask the number of children born, their gender and their year of birth.
Donating via a Sperm Donor Matching Website: This will be agreed before insemination with your recipient.
Should I tell my partner if I am donating sperm?
Donating through a sperm bank: This is a personal decision and should be discussed during your private counselling’s sessions.
Donating via a Sperm Donor Matching Website: This is a personal decision for you. It is worth talking to a counsellor to help you decide whether to tell your family.
Can I choose who to donate to?
Donating through a sperm bank: Yes you can choose who to donate to and this is often connected to issues around religion and culture.
Donating via a Sperm Donor Matching Website: Yes, the online matching service will give you complete control of who you choose to donate to.
How many children can be born from my donations?
No more than 10 families can be created from your sperm.
I drink and smoke, can I still donate sperm?
Donating through a sperm bank: It is very likely that you would be able to donate however you would need to take advice from your individual clinic on this matter.
Donating via a Sperm Donor Matching Website: Yes, your online donor profile will state if you drink or smoke helping your recipient to filter profiles.
I have suffered from stress, anxiety and depression, can I still donate?
Donating through a sperm bank: Clinics will make an individual assessment based on the information provided.
Donating via a Sperm Donor Matching Website: Yes, your online donor profile will state if you drink or smoke helping your recipient to filter profiles.
How often will I need to produce samples?
Donating through a sperm bank: You will need to produce samples in line with when your recipient is ovulating. To have a successful pregnancy it is best to inseminate over the 2-3 days during a woman’s fertile window.
Donating via a Sperm Donor Matching Website: If you donate outside of a licensed clinic then it is likely that you could be considered the legal father of any children conceived from your donation.