Semen donation

Overview

Sperm donation is a procedure in which a man donates semen — the fluid containing sperm that is released during ejaculation — to help an individual or a couple conceive a baby.

Donated sperm can be injected into a woman's reproductive organs (intrauterine insemination) or used to fertilize mature eggs in a lab (in vitro fertilization). The use of donated sperm is known as third-party reproduction.

A man who makes a sperm donation can be known or anonymous to the recipient. Sperm donations made to a known recipient are called directed donations.

Before you can donate sperm, you must be screened for medical conditions and other risk factors. It's also important to understand the possible emotional, psychological and legal issues of sperm donation.

Why it's done

Sperm donation is done to help an individual or a couple conceive a baby. You might choose to make a sperm donation to help those who are unable to conceive — such as a woman who doesn't have a male partner or a couple experiencing male infertility.

If you donate semen to a sperm bank, you'll likely be paid for each donation that passes the sperm bank's screening process. Payment is intended to compensate you for your time and any related expenses. The amount is typically low enough that money isn't the main incentive for donating.

Risks

There are no health risks associated with sperm donation.

How you prepare

If you're considering sperm donation, be mindful of the long-term impact of your decision.

If you're providing an anonymous donation, consider the following:

• Are you prepared to be the biological father of a child or multiple children whom you might never meet?
• What if children conceived with the help of your sperm donation wish to meet you one day?
• Will you tell your current or future family about your decision to donate sperm?

If you're providing a sperm donation to someone you know, consider hiring a lawyer to draft a contract that defines your financial and parental rights and obligations.

Screening

The Food and Drug Administration requires basic screening for infectious diseases and certain risk factors before a man can become a sperm donor. Some states and local governments require additional screening.

The American Society for Reproductive Medicine recommends that men who want to make sperm donations — including those who are known to recipients — complete these screenings:

• Age. Most sperm banks require donors to be between the ages of 18 and 39. Some sperm banks set an upper age limit of 34.
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• Physical exam. The exam will include taking samples of your blood and urine to test for infectious diseases, such as HIV. If you become a regular sperm donor, you'll need to have physical exams every six months while you provide sperm donations. You'll be asked to report any changes in your health.
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• Semen testing. You'll need to provide several samples of your semen. Before providing each sample, you'll likely be asked to abstain from ejaculation — either through sex or masturbation — for two to five days. The samples will be analyzed for sperm quantity, quality and movement.
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• Genetic testing. A blood sample will be analyzed to see if you're a carrier of any genetic conditions.
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• Family medical history. You'll need to provide details about the medical history of at least two previous generations of your family. A history that suggests the presence of a hereditary disease might disqualify you from donating sperm.
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• Psychological evaluation. You'll likely be asked if you're concerned about your personal information being shared with your biological children or about future contact with them. If you're donating your sperm to someone you know, you'll likely be asked to talk about your relationship with the recipient. If you have a partner, counseling might be helpful for him or her, too.
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• Personal and sexual history. You'll need to provide a detailed history of your sexual activities, drug use and other personal information to show whether you have risk factors for developing an infectious disease, such as HIV. You'll be asked to share detailed information about your personal habits, education, hobbies and interests. You might also be asked to provide pictures or videos of yourself or audio recordings of your voice.

If you test positive for any medical conditions during the screening process, you'll be notified and referred to treatment or counseling.

If you pass the screening process, you'll be asked to sign a consent form, which will likely state that you deny having any risk factors for sexually transmitted infections or genetic conditions. It's important to discuss whether you're open to contact from any child conceived with the help of your sperm.

What you can expect

Before sperm donation, you'll likely be asked again to abstain from ejaculation — either through sex or masturbation — for two to five days.

During the procedure

Sperm donation is typically done at a sperm bank. You'll provide a semen sample in a sterile cup through masturbation in a private room.

After the procedure

The sample will be frozen (cryopreserved) and kept in quarantine for at least six months. Then you'll be tested again for infectious diseases, such as HIV.

If all of your test results are negative, your frozen sample will be thawed and sperm quantity, quality and movement will be evaluated again. Sperm samples from some men are more susceptible to damage during the freezing process than are others. Damage caused by the freezing process can also differ among samples from the same donor.

If your sperm meet the quality standards, you'll be selected as a donor. Keep in mind that most sperm banks limit the number of children your sperm can be used to conceive. However, specific guidelines and limits vary.

If you test positive for any medical conditions, you'll be notified and referred to treatment and counseling.