Male factor infertility occurs in 1 in 11 men in the US. If you’re trying to conceive without success, there could be issues with your partner’s sperm. In some cases, doctors can reverse sperm issues through treatment such as surgery or medication. But other cases aren’t reversible, and in half of the cases of male factor infertility, there is no identifiable cause. Without a diagnosis, there is very little your doctor can do. It may be time to investigate sperm donation.
Many couples use donor sperm to help them get pregnant. There are a few different reasons to use a sperm donor to grow your family. Besides male factor infertility, your male partner may carry a genetic condition that you don’t want to risk passing on to your child. Another common reason to use donated sperm is in the case of a same-sex female couple, and finally, if you are a single woman and feel the time is right for a baby, donor sperm gives you that option.
While sperm donation is a common practice and, for many, the only way to realize their dream of having a child, you may not know much about it. Here we explain sperm donation, how the process works, and who benefits from the use of donor sperm.
What Is the Process for Sperm Donation?
When a man donates their sperm, the process is fairly simple. First, they provide a semen sample by evacuating into a sterile container provided by the clinic, which the doctor sends to a lab for thorough health and genetic screening. In addition to testing the donor’s semen, the donor himself must undergo a health screening, which tests for STIs like HIV and Hepatitis, confirms the overall health of the donor, and includes a psychological evaluation.
Once the lab confirms the donor and their sperm are healthy and viable, they provide their sperm to the clinic to help couples or individuals conceive through assisted reproductive procedures like IUI or IVF. The donor can be anonymous or someone you know, depending on the best arrangement for you. Some parents like to retain a biological connection and ask a brother or cousin to donate their sperm. (Obviously not a blood relative of the mother.)
Who Benefits from Sperm Donation?
As we mentioned earlier, sperm donation helps a wide variety of couples and individuals realize their dream of growing their family. When the intended parent is unable, for whatever reason, to contribute sperm, donor sperm ensures that healthy and viable sperm are available for IVF or IUI. Some of those who benefit from sperm donation:
- Couples with male-factor infertility due to low sperm count, poor sperm motility (movement), or a condition in which the male partner cannot produce sperm.
- Same-sex female couples need donor sperm for conception.
- Transgender individuals also require donor sperm.
- Those who’ve undergone treatment for cancer or surgery that affects sperm production.
- Couples or individuals who have a known genetic condition, or are carriers of a genetic condition that they don’t want passed on to future children.
- Single women who want to grow their families.
Using Donor Sperm for Conception
Two specific procedures make use of donor sperm, IUI, and IVF. You and your doctor will choose the right option for you. The overall success rates depend on various factors, including maternal age, reproductive health, and overall health.
IUI with Donor Sperm: The success rates for intrauterine insemination (IUI) are good, especially for younger women. The rates are best for those women with no fertility issues.
IVF with Donor Sperm: The odds for success using donor sperm are much higher for in-vitro fertilization (IVF). If the mother also has fertility issues or is of advanced maternal age, IVF using donor sperm and donor eggs offers the best chance for conception.
Whatever your path to parenthood, using donor sperm is a safe choice and a very important step toward growing the family you’ve always wanted.
Find Out More About Sperm Donation
Wondering if sperm donation is right for you? Please reach out to LA IVF to find out more about the process and how you can benefit.
