IVF using a Sperm Donor

UK fertility regulator the HFEA advises that it is always safer to have treatment with donor sperm at a licensed clinic. Using sperm from an unregulated source - such as private online sperm advertisements – for DIY home insemination carries significant risks including:

• Risks to your health and that of your baby: A private sperm donor is unlikely to have had any medical checks, disease screening or a sperm analysis.
• Potential parental rights: Your sperm donor could be the legal father of your child, giving him parental rights and all that this entails, depending on how insemination was carried out and whether you’re married or in a relationship at the time.
• Pregnancy chances: Identifying the right time for insemination yourself can be very hit-and-miss, especially if you have irregular cycles. There is also the risk of infection from trying to perform home insemination yourself.

By having donor sperm treatment at a clinic, you can be sure that your sperm donor has been health screened and that his sperm is safe for your use. Treatment at a clinic is also optimised for your best chance of pregnancy, and your sperm donor is just that – he has no legal parental rights over your child. For more information, visit https://www.hfea.gov.uk/donation/donors/home-insemination-with-donor-sperm/

If you are considering home insemination because of the cost of treatment at a clinic, take a look at our discounted IUI with donor sperm package. It gives you up to three cycles of insemination at a significant saving, compared to paying for treatment as you go along.

All our sperm donors have undergone rigorous health screening in accordance to strict HFEA regulations, which includes tests for:

• Cystic Fibrosis
• Karyotype for chromosome abnormalities
• Blood-related hereditary conditions such as Sickle Cell Anaemia and Tay Sachs
• HIV 1 and 2
• Hepatitis B and C
• HTLV I and II
• Syphilis
• Gonorrhoea
• Chlamydia
• Cytomegalovirus

Sperm donors are re-screened every six months and again before samples are released for use.

All our sperm donors are recruited through our own nationwide sperm donor programme, Semovo. Semovo has sperm banks across the country in Manchester, Liverpool, Leeds, Glasgow and London, giving you the most extensive choice of sperm donors for your treatment, from right across the UK.

Some women may need multiple cycles of donor sperm insemination to conceive. If donor sperm IUI is unsuccessful for you after a number of cycles, your treatment will be reviewed by your consultant with further investigations performed if necessary. You may be advised to move onto IVF/ICSI with donor sperm.

If you have a friend who is willing to donate his sperm to help you conceive, it’s called ‘known donation’ and it’s typically a longer process than using a sperm donor from our Semovo sperm bank.

Your sperm donor will be required to have health screening, a semen analysis and counselling too. Even though you know your sperm donor, it’s still important that his donation and your treatment happens through a licensed clinic.

The law is complex in this instance so it’s essential that everyone involved understands the legalities and implications. We advise that you and your potential donor come in and talk to us in the first instance – book a free 1-2-1 or call us on 0161 300 2730.

Although sperm donors and recipient patients are anonymous to each other, you will be given lots of detailed information about your donor.

Because we get to know our donors well, we can give you some personal insight as well as the information in your sperm donor’s profile, which includes:

• Physical details: Such as height, weight, hair, eye colour, ethnicity
• Hobbies & career: What your donor likes to do and the job he has
• Pen picture: A personal ‘about me’ written by the donor. This is where your donor will go into detail about his outlook on life, personality, family background, current family life, the type of person he is and why he decided to donate sperm.
• Goodwill message: Your sperm donor also writes a goodwill message to the child you may have, which you can show them someday.

If your treatment is successful you can also find out if your donor has helped anyone else to have a family and if your child has any donor siblings, via the HFEA.

Yes. If your treatment is successful, you can opt for family-slot reservation, subject to sperm availability. Sperm from your donor will be reserved for you to use in future, so that your children are related.