June is LGBT+ Pride Month, an international time of celebration for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer individuals all around the world.
As we have many wonderful sperm donors who are part of the LGBT+ community, we’re celebrating their commitment to helping others by exploring how sperm donation can impact the lives of LGBT+ people.
What treatments might LGBT+ people use donor sperm for?
Many LGBTQ+ people need donor sperm for fertility treatments, such as same-sex female couples, those who have undergone Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) or gender affirmation surgery, and single people. Our donors provide hope for many people, allowing them to achieve their dream of growing their families. The sperm they donate can be used in a range of treatments, but the most common are:
Donor Insemination or IUI (Intrauterine Insemination):
IUI is a type of fertility treatment that encourages pregnancy by placing donor sperm into the uterus around the time of ovulation. IUI is quick and cost-effective in comparison to other fertility treatments, with a typical cycle lasting just four weeks, it’s a popular choice with same-sex female couples in need of donor sperm and has similar success rates to natural conception.
IVF or In-vitro Fertilisation using Donor Sperm:
IVF treatment is a technique where fertilisation takes place outside the body. Donor sperm is mixed with an egg in a laboratory, where it is incubated to create embryos, then a specialist selects the best embryo for transfer into the patient's uterus.
Members of the LGBT+ community may consider IVF with donor sperm if they are unable to use their own sperm for conception. This may be due to medical transition processes, such as hormone therapy or surgical interventions, which can impact their reproductive capabilities.
Reciprocal IVF:
Reciprocal IVF is a fertility treatment where one partner's eggs are used to create embryos that are then carried by the other partner. This process allows both partners to participate biologically in the pregnancy. One partner’s eggs will be fertilised with donor sperm to make embryos and the other partner will undergo the embryo transfer and will carry the pregnancy. This method is often chosen by couples who wish to share the physical and genetic aspects of parenthood.
Every patient's fertility journey is unique, so choosing to donate sperm can unlock many treatment pathways for LGBT+ patients.
Why LGBT+ people choose to donate their sperm
We understand the struggles people in the LGBT+ community can face when it comes to starting or completing their families. It's a common reason many of our donors want to become sperm donors.
Whatever the reason for donating, at Semovo, we welcome sperm donors from all backgrounds, regardless of their sexual orientation or personal pronouns – in line with guidance from HFEA, the Human Fertilisation & Embryology Authority. Those who are part of the LGBT+ community are always welcome to donate sperm at our clinic.
Many individuals from the LGBT+ community have donated to us in the past, and some have shared their donation journeys to inspire others, you can read their stories on our Donor Stories page.
Of course, the reliance on donor sperm to achieve parenthood extends far beyond the LGBT+ community. Your sperm could also be used to help heterosexual couples facing infertility, single women, and couples with genetic concerns, supporting a diverse range of families in their journey to parenthood.
Can transgender or non-binary people donate their sperm?
People who are transgender may be eligible to donate their sperm, as long as they are in good health and haven’t yet started HRT or undergone gender affirmation surgery, as this will significantly affect their sperm production. Regardless of their background, all we ask from our donors is their dedication to the donation process and that they meet a few simple criteria.
It is worth noting that donor-conceived people may request identifying information about their donors once they reach the age of 18, including their name and previous names, which may inadvertently reveal that their donor has gender transitioned. We would always ensure that donors who have transitioned are comfortable with this before donating.
What criteria must an LGBTQ+ sperm donor meet?
We want to assure all potential sperm donors that who they love, or their gender identity, will never impact their ability to donate. Our LGBT+ donors must meet the same criteria as every other donor.
Sperm Donor Criteria:
- Be between the ages of 18 and 45
- Be willing to be screened for medical conditions
- Have no known serious inherited medical conditions
- Know (or can find out) your immediate family medical history - children, siblings, parents and grandparents
- Agree to be registered with the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority as a donor
- Only donate to a Semovo clinic
- Not put yourself at risk of sexually transmitted infections (STIs)
- Not knowingly omit any relevant information which could affect the health of any children born as a result of your donation
- Be able to commit to donating several times each month for at least six months
This year, if you're a member of the LGBT+ community and you've been considering donating, there's no better time than Pride Month! Donating your sperm could provide an invaluable gift to someone ready to start their family.
If you've been considering becoming a donor, we encourage you to apply online today or contact our friendly team at donate@semovo.co.uk for more advice on the sperm donation process.