​SHOULD I DONATE MY SPERM ONLINE? HERE’S WHY IT’S A BAD IDEA

How do you think it’s best to donate sperm – through a licensed sperm bank where you’ll be health screened, counselled and legally protected as a donor? Or through the internet, where you offer your sperm to women for DIY fertility treatment?

Online sperm donation isn’t illegal, but as it’s unregulated, it carries significant risks to you as the donor.

Here are five key reasons why it’s always advised to donate through a licensed sperm bank like Semovo if you want to be a sperm donor:

1. Legal protection

You’re not financially or legally responsible for any children born. You’re not required to pay child support, or have any parental rights. If you donate online however it’s much more complicated. You may actually be considered the legal father, depending on things like the relationship status of the person you’re donating to, and method of donation.

2. Counselling

Are you absolutely sure that sperm donation is right for you? Counselling is designed to make sure that it is. We’ll talk you through all its implications, not just now but in the future, and your rights and responsibilities. So you can be 100% confident that you’re doing the right thing for others and for you. You don’t get any of this support as an online sperm donor.

3. Anonymity

You’re anonymous to the person using your sperm, unlike online sperm donation which requires personal contact and arrangements between you and the recipient, which can go wrong. If you donate to a sperm bank, the only information that’s given out is your personal profile, which you write yourself. It’s only donor-conceived children who can find out who you are, by applying to the UK fertility regulator, the HFEA, for your details when they turn 18.

4. Fertility and health reassurance

We’ll check your sperm to make sure you’re fertile, giving you the reassurance that your sperm has a good chance of helping someone achieve pregnancy. Semen analysis is part of the application process. We’ll also check your health, performing screening tests which look for common infectious diseases and conditions. So you know your sperm is safe for people to use.

5. Children limits

If you donate to a sperm bank, you still get to know if you’ve helped someone have a baby. You’re entitled to find out if your recipient’s treatment was successful, the gender of the baby and the year of its birth. You’re limited to creating 10 separate families only.

Sperm bank, sperm donor safety

Read the HFEA’s advice to find out more about safe sperm donation through a sperm bank or licensed clinic.

If you’d like to donate to us, find your nearest Semovo sperm bank in Liverpool, Manchester, Glasgow or Leeds and learn more about the sperm donation process, criteria and FAQs. You need to be aged 18-45 to donate to us.

If you’ve got any questions, our friendly team is happy to help. Just call 0345 266 1272.