​USING DONATED SPERM: INSEMINATION MYTHS AND FACTS

When you donate sperm, one of the most common ways it’ll be used is through a treatment called insemination.

Insemination is a clinical and precise process – far removed from the ‘turkey baster’ imagery that usually springs to mind.

There are many misconceptions about donor sperm insemination – so let’s look at the facts, so you can see exactly what’s going to happen with your sperm if it’s used in this type of treatment:

Insemination always works –doesn’t it?

Whenever having a baby through insemination is featured in a movie or on TV it always seems to happily work first time. But just because you’re putting sperm where it needs to be, it doesn’t mean that two weeks later there will be a positive pregnancy test.

The fact is that it can take a few cycles of insemination to achieve pregnancy. It’s why we need lots of your sperm, so your recipient can try for a baby until she’s successful.

Insemination is a lot like natural conception, which means lots of factors affect whether the egg is fertilised and pregnancy occurs after treatment. Things like the quality of the egg that cycle and even the woman’s age and lifestyle can all make a difference.

Insemination is a really quick and easy procedure?

Insemination is a quick process compared to IVF but it still involves a high level of skill and expertise. Clinics have to pinpoint when a woman is ovulating so your sperm is ready to fertilise her egg, which means tracking her cycle through tests and scans.

Your sperm isn’t just used straight from the vial either. Your sperm has been frozen, so it has to be thawed, analysed and carefully ‘washed’ in the clinic lab first – a process which gives your sperm all the nutrients it needs to be healthy and viable in treatment.

Insemination happens in a clinical, sterile environment too, usually performed by a trained fertility specialist. The specialist makes sure the sperm is inserted in exactly the right place, maximising pregnancy chances.

We don’t supply your donor sperm for ‘at home’ DIY insemination treatment. It’s only sent direct from Semovo to HFEA-licensed clinics for patient use.

What if insemination doesn’t work using my donated sperm?

Treatment is typically re-evaluated if pregnancy doesn’t happen after three attempts. The woman may be sent for further tests and investigations. It doesn’t mean there’s anything wrong with your donated sperm – remember your sperm has already been extensively checked and is confirmed to be good quality.

Other types of treatment using donated sperm

IVF using your donor sperm is usually the next step if IUI is unsuccessful. IVF happens in the clinic laboratory.

Your donor sperm fertilises the woman’s retrieved eggs, with the resulting embryos transferred back into her uterus to implant for pregnancy. Some clinics may also use ICSI – a refinement of IVF where a single sperm is injected directly into the egg for fertilisation.

Donate sperm and help people have a family

At Semovo we make sperm donation easy and simple for you. With an award-winning history of exceptional donor care, we’re the only UK sperm bank with multiple sperm donation clinics for your convenience. You can donate sperm in Manchester, Liverpool and Leeds currently.

Why not see if you meet our sperm donor criteria? You can also learn about the sperm donation process and read our FAQs, including details of £45 compensation per clinic visit.

If you have any questions, we’re happy to chat on 0345 266 1272. If you’d like to be a sperm donor, it’s quick and easy - just apply online.