When you donate sperm, do you have any say over the usage of the sperm you’ve donated?

As a registered Semovo sperm donor you do have some rights over your sperm – it’s something we’ll explain to you in detail as part of the consent process.

Because although you’ve donated sperm to be used by others to help them have a family, you do have the right to specify how many UK families your sperm can help create.

According to UK fertility regulator the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA), sperm donors in the UK are limited to creating a maximum of 10 separate families.

This doesn’t mean a maximum of 10 children – there’s no limit to the number of children that can be created within each of those 10 families. This is so people who use your sperm to have a baby can use it again in future, to give their child a biologically-related sibling.

You do have the right to specify a lower family limit if you wish, to reduce the numbers of families that can be created from your sperm.

Our sperm donors understand just why so many people need donor sperm to have a family – from single women and same-sex couples to men who can’t have their own children because of sperm disorders. They understand the difference they alone can make. And so are usually happy to create as many families as they are legally allowed to.

Donating sperm is not a decision to be taken lightly – it should only ever be made after careful, informed thought. It’s why we emphasise counselling and personal support so much – so our sperm donors are always 100% happy in their decision to donate, and all the implications it carries.

We’ll go through your rights and consent forms with you so you completely understand what signing them means.

If you’d like to donate sperm with Semovo, find out if you meet sperm donor criteria, explore the sperm donation process and read our sperm donation FAQs. If you’re ready to apply, just complete our simple online initial application form.

If you’ve got any questions, we’re happy to help – call us on 0345 266 1272. Or come and meet us. We’re at the Fertility Show in Manchester next month (25-26 March).

Book your tickets here and find out why so many men choose Semovo for sperm donation.

We’re the only UK sperm bank that offers sperm donation on your terms with regional sperm donation clinics in Manchester, Leeds, Liverpool and soon Glasgow, London and Birmingham, making it easier and more convenient than ever for men to donate sperm.