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The process of using donor sperm during IVF

Starting IVF with donor sperm is an exciting yet emotional decision. Whether you’re a single woman, a same-sex couple, or navigating male infertility, choosing to use donor sperm is a deeply personal step toward building your family.

This guide explains the sperm donor IVF process, who it’s suitable for, what it costs, and how it differs from standard IVF so that you can feel informed and supported as you explore your treatment options.

What is donor IVF?

Donor IVF is a form of assisted reproductive technology that uses sperm or eggs from a donor. For IVF with donor sperm, it means that the sperm comes from a carefully screened donor rather than from a male partner.

It’s a safe, regulated, and widely used fertility treatment in the UK that gives individuals and couples the chance to conceive when using a partner’s sperm isn’t possible or desired.

The IVF sperm donor process combines two key elements:

• Donor sperm provided by a licensed sperm bank
• In vitro fertilisation (IVF), where eggs are collected, fertilised in a lab, and transferred to the womb

While the IVF steps are largely the same as conventional treatment, using donor sperm involves a few extra considerations, particularly around choosing and securing your donor sample before your cycle begins.

Do you need a sperm donor for IVF?

No, not everyone requires donor sperm for IVF treatment. Whether it is recommended or required depends on your specific situation.

Donor sperm is needed for IVF if there is no male partner involved. It may also be used where there are issues with the male partner’s sperm that make egg fertilisation highly unlikely, or the sperm carries a risk for potential offspring.

Who is IVF with donor sperm suitable for?

Every person’s path to parenthood is unique, but circumstances in which using donor sperm for IVF may be suitable include:

Male factor infertility

Heterosexual couples may need donor sperm if tests reveal very low sperm count, poor motility, or no sperm (azoospermia). In such cases, IVF with donor sperm can offer a much higher chance of success than using a partner’s sperm.

Genetic conditions

If a man carries a hereditary condition that could be passed on to future children, such as cystic fibrosis or sickle cell disease, donor sperm can eliminate this risk.

Same-sex female couples

For lesbian couples, donor sperm provides the sperm needed for conception. Some choose intrauterine insemination (IUI), while others opt for donor sperm IVF, which can offer higher success rates per cycle.

Single women

More women than ever are choosing to become solo parents by choice. IVF with donor sperm offers a secure and regulated route to parenthood for those ready to take this step independently.

How are sperm donors recruited and screened?

Using a regulated sperm bank is essential for safety, legality, and peace of mind. In the UK, all licensed sperm banks adhere to strict guidelines established by the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA).

Each donor who applies to London Sperm Bank undergoes thorough screening before being approved, including:

• Semen analysis to check sperm count, motility and morphology
• A test freeze to check that the sperm can withstand the freezing and thawing process
• Full medical and family history review
• Infectious disease testing (HIV, HTLV, Hepatitis A, B and C, Syphilis, CMV, Chlamydia, Gonorrhoea,)
• Genetic carrier screening for certain inherited conditions
• Counselling to ensure donors understand the long-term implications of donation

Donations are frozen and quarantined for several months before being cleared for final release. In the UK, donors cannot be paid; they are reimbursed for expenses only. This ensures that all donations are made ethically and altruistically.

Choosing a donor

Selecting your donor can be one of the most meaningful parts of the process. At London Sperm Bank, we provide detailed donor profiles within our donor catalogue so you can choose someone who feels right for you. You can filter your search based on:

• Ethnicity
• Hair and eye colour
• Height
• Education level
• Blood group
• Previous treatment success
• Religion
• Treatment type

Some patients prefer to focus on physical resemblance, while others prioritise shared traits or values. There’s no right or wrong approach; what matters is finding a donor who feels like the right fit for your journey.

It’s normal to experience mixed emotions when choosing a donor. Many clinics recommend counselling at this stage to help explore your thoughts and feelings before proceeding.

How do you order donor sperm for IVF?

Before you can order sperm from a sperm bank, you need to find a fertility clinic and register as a patient. This is to ensure that the donor sperm is suitable for your treatment. London Sperm Bank works in partnership with both London Women’s Clinic and Kind iVF.

Our sperm donor order process is straightforward. Once you create an account with us, it will be instantly activated, and you can place an order. You select your chosen donor and order the number of sperm vials you need for treatment. You may choose to order more than is needed for your current treatment if you are considering future treatment or siblings.

You need to order at least three weeks before the first day of your treatment cycle to avoid delays or late ordering fees. London Sperm Bank handles the entire process, communicating directly with your clinic to verify donor suitability and organise delivery.

You’ll be able to track your order through your account, and if you ever have any questions, you can reach out to our customer service team.

The IVF sperm donor process

If you’re wondering how IVF vs sperm donor IVF compare, the medical process itself is very similar for both pathways. The main difference lies in securing and preparing your donor sperm before your cycle starts.

Here’s a step-by-step look at the donor IVF process:

Step 1: Consultation, planning and screening

You will have a consultation with a fertility specialist as well as an initial fertility assessment to create a personalised treatment plan. Blood tests will also be required to check for various infectious and genetic conditions before treatment can begin.

Step 2: Implications counselling

When using donor sperm for IVF, implications counselling is a mandatory step before treatment at most clinics. It provides a safe space to discuss the potential impact of using donor sperm on your relationships, future family and personal well-being. It also provides you with the awareness and tools to move forward with treatment and raising a donor-conceived child.

Step 3: Donor sperm selection

You select your sperm donor. If this is a known donor, they will also need a fertility assessment and screenings to check that their sperm is suitable and safe. If using a donor from a sperm bank, you will need to place an order so that the sperm can be delivered to your clinic in time for your treatment cycle.

Step 4: Ovarian stimulation

You’ll take fertility medication to stimulate your ovaries to produce multiple eggs. This is carefully monitored with ultrasound scans and blood tests to track your response. When your eggs are ready, you’ll have a trigger injection to encourage final maturation and prepare them for collection.

Step 5: Egg collection

A short procedure under sedation retrieves your eggs using a fine needle. You’ll rest for a few hours afterwards before going home. Mild bloating or cramping for a day or two is common.

Step 6: Donor sperm preparation

If using a known donor, they produce a sample in the clinic that is then prepared. If using donor sperm from a sperm bank, your chosen donor’s sample is thawed and prepared in the laboratory. Embryologists check its motility and quality before combining it with your eggs.

Step 7: Fertilisation

The eggs and sperm are placed together to allow fertilisation. In some cases, ICSI (intracytoplasmic sperm injection) is used, where a single sperm is injected directly into each egg to improve fertilisation rates.

Step 8: Embryo culture and transfer

The resulting embryos are monitored as they develop over three to five days. The best-quality embryo (or occasionally two) is then transferred into your womb using a fine catheter. This is a quick, usually painless procedure that doesn’t require sedation.

Any remaining good-quality embryos can be frozen for future use.

How much is IVF with a sperm donor?

The cost of sperm donor and IVF varies depending on your chosen clinic, donor source, and treatment type.

• IVF treatment cost: Standard IVF cycles typically range from £4,000 to £6,000 in the UK, not including medications or donor sperm.
• Donor sperm cost: At London Sperm Bank, our donor samples cost £1550 per single vial, £4185 for three vials and £7440 for six vials.

This means the average cost of IVF with donor sperm is around £5,000–£7,000 per cycle, depending on your clinic and individual treatment plan.

Through our partnership with Kind iVF and their Kind donor IVF package, eligible patients can benefit from an all-inclusive sperm donor IVF package that, for a cost of £4,500, includes all scans and monitoring, egg collection and embryo transfer, stimulation medication and a vial of donor sperm.

IVF with donor sperm on the NHS

In some cases, IVF with donor sperm may be available on the NHS. Eligibility varies by local Integrated Care Board (ICB), but factors such as your age, previous fertility history, and whether you already have children are considered.

Single women and same-sex couples may face specific criteria or limits on funded cycles, so it’s worth checking what’s offered in your area. The Department of Health and Social Care’s IVF Guidance is useful for overview information and links to individual ICB commissioning policies in England if you want to understand what you may be entitled to.

Donor IVF success rates

Donor IVF success rates depend on several factors, including age, ovarian reserve, and general health. Because donor sperm is pre-screened for quality and motility, fertilisation rates are often very good.

The success rates shown below are for different fertility treatments using donor sperm from London Sperm Bank:

	IVF/ICSI live birth rate	IUI live birth rate	Frozen embryo live birth rate
Under 35 years old	45%	20%	43%
35-37 years old	33%	14%	40%
38-39 years old	24%	13%	38%

Whether you’re just exploring IVF with donor sperm in the UK, considering NHS options, or are ready to begin treatment privately, the process starts with a consultation.

From helping you choose the right sperm donor to coordinating every stage of your sperm donor IVF process, London Sperm Bank works closely with your fertility clinic to make the experience seamless and safe.

If you’re ready to take the next steps toward parenthood, you can browse our catalogue and find a donor.