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How to find a Sperm Donor: 4 things to consider
Starting your journey to parenthood with donor sperm is exciting, but let’s be honest, it can also feel completely overwhelming. Where do you begin? What should you look for in a donor? And how can you be sure the sperm is safe, healthy, and meets your personal preferences?
At London Sperm Bank, we understand that every family-building journey is unique. That’s why we take care of the rigorous donor screening process, quality checks, and legal requirements so you can focus on choosing the donor that feels right for you.
This guide offers practical, reassuring advice on how to find a sperm donor; one that not only meets your preferences and gut instincts, but also offers peace of mind in terms of health, safety, and treatment compatibility.
How to choose a sperm bank
Before you can choose a sperm donor, you’ll need to find a licensed sperm bank. Working with a licensed sperm bank ensures that all sperm is properly screened, stored, and released in accordance with Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) regulations and avoids the risks of unregulated sperm donation. This is important for your health and your future child’s well-being.
Important things to know about choosing a sperm bank:
- UK fertility clinics are only permitted to use sperm from HFEA-licensed sperm banks
- Some clinics have their own in-house sperm banks or work exclusively with selected providers.
- It’s also possible to import donor sperm from overseas sperm banks, though this often involves extra logistics and costs (such as shipping in specialised cryo-containers).
When selecting a sperm bank to purchase donor sperm from, key questions to ask include:
- Is it HFEA licensed and fully compliant with their code of practice?
- Are they well-established with positive patient reviews?
- Are donor profiles comprehensive and transparent?
- Can you filter and search based on physical and personal characteristics?
- Is the sperm screened for infectious and genetic diseases?
- What’s the availability and cost of donor sperm?
- What support services are offered?
Do you get to choose a sperm donor?
Yes, you’re always in control of choosing your sperm donor. This is a deeply personal decision, and no one else, not even your clinic or donor coordinator, has any say in which donor you choose.
You’ll be able to browse donor profiles, compare key traits, and decide what’s most important to you; whether that’s appearance, personality, background, or motivation for donating.
If you need help narrowing things down, most banks, including the London Sperm Bank, offer guidance and support.
How to choose a sperm donor
Once you’ve selected a licensed sperm bank, you’ll be given access to a donor catalogue or database, which includes detailed profiles of every available donor. These profiles allow you to compare and reflect on different aspects, from appearance and education to medical history and personal values.
While there’s no one correct way to reach a decision when choosing a sperm donor, many people find these four key factors helpful:
1. Consider physical characteristics
The first step to finding a sperm donor can often seem the most daunting, as not many people know where to start. Because of this, we recommend patients consider what characteristics they find desirable in a donor and what they do not want their donor to have.
For many people, physical appearance is one of the first things they consider when choosing a donor. You may want your donor-conceived child to resemble you or your partner, or you might be drawn to specific traits.
Fortunately, the London Sperm Bank donor database allows you to find a sperm donor by filtering your search based on characteristics such as:
- Hair colour
- Eye colour
- Ethnicity
- Height
- Blood type
Keep in mind, there are no guarantees that choosing a sperm donor that resembles yourself or your partner will result in your child also having the same features; there is, however, a greater chance.
2. Donor personality and staff impressions
Beyond looks, many people want to connect with the person behind the profile. London Sperm Bank donor profiles are extremely comprehensive and include all non-identifiable physical characteristics, medical history, and staff impressions. These small biographies are written by our Sperm Bank staff and describe in detail the personality of the donor, and are included as a way to compensate for the UK law that dictates that pictures of the sperm donor must not be shared. At London Sperm Bank, we want to make your journey to find a sperm donor as easy as possible, and therefore, our staff impressions are always as personal and detailed as possible.
Profiles typically include:
- Education and career background
- Hobbies and interests
- Skills
- Personal values or beliefs
- A goodwill message from the donor
- Motivations for donating
- Staff-written personality descriptions
As well as this, many patients are motivated to find a sperm donor with whom their child can be proud of or take an interest in. Considering UK law regarding sperm donor anonymity means that a donor-conceived child can request information about their donor once they reach the age of 18, some parents will consider using donor sperm from someone with an interesting background, a fun fact, or any other unique details that can help make their donor special to their child.
3. Motility and health
As well as considering what your sperm donor looks like and their personality type, some technical aspects, such as donor sample types, must also be considered when it comes to using donor sperm. Primarily, the type of donor you choose will also be motivated by the type of treatment you are receiving. For patients who are undergoing IUI or IVF treatment, it is recommended that you find a sperm donor with a higher MOT count, as the success of the treatment is partially dependent on the sperm’s ability to swim to the egg. For patients undergoing ICSI, on the other hand, the MOT count may not be as important, as the treatment is not dependent on the sperm’s ability to swim.
London Sperm Bank donors always have their stock availability for different MOT counts listed on their profiles. It’s important to find a sperm donor who suits your treatment requirements and will be accepted by your fertility clinic.
4. Speak with a member of our team
Finally, one of the best pieces of advice we can give to someone who is trying to find a sperm donor is to speak to a member of our London Sperm Bank Customer Service Team. For patients who may find it challenging to find a sperm donor they like or do not know where to start, our friendly and experienced team is on hand to help. Our London Sperm Bank team works hard to ensure that you find a sperm donor that is perfect for you. We understand how important the decision to choose a donor is, and we want to reassure anyone looking to find a sperm donor that you will be advised and supported every step of the way.
How to choose a sperm donor FAQs
We know that finding a sperm donor comes with a lot of questions. Below are answers to some of the most common queries from people starting this journey:
Can I use a known donor?
Yes, but if you’re in the UK and plan to conceive through a licensed clinic, the known donor will need to undergo the same screening, testing, and legal process as an anonymous donor. Speak to your clinic about the requirements and implications of using a known donor.
What if I can’t find a sperm donor profile I like?
You’re not alone; this can be an emotional process, and it can be difficult to reach a decision on a donor. If you’re struggling to find the right donor, our team is happy to help. We can guide you through the search, suggest alternatives, or let you know when new donors become available that match your preferences.
Can I see photos of my donor?
In the UK, donor anonymity laws prohibit sharing identifying photos of sperm donors. However, you’ll receive rich donor profiles with physical descriptions, personality write-ups, and background information to help you connect with the donor in a meaningful way.
Can I reserve sperm from the same donor for a future sibling?
Yes, many families choose to reserve additional samples from the same donor to use in the future. This can help ensure that siblings share the same genetic donor, which is important to some patients.
London Sperm Bank is the UK’s leading sperm bank and has been a trusted provider for so many people looking to become parents. To begin your journey, learn more about how to find a donor.