How To Avoid a Negative Sperm Donation Experience

Although sperm donation is predominantly a positive and effective way for many individuals and couples to have a child, there have been more than a few negative stories about it over the past few years. These stories don’t necessarily reflect the reality of what using a sperm donor is like for most people, but are often considered to be more interesting and click-worthy. While controversy certainly makes for a good headline, these stories can make it difficult for some people to feel like they can trust the sperm donation process.

The key to having a positive sperm donation experience is to work with a credible sperm bank. However, if you’re just starting out, you might not be sure what to even look for in a sperm bank. Rest assured, avoiding negative sperm donation experiences doesn’t have to be difficult, as long as you keep a few important factors in mind. Here’s what you should be on the lookout for when researching local sperm banks.

Sperm Bank Must-Haves Checklist

• Is the sperm bank properly licensed? Are all of those licenses up-to-date? You should be able to find the sperm bank’s licenses directly on their website. If they don’t have a website available, you should be able to confirm them easily through direct communication.

• Are the sperm bank’s laboratory and other facilities using advanced reproductive technology? What is the lab’s security like? What protocols do they have in place in the event of a power failure or natural disaster?

• Does the sperm bank provide a comprehensive list of reproductive services? For example, is their program only available for anonymous sperm donation or do they also work with directed sperm donors (i.e. sperm donors who are known to the intended parents)? Can they offer services like gender selection and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) if needed or desired? Do they provide cryopreservation freezing services for sperm, as well as eggs and embryos?

• Do they provide patient testimonials for review? Do those experiences reflect what your growing family is hoping to replicate?

• Are they able to address all of your questions and concerns appropriately?

Your prospective sperm bank should be able to provide all of the above details in full, whether online or directly. These are standard industry points, and entirely fair for potential patients to inquire about.

Working With the Fertility Center of California

The Fertility Center of California is a nationally recognized cryopreservation center and sperm bank that has been in operation since 1980. Since that time, we have helped many patients from around the world achieve their fertility goals through sperm donation and other reproductive services. Conveniently located in Orange County and San Diego, our mission is to provide a positive experience for all our patients and instill a sense of confidence in the journey.

Learn more about our sperm bank by viewing our sperm bank licenses, information about our laboratory and facilities, details about the leaders of our clinical staff, a full list of our services, and patient success stories.

Patients should be able to work with a sperm bank whom they can trust. Fertility care is an inherently stressful experience and patients deserve to enter into a working relationship with a sperm bank knowing, with full confidence, that their needs will be met with integrity, professionalism, and an optimal environment. Contact the Fertility Center of California to learn more about sperm donation.