Is Using Donor Sperm Right for You? What to Consider During NIAW
Deciding to use donor sperm is a deeply personal choice, and you might be considering whether it's the right option for you. In recognition of National Infertility Awareness Week® (NIAW), we believe it's essential to discuss the use of donor sperm, the individuals who benefit from it, and what general questions you should consider before moving forward with treatment. Learning about the donor sperm process can help you make an informed decision that aligns with your family-building goals.
Who May Need Donor Sperm?
It's a common misconception that fertility issues are primarily caused by women. In fact, about one-third of infertility cases can be attributed to conditions affecting male sperm count. A sperm donor can be helpful for male partners who have no sperm in their ejaculate or have experienced failed fertilization through intracytoplasmic sperm injection. Additionally, sperm donation can assist aspiring single parents and same-sex female couples.
Questions to Consider
Before proceeding with the sperm donor process, there are some questions to consider, such as:
- Are you ready to let go of a genetic connection? It can be understandably challenging for a male partner to navigate not having a biological connection to their child. However, the female partner can still be genetically related to them.
- What kind of donor best aligns with your values? It’s important to determine which donor characteristics are most important to you and which ones you're more flexible on. Do you and your partner both agree on who your ideal donor would be?
- How will being donor-conceived affect my future child? At some point, you’ll likely need to tell your child that they were conceived using a sperm donor. Navigating this disclosure can be challenging, but presenting this information at the right age should result in favorable outcomes.
The Donor Sperm Process
The first step to growing your family with donor sperm is to find your ideal sperm donor. Typically, donor sperm is obtained from a commercial sperm bank. It can be used for intrauterine insemination (IUI) or in vitro fertilization (IVF).
For individuals undergoing IUI, the sperm is inserted directly into the uterus around the time of ovulation to enhance fertilization of the egg. In the case of IVF, a fertility specialist retrieves eggs from either the female partner or an egg donor and combines them with donor sperm. Any resulting embryos are then transferred back to the uterus for implantation.
Learn More About Donor Sperm
Using donor sperm is an excellent option for many individuals and couples who wish to expand their families. If you're interested in learning more about the process of using donor sperm, contact The Fertility Center of California (FCC) today. Our advanced sperm donor program provides aspiring parents with free online access to portions of each sperm donor's profile, making it easier to find an ideal match.
