The Emotional Journey of Using Donor Sperm

Using donor sperm can be an exciting option for many couples and individuals. However, it can also be a complex and emotional process, especially for cisgender men. Here’s what you need to know about using donor sperm and how to navigate the emotional journey that comes with growing your family this way.

Why You Might Use Donor Sperm

People use donor sperm for various reasons. In some couples, the male partner may be sterile, have a low sperm count, or experience low sperm motility, making it challenging to conceive naturally or provide a sperm sample for intrauterine insemination (IUI) or in vitro fertilization (IVF). Additionally, single women and lesbian, bisexual, and transgender couples may use donor sperm to help them achieve their family-building dreams.

Navigating the Emotions of Using Donor Sperm

Unfortunately, there is often a stigma surrounding male infertility. For cisgender men using donor sperm, there may also be grief associated with not being able to have a child that is biologically theirs. If you’re dealing with these emotions, you can effectively navigate them by:

Acknowledging How You Feel

Sadness, anxiety, frustration, and other negative emotions are normal and understandable responses to experiencing infertility. Historically, cisgender men are often encouraged to suppress their feelings, which can lead to isolation and shame. Acknowledging your feelings and speaking up is the first step to navigating the donor sperm process.

Seeking Support

It is a common myth that infertility issues are mostly attributed to problems with the female partner. In reality, one-third of infertility cases are caused by male reproductive issues, one-third by female reproductive issues, and one-third by a combination of male and female reproductive issues, or by unknown factors.

Due to the common association of infertility with women and the majority of therapeutic resources being directed towards them, it can be difficult for cisgender men to express their emotions and receive the support they need. If you need help, speak with your partner if you have one, and seek out support groups to connect with other men going through similar experiences. This can help you feel part of a community and less alone.

Embracing the Process

Using donor sperm to grow your family brings you one step closer to realizing your dream of having a child. Sure, you’ll likely face some emotional roadblocks and other obstacles, but the end result is becoming a father — which makes the sperm donor journey well worth it.

Find the Ideal Sperm Donor for Your Family

Having a knowledgeable and compassionate fertility care team on your side can make navigating the emotional journey of using donor sperm easier. Enter Sperm Bank, Inc. As a nationally acclaimed cryobank and infertility clinic providing fertility services since 1980, you can trust that our team has the experience and knowledge to help you find the ideal sperm donor to grow your family. For more information, contact Sperm Bank, Inc. today.