Creating an embryo for your surrogacy journey is an exciting step, and finding a sperm donor who is a great fit can be an important part of your journey.
Sperm banks typically have sperm donor requirements and screening processes to protect the best interests of intended parents by ensuring they are working with high-quality donors.
Read on to learn the requirements for sperm donors and what to look for in a sperm donor. If you haven’t yet created your embryos, you can contact us today to figure out how you can prepare for the next step in your surrogacy journey while looking for a sperm donor.
What are Sperm Donor Requirements?
Sperm donor requirements are set to ensure the health and suitability of the donors and the quality of the donated sperm. These requirements are determined by a combination of legal, medical and ethical guidelines. Sperm donor requirements may vary depending on the specific sperm bank you choose, so it’s important that you do your research ahead of time to ensure that you are satisfied with the screening required of any donor you select through that bank.
Common Sperm Bank Requirements
Sperm banks typically screen for a variety of factors like:
- Physical health
- Mental health
- Height (5’6” or 5’ are common minimums)
- Education—some require college students or college education
- Age (18-40 is a typical range)
Sperm Donation Screening Process
The screening process at sperm banks will often include:
- A health questionnaire
- Physical exam
- Background check
- Psychological evaluation
- Sperm quality evaluation
- Genetic testing (recommended by the ASRM)
- Infectious disease testing
Infectious Disease Testing
Infectious disease testing is required before donation and is regulated by the FDA. It tests for HIV I/II, RPR, Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, CMV, Hepatitis B and C, WNV, NAT and more.
What to Look For in a Sperm Donor
Every family needs something a little bit different. Of course, you should double check that the basic checks are being done (either through your sperm bank or with your fertility center if you are using a direct donation). But beyond that, you can look for whatever you want in a sperm donor.
Families with a predisposition for certain genetic health conditions may seek out a sperm donor because sperm banks typically only work with donors that are not carriers for genetic conditions. Often families will also seek out donors that share their looks and match their own personalities or interests. But the choice is up to you.
Do Sperm Donor Requirements Affect Surrogacy?
If you’re at the point where you are searching for a sperm donor, you may have been trying to become a parent for some time.
By working with a sperm bank that thoroughly vets their sperm donors, you can have peace of mind knowing that your donor has been determined to be eligible to contribute to helping another individual or couple have a child through IUI, IVF or surrogacy.
Sperm quality affects embryo quality, and the higher quality your embryos are, the more likely it is that the embryo transfer will result in your surrogate becoming pregnant with your child.
If you’re an individual or couple affected by male infertility, you can speak with our specialists about growing your family through surrogacy.
Long-Term Considerations for Sperm Donation Recipients
Donors can be listed anonymously, or may be open to contact with the child who is born through their donation. While this may not be a factor that is immediately important, it can have an impact on your child later in life as they begin to ask questions about their identity.
As you consider sperm donors and think about what donor to choose for your child, it is important to note that with the proliferation of DNA tests, even if you choose an anonymous donor, your child may be able to find their donor. It is recommended that you share your child’s birth story in an age-appropriate way to normalize your child’s conception and to keep an open dialogue about the subject with your child as he or she grows up.
Finding a sperm donor and creating an embryo means that you can be matched with a surrogate. Get help starting the process when you contact our specialists.
How Can I Find a Sperm Donor Near Me?
You may be able to find a local sperm bank, but if you are living in a less populated area, there may not be a local sperm bank. The good news is, sperm banks can be shipped from national banks and delivered to fertility clinics around the country. As you seek out a sperm bank, here are some questions you can ask:
- What screening is completed on donor sperm?
- What contact agreements are in place with sperm donors at the bank?
- How many donations are sperm donors allowed to make?
- How is shipping handled for sperm vials?
FAQ
What disqualifies a sperm donor?
Potential sperm donors can be disqualified for a variety of reasons including:
- Age
- Height
- Health history
- Sperm quality
- Criminal background
- And more
Sperm donor screening means that many men who are willing to be sperm donors may ultimately be unable to become donors.
What qualifies a man to donate sperm?
Men who want to donate sperm often undergo rigorous screening that involves requirements like:
- Age
- Height
- Health history
- Genetic screening
- Communicable disease screening
- Criminal background check
- Personal and lifestyle factors
- Sperm quality screening
There is no one qualifying factor, but instead many criteria that must be met to become a sperm donor
Do you have to be 6’0” to donate sperm?
No, you don’t have to be 6’0” to donate sperm, but some sperm banks will have height requirements to donate sperm.
How much money do you get from donating sperm?
You can make $70-$200 when you donate sperm for a single time. If you donate more, you may be able to earn more.