11 May 2015

Ten facts about sperm donors in the UK

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Written by

Complete Fertility

Donating sperm is a generous and positive act that gives others, who may not be able to start a family without it, the chance of having a child of their own.

It may be that the male partner is infertile or that there is no male partner.

If you’re considering donating sperm read our 10 facts about sperm donors:

1. Age limits

Sperm donors should be aged between 18 and 41 years.

2. Screening tests

Before donating sperm, donors are required to undergo certain screening tests in order to reduce the risks of passing on health issues.

3. Payment

Sperm donors can receive compensation of £35 per clinic visit. This payment covers any financial losses incurred in connection with the donation such as travel.

4. Legal responsibilities

Sperm donors are not legally responsible for any child born as a result of their donation. The recipient is the legal parent and as such the recipient is responsible for any child born following the donation.

5. Identification

Sperm donation in the UK is tightly regulated by the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA). As such, all donors and recipients must remain anonymous to each other.

However, as the law now stands, donor-conceived children can apply to the HFEA when they turn 18 years for information about their donor including full name, last known address and date of birth. Donor-conceived people may be curious to know who their donor is, in terms of physical and emotional characteristics, and they may want to get in touch.

6. Pen portraits

Sperm donors are encouraged to provide a detailed non-identifying profile of themselves including what they look like, education, hobbies, interests, achievements, views, values, experiences and a goodwill message.

This information can be useful to those choosing a donor and also to the donor-conceived child and their parents who may wish to talk about their origins.

7. Sperm not used for 6 months

Donated sperm will be frozen and held in quarantine for 6 months following the final donation. After 6 months the sperm donor is invited back for a final appointment and will be tested to ensure that no infectious diseases have been contracted whilst donating. If all is clear the sperm will then be ready for use.

8. Sperm donor consent

It is a legal requirement for sperm donors to give written consent before donating sperm. Consent can be withdrawn at any time up to the point at which the sperm are used in treatment.

9. Counselling is mandatory

Sperm donors must undergo counselling to talk through the long-term implications of donating sperm and their rights as a sperm donor.

10. Create up to 10 families

All sperm donors can create up to 10 individual families. Donated sperm for siblings does not count towards this number.

Interested in donating sperm?

It is advisable to donate through a licensed HFEA clinic. Complete Fertility Centre Southampton has a large sperm bank and many patients requesting fertility treatment with donor sperm. If you’re interested in becoming a sperm donor you can access more information please see the Information for Donors and you can apply using our online questionnaire.

Alternatively, call our Donor Coordinator on 023 8120 8407 or email donorcoordinator@completefertility.co.uk

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