Sperm donation has become a very important part of infertility treatment, since the advent and advancement of In Vitro Fertilization (fertilizing an egg in a test tube and implanting it in a woman's uterus) and In Utero Fertilization (instilling sperm directly into the uterus). A fertility clinic relies on donated sperm to assist couples in whom the man is sterile or to assist single women to achieve conception.
Like Egg Donors, Sperm Donors are screened by the fertility clinic to ensure that healthy sperm will be collected, including testing for sexually transmitted diseases. A medical history is obtained, in addition to a physical exam, to provide information on the health of the donor.
Sperm donors generally meet certain criteria, including:
- age between 18 and 35
- able to provide medical history information about both sides of the family
- testing negative for STDs and infectious diseases
- free of chronic health problems
- ability to commit to providing necessary samples
Sperm donors are paid for their sperm, and sign documents that give up parental rights to any children which are conceived using the sperm, unless donating in a State that does not consider sperm or egg donors to be legal parents, such as California.
Sperm donors report to the fertility clinic and provide the ejaculate for use in donation. The sperm is then stored until used for fertilization. The process can be anonymous or you can have your identity released.
