IVF with donor sperm
Registered nurse and expert in reproductive medicine
What is IVF with donor sperm?
IVF with donor sperm is very similar to Standard IVF, with one key difference — the sperm comes from someone other than someone you are in a relationship with.
What is the process of IVF with donor sperm?
The process is identical to the Standard IVF process, except that the source of the sperm is different. During an initial work-up phase with a doctor, expect to have a series of blood tests and ultrasounds to determine fertility potential and any possible concerns, while a male partner will have blood tests and do a semen analysis to assess his sperm's potential. If the results of the semen analysis are undesirable, the male partner will likely be referred to a urologist, and they'll discuss using donor sperm.
To help with the selection process, the fertility clinic will offer a list of banks that they work with. People using donor sperm can select a specific donor and order sperm from a reputable supplier.3 It can take several weeks to process paperwork and for the order to arrive.
After ordering sperm, it's time to start the IVF process, either with your own eggs or donor eggs. On the day of egg retrieval, an embryologist will thaw the selected vial of donor sperm and prepare it to fertilize the eggs.
In a lab, an embryologist will fertilize the eggs with the donor sperm and monitor the developing embryos for several days as they grow. Good quality, healthy embryos can be transferred to the uterus, and any extras can be frozen and stored to use later.
After an embryo is transferred, patients wait approximately 10 days before taking a pregnancy test. If it’s positive, they can carry the pregnancy like any other. If it’s negative, they can transfer any remaining embryos, or start the process over again..4
What is the cost of IVF with donor sperm?
Here are average costs from across all of the US:
Base cost of IVF:
$13,000
Donor sperm:
$450–$2,000
Additional procedures:
$3,000
Medication:
$2,000–$5,000
Total average cost:
$21,850
Generally, IVF with donor sperm costs an average of $21,850. Donor sperm typically costs an additional $450-$2,000 per vial on top of an IVF cycle, which covers the sperm and admin fees.6 Some clinics charge additional fees to receive shipped donor sperm and store it until you need it.
Clinics’ listed prices can leave out essential procedures and medications, such as embryo freezing and storage for additional embryos created, sedation during egg collection, PGT testing, and medication. All these extra costs can add thousands of dollars on top of your treatment costs.
The bottom line
IVF with donor sperm is a great choice for anyone who needs a healthy sperm source to fertilize eggs for IVF treatment. Donor sperm has an additional cost, but it means being able to select the donor that best suits you. You can select a donor from a bank or use a friend or family member, and after an egg and donor sperm are fertilized in a lab, you, a partner, or a surrogate can carry a healthy embryo to term.
Common questions about IVF with donor sperm
Your fertility doctor will be able to answer your specific questions about your unique treatment plan, but there are a handful of questions that nearly every patient asks:
Pros: Using donor sperm means same sex female couples and single women can become parents on their own terms. It can also be a great option for men who have inheritable conditions that they don’t want to pass along to their children.
Cons: Sperm donors cannot be anonymous. At-home donor insemination, which does still occasionally happen in the UK, is risky and can result in complications.6 Be sure to go through the sperm donor selection process through a reputable clinic — this is not a DIY operation.
No, donors in the UK must be identifiable and cannot donate anonymously. When a child turns 16, they can ask the HFEA for non-identifiable information about their donor, like medical history and year of birth. After the child turns 18, they can ask for their donor’s name and address.7
People who receive donor sperm can also find out how many other children have been born from a given donor’s sperm.
Sperm banks are widely available in the UK, or you can import sperm from abroad if the bank’s procedures are in accordance with HFEA.5 You can always ask your clinic if the sperm bank is compliant. As another option, consider sourcing sperm from a friend or family member, which is referred to as “known donation”. If you’re using a known donor, expect to have the sperm tested first to ensure it’s high quality and isn’t impacted by any sexually transmitted diseases (STDs).
Am I a good candidate for IVF with donor sperm?
Your fertility doctor will be able to best advise you about ways to optimize your success. In general, IVF with donor sperm benefits people who can’t use their own sperm for conception, have male factor fertility issues, or are same sex female couples or single women.
Interested in spreading out treatment payments over a longer period of time and protecting your treatment? You might be eligible for a Gaia Plan to finance your IVF with donor sperm treatment.
Is IVF with donor sperm suitable for me?
IVF with donor sperm is a suitable option for anyone with male factor fertility issues, or even to avoid passing on known genetic disorders or medical conditions. Single women who want to become parents may need donor sperm. IVF with donor sperm is also suitable for LGBTQ+ couples who may not be providing sperm, such as same sex female couples.
Read our guides for other treatments that could be suitable for you:
IVF with ICSI
Reciprocal IVF
Still have questions about IVF with donor sperm?
“Try to find something for just you or you and your partner to do whilst in treatment. It’s so easy for it to be all consuming but it makes it a lot easier if you have other things to occupy your mind.”
Katie and Georgia
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