This Leaflet

This information leaflet has been

written to assist men who are
interested in becoming sperm
donors. It is designed to provide
background information to assist
them in making decisions. For
more detailed information please
visit the HFEA website:

https://www.hfea.gov.uk/donatio
n/donors/donating-your-sperm/
W: www.londonspermbank.com
T: 020 7563 4305
E: info@londonspermbank.com
London Sperm
Why are sperm
donors needed?
Childbirth is often taken for granted,
The HFEA and many people are unaware of
infertility until they or someone close
The HFEA (Human
are unable to have children. The facts
Fertilisation and Embryology
are that approximately 15% of
Authority) is the body that
couples of reproductive age fail to
regulates fertility treatment
achieve a wanted pregnancy within a
in the UK. The HFEA keeps a
12-month period, despite regular
register of all licensed
unprotected sexual intercourse.
fertility treatments, which
includes details of whether

Bank
In 50% of couples, abnormal semen
donated sperm has been
parameters point to a male-infertility-
used during treatment. This
associated factor. Today, these cases
is designed to protect those

FAQs
can be helped by a range of fertility
having treatment, their
treatments, one of which includes
children, and the donors.
sperm donation. In addition, donor
sperm is the only viable option for
pregnancy in single women and same-
sex couples.
 WHO CAN DONATE?
What
does the
If you’re a healthy man aged between 18
and 45 and are interested in becoming a
sperm donor, our experienced staff will be

law say?
Donor banks in the UK must be
licensed by the HFEA, where details
relating to each donor are recorded.
Amendments to The Human
Fertilisation & Embryology Act
introduced on 1st April 2005 removed
the anonymity of donors. This means
that from the age of 18 children born
as a result of sperm donation have
the right of access to identifying
information about their donor.
From the age of 16, anyone born as a
result of donations will have access
to the following non-identifying
information provided by the donor:
7) Whether the donor was adopted, or
donor conceived (if they are aware of this)
8) Marital status at the time of donation
9) Details of any screening tests and
medical history
10) Skills
11) Reason for donating
12) A goodwill message and a description
of themselves as a person (pen portrait)
13) An extended profile, a family tree and
any other non-identifying information
provided by the donor
From the age of 18, anyone born as a
result of donations will have access to the
following identifying information:
1) Full names (and any previous names)
2) Date of birth, and town or district
where born, and
3) Last known postal address (or address
at time of registration).
happy to talk you through the process in
more detail.
Prior to donation, all prospective donors
must be assessed by a trained healthcare
professional to determine their suitability
to donate and screened for a range of
medical conditions.
The screening process at London Sperm
Bank adheres to the requirements of the
HFEA and the latest UK screening
guidelines. Screening aims to prevent the
transmission of any infectious or inherited
diseases from donor to recipient and then
to a child born as a result of donation.

1) Physical description (height, The HFEA will make a reasonable attempt

weight, and eye, hair and skin colour)
2) Year and country of birth
3) Ethnic group
4) Whether the donor had any genetic
children when they registered, and
the number and sex of those children
5) Other details the donor may have
chosen to supply (e.g., occupation,
religion, and interests)
6) The ethnic group(s) of the donor’s
parents
to contact and forewarn donors before
disclosing identifiable details to anyone
born as a result of their donation. The
centre encourages donors to provide up-
to-date contact details in order to
facilitate this forewarning. The recipients
of donor sperm (i.e. fertility patients) do
not have access to identifying information.
https://www.hfea.gov.uk/donation/donors
/rules-around-releasing-donor-information

Because the law now gives donor conceived
people the right to know the identity of their
donor from the age of 18, it is possible that
they could make contact with their donor.
However, not all donor conceived people
will want to do this. In addition, donors have
no legal or financial responsibilities to any
child created from their donation; only the
person who received the donation (and their
partner if they have one) will be the child’s
legal and social parent(s). The donor will not
be named on the birth certificate and will
have no rights over how the child is raised.
Studies have indicated that knowing their
genetic heritage helps people make sense
of who they are. This is why donors are
asked to give information about their family
and medical history and to write a brief pen
portrait - so that it's available to a donor-
conceived person from the age of 18.
Why should I donate through
a clinic and not a private
arrangement?
All fertility clinics licensed by the HFEA must
conform to strict medical, legal, and ethical
standards. This ensures that everyone
involved in the donation is clear about their
legal position and is protected by law.
Sperm donated through a clinic is also
controlled by regulations and must be
screened for certain inheritable medical
conditions and sexually transmitted diseases.
This helps to ensure that the babies born from
donated sperm are healthy, and that there are
no health risks to the people being treated.
What are the risks?
Whilst undergoing screening tests or genetic
tests, there is a possibility that the screening
may reveal unsuspected conditions (eg low
sperm count, genetic anomalies, or infections)
but we want to reassure you that counselling
is always available.
What if I change my mind?
All sperm donors must, by law, consent in
writing that their sperm can be used for
treatment. Donors can change or withdraw
consent up to the point at which any sperm (or
any embryos created from the donated
sperm) are transferred to the recipient. This
means that you can change or withdraw your
consent to any stored frozen sperm, or
embryos created from them, being used after
donation.
The Donation
Programme and
Commitment
Once you have been accepted onto the
programme, you will be expected to
attend the clinic on a regular basis once
or twice a week to produce a sample for
freezing.
It is important that the period that you are
donating at London Sperm Bank is kept to
a minimum. This will reduce the possibility
of catching any infections which could
ultimately make your samples unusable.
Ordinarily, you should expect to donate
regularly over a period of 3-6 months,
although this time may vary due to normal
fluctuations in sperm quality.
Donor sperm must be quarantined for a
minimum of 180 days, after which repeat
testing is required. It is therefore
important that you remain availab for 6
months after you complete your regular
donation visits. This final screening is
crucial, as it excludes the presence of
active infections and allows us to offer
your sperm samples to potential
recipients.

How do I
become
a donor?
You can apply either by registering on
our website, calling or emailing us
(contact details supplied above). One
of our dedicated donor recruiters will
then follow up from your initial
application and contact you by phone
or by email to arrange an initial
consultation appointment.
On your first appointment we will go
through your medical history and if
successful, you will be booked for an
onsite visit to produce a sperm
sample. You must observe 2-7 days
abstinence from any sexual activity
for the semen analysis; too short or
too long an abstinence might affect
results.
We will have the results of your
semen analysis within 48 hours. If the
results of these initial tests are within
our criteria, you will be invited to join
our donor programme and to be
screened for genetic diseases and
sexually transmitted infections via a
blood and urine test. The screening
programme complies with the
requirements of the HFEA and follows
the UK guidelines for the medical and
laboratory screening of sperm, egg
and embryo donors (2019).
COUNSELLING
Deciding to donate your sperm is one of
the most kind, significant decisions you
can make. It’s not a case of simply
strolling into your nearest clinic, making
the donation and walking away. It requires
If you are not accepted as a sperm donor,
consideration, and counselling is an
we will explain the reasons why to you.
important step on your journey as a sperm
Common reasons for not being accepted
donor.
are:
All donors are offered an implication
Poor freeze/thaw results: For reasons
counselling appointment whilst on the
that are not fully understood, not all
programme. This provides a safe place in
sperm samples are able to survive the
which you can discuss any concerns about
process of freezing and thawing which is
sperm donation and to explore what it
necessary for fertility treatments. If
involves for you and those close to you.
sufficient numbers of your sperm are
unable to survive the freezing and thawing
process, you will not be accepted as a
donor. COMPENSATION
Genetically linked diseases and
Once accepted onto the donor programme
conditions: During the clinic's evaluation
all donors can be reimbursed a fee of up
of your family history, and following the
to £35 per visit to the clinic. This is to
various blood tests, it is possible that
cover any out of pocket expenses you
some conditions may be discovered which
may have incurred visiting the clinic. You
will not allow you to become a donor. For
will not need to provide receipts to
example, you may be found to be a carrier
receive this sum.
of a genetic mutation for Cystic Fibrosis.
While many in the adult population are
carriers but do not have the disease, they
are still unable to be donors because of
the risks of passing on the mutation.
Sexually acquired infections: Whilst
some sexually transmitted infections are
treatable, others (e.g. Genital Warts or
Herpes) can only be managed. If during
your assessment you are found to have
one of these conditions, the clinic will not
be able to accept you.