{"id":15269,"date":"2022-05-31T21:08:00","date_gmt":"2022-05-31T21:08:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/givelegacy.com\/?post_type=resource&#038;p=2537"},"modified":"2024-03-22T19:03:32","modified_gmt":"2024-03-22T19:03:32","slug":"choosing-using-donor-sperm","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.givelegacy.com\/resources\/choosing-using-donor-sperm\/","title":{"rendered":"Choosing &#038; using donor sperm for same-sex couples"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>For LGBTQ couples in which both partners have ovaries, donor sperm is necessary to start a family. But should you use an anonymous donor (like from a sperm bank), or a donor you know? And what does the sperm donation process look like? Let&#8217;s take a look.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A recent <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC6765402\/\">study<\/a> found that this form of family building has been increasing since the mid-2000s, with nearly half a million women using donated sperm to conceive between 2015 and 2017.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:50px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Anonymous donor sperm vs. known donor sperm<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>There are pros and cons to each decision \u2014 let\u2019s take a look at factors to consider when making your choice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Pros and cons of anonymous donor sperm<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Anonymous donor sperm usually comes from a sperm bank. This method, which is subject to <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.fda.gov\/vaccines-blood-biologics\/tissue-tissue-products\/donor-eligibility-final-rule-and-guidance-questions-and-answers\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">FDA regulations<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and should follow the American Society for Reproductive Medicine\u2019s <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.fertstert.org\/article\/S0015-0282(02)03181-3\/fulltext\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">guidelines for sperm donation<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, has several advantages:<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><b>The donor is usually young and healthy<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Sperm donors should be between 18 and 40 years old and in good health, without known genetic abnormalities. A psychological screening may also be done. They may be excluded from donating if they have risk factors for certain diseases, as indicated by their medical history.<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><b>The semen has been analyzed for fertility<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. The donor&#8217;s semen has been checked for factors including <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/givelegacy.com\/sperm-quality\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">sperm quality<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and the total amount of moving sperm, known as <a href=\"https:\/\/www.givelegacy.com\/resources\/total-motile-sperm-count\/\">total motile sperm count<\/a>, to ensure a higher chance of success.<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><b>The donor has been screened for infectious diseases<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Before donating sperm, donors are tested for diseases and <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/givelegacy.com\/resources\/stis-stds-sperm-health-fertility\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">STIs<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> including HIV, chlamydia, and syphilis. These tests will be <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cryobank.com\/how-it-works\/donor-qualification\/infectious-diseases-screening\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">repeated<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> at regular intervals if the donor continues to donate sperm.<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><b>The donor won\u2019t be involved, legally or emotionally.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Using an anonymous sperm donor can help you avoid complicated situations in which the donor wants to meet or be involved in raising your child. It will also let you explain your use of a donor to your child when you\u2019re both ready.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Still, anonymity comes with downsides that are important to consider when choosing a sperm donor. These include:<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><b>It\u2019s expensive<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. At the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cryobank.com\/services\/pricing\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">California Cryobank<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, one vial of sperm for intracervical or intrauterine insemination currently costs $945. Furthermore, <\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/help.givelegacy.com\/en\/articles\/4307688-how-many-vials-are-recommended-for-each-desired-future-child\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">one vial may not be enough<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">; you may need several samples to get pregnant via these insemination methods.<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><b>It may not truly be anonymous<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. While clinics can conceal donors\u2019 identities, genetic testing services like 23andMe provide information that can <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.statnews.com\/2019\/09\/11\/consumer-dna-tests-sperm-donor-anonymity\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">help people find and connect<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> with their family members. Even if you wish to avoid knowing the identity of your child\u2019s biological family, they may be able to find out on their own later on.<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><b>Your child won\u2019t get an updated family medical history<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. While you&#8217;ll get the information that the sperm donor gave at the time they donated, you likely won&#8217;t get any follow-up information. Without up-to-date knowledge of diseases or conditions present in their biological relatives, your child may lack important information about their own risk factors.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Pros and cons of known donor sperm<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.givelegacy.com\/what-is-sperm\/\">Sperm<\/a> from a known donor (also called a directed donor), like a friend or relative, has its advantages and disadvantages as well. The main benefits include:<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><b>Your child can have a connection to their genetic parent<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. A relationship with their biological family can give your child broader family ties and help them understand their genetic traits.<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><b>You can use a \u201cfresh\u201d sperm sample for home insemination<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. You may be able to use non-frozen sperm for insemination at home or in a fertility clinic. One <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ajog.org\/article\/0002-9378(92)91548-O\/pdf\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">study<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> found that fresh sperm were more effective than <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/givelegacy.com\/guide-to-sperm-freezing\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">frozen sperm<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> for intrauterine insemination (IUI), with fertility rates of 21% versus approximately 16%.<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><b>It\u2019s cheaper<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. A known donor lets you avoid expensive vials of sperm from a sperm bank. You still may have some costs, such as for medical testing, storing the sperm, and for the insemination procedure, plus legal assistance.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There are also drawbacks that you would be less likely to experience with sperm from an anonymous donor. Consider the following:<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><b>It can be legally complicated<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. It\u2019s important to work with a lawyer to define what, if any, rights your sperm donor will have to your child. You should also check laws governing insemination procedures and parentage in your state to ensure that both you and your partner end up with full parental rights.<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><b>The sperm should be tested<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Just like sperm from an anonymous donor, sperm from a known donor should be tested with a <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/givelegacy.com\/sperm-analysis\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">semen analysis<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to make sure it\u2019s fertile.<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><b>The donor must be medically screened, and the sperm frozen and quarantined before use<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (if you are using a fertility clinic). Even if you know your donor, the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.fda.gov\/vaccines-blood-biologics\/tissue-tissue-products\/donor-eligibility-final-rule-and-guidance-questions-and-answers\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">FDA requires<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> that they be tested for infectious diseases like <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.euro.who.int\/en\/data-and-evidence\/evidence-informed-policy-making\/publications\/hen-summaries-of-network-members-reports\/how-effective-and-safe-is-semen-washing-for-hiv-serodiscordant-couples\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">HIV<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to avoid passing them on to the person carrying the pregnancy or child. The sperm may also need to be quarantined for 6 months if you want to use it in a fertility clinic, after which time your donor would be tested again.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:50px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Using donor sperm<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Whether you choose a known sperm donor or an anonymous one, you will need to decide <em>how<\/em> to use the sperm. There are three main methods, each with different advantages, disadvantages, and success rates. In general, people <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ucsfhealth.org\/treatments\/donor-sperm-insemination\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">younger than 35<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> without known fertility issues have a higher chance of getting pregnant with these procedures.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">At-home insemination with donor sperm<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Typically, this involves depositing the sperm close to your cervix with a syringe, known as intracervical insemination (ICI). ICI is less expensive than other methods, but also somewhat less effective, with a <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/academic.oup.com\/humrep\/article\/30\/3\/603\/662550\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">2015 study<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> finding a 37.9% pregnancy rate after up to six treatment cycles.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><b>Intrauterine insemination (IUI)<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> with donor sperm<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">With IUI, your doctor will use a catheter to place the donor sperm directly into your uterus. IUI is closely timed to take place during ovulation.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Because a fertility clinic prepares the sperm and performs the procedure, it\u2019s more expensive than at-home insemination. However, it\u2019s also slightly more effective than ICI, with the same study indicating a 40.5% pregnancy rate after six treatment cycles. Over a single cycle, the success rate typically falls between <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.webmd.com\/infertility-and-reproduction\/what-is-iui-success\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">7% and 25%<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> depending on your age, fertility, and other factors.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><b>In vitro fertilization (IVF)<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> with donor sperm<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">IVF involves extracting eggs from the ovaries, combining them with sperm in a lab, then placing the fertilized egg back in a uterus. According to the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.sart.org\/patients\/fyi-videos\/the-difference-between-iui-and-ivf\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, the average cost of IVF in the U.S. is approximately $11,000, compared to under $2,000 for IUI.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The success rate is highly dependent on age: those under age 35 have a <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.webmd.com\/infertility-and-reproduction\/guide\/in-vitro-fertilization\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">39.6% chance<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> of getting pregnant in one cycle IVF, but the rate drops to 11.5% for those over 40.<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The CDC offers an <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/art\/ivf-success-estimator\/index.html\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">IVF Success Estimator<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, which uses a series of questions to calculate your chances of IVF helping you have a baby.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), a technique in which an embryologist injects a single sperm directly into the egg, can <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/rbej.biomedcentral.com\/articles\/10.1186\/s12958-019-0474-y\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">increase IVF fertilization rates<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and potentially mean you only need one vial of donor sperm.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">How Legacy can help<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you choose to use sperm from a known donor, Legacy offers <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/givelegacy.com\/sperm-analysis\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">at-home semen analysis<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. With significantly lower costs than traditional methods, we\u2019ll help you access affordable, effective ways to grow your family.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>For some LGBTQ couples, donor sperm is necessary to start a family. But should you use an anonymous donor, or a donor you know? And what does the sperm donation process look like? Let&#8217;s take a look.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":14,"featured_media":2538,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_seopress_robots_primary_cat":"none","_seopress_titles_title":"Choosing and using donor sperm: a guide for same-sex couples %%sep%% %%sitetitle%%","_seopress_titles_desc":"For some LGBTQ couples, donor sperm is necessary to start a family. Should you use an anonymous donor, or a donor you know? What&#039;s the sperm donation process?","_seopress_robots_index":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[235,31],"tags":[337,82,201,236],"class_list":["post-15269","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-family-building-options","category-lgbtq-plus","tag-donor-sperm","tag-fertility-treatment","tag-lgbtq","tag-same-sex-couples"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.givelegacy.com\/vnext\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/15269"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.givelegacy.com\/vnext\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.givelegacy.com\/vnext\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.givelegacy.com\/vnext\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/14"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.givelegacy.com\/vnext\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=15269"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/www.givelegacy.com\/vnext\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/15269\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":38701,"href":"https:\/\/www.givelegacy.com\/vnext\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/15269\/revisions\/38701"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.givelegacy.com\/vnext\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/2538"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.givelegacy.com\/vnext\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=15269"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.givelegacy.com\/vnext\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=15269"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.givelegacy.com\/vnext\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=15269"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}