Become a Donor – FAQ’s
Find answers to the most common questions about becoming a sperm donor with London Sperm Bank. Whether you’re just starting to explore donation or you’re midway through the process, this guide will help you understand what to expect at every stage.
Choose a FAQ Topic
General
Who can become a sperm donor?
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Healthy men aged 18–45, with no serious medical or genetic conditions, may be eligible to donate. You must be living in the UK and able to travel to our clinic in London Bridge regularly for appointments.
Why should I become a sperm donor?
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Donating sperm is a unique opportunity to help individuals and couples who are unable to conceive without donor assistance. It’s a meaningful way to support others while learning more about your own reproductive health.
Where is London Sperm Bank located?
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We are based in London Bridge, with excellent transport links and flexible appointment availability to make the process as convenient as possible for you.
Can I limit the use of my donations to specific recipients?
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No, you cannot limit the use of your donations to specific recipients based on protected characteristics such as sexuality, race, or religion, as this would violate the Equality Act 2010. Our service supports a diverse range of recipients, including heterosexual couples, same-sex couples, and single women.
Screening & Eligibility
What tests will I need to complete?
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You’ll undergo a semen analysis, medical history review, physical examination, genetic and STI screening, and a test freeze. This ensures your sperm is suitable and safe for use in treatment.
Do I need to have fathered children before?
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No. Previous fertility is not a requirement. Your eligibility is based on current sperm quality and health screening outcomes.
What if I’m unsure about something in my family medical history?
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Our team will work through your medical history with you in detail. If needed, we may consult with genetic specialists to help assess eligibility.
What is the counselling session for, and is it mandatory?
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The counselling information session is designed to discuss the legal, ethical, and social implications of sperm donation, helping you make an informed decision. It is a private and confidential session, not a mental health assessment, and is mandatory for all donors.
What steps can I take to improve the quality of my sperm?
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To improve sperm quality, consider making the following lifestyle adjustments:
• Diet and exercise: A healthy, balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and lean proteins can support sperm health. Regular exercise helps maintain a healthy weight and improves circulation, which can benefit sperm quality.
• Avoid smoking and excessive alcohol: Smoking and heavy drinking can negatively affect sperm quality, so it’s advised to quit smoking and limit alcohol consumption.
• Minimise exposure to toxins: Avoid exposure to environmental toxins, such as pesticides, heavy metals, and chemicals, which can impact sperm health. This includes reducing your exposure to harmful substances in your work or personal life.
• Manage stress: Chronic stress can negatively impact sperm production, so try to find effective ways to manage stress, such as through mindfulness, relaxation techniques, or physical activities like yoga.
• Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of water to keep your body, including sperm production, functioning optimally.
• Avoid overheating: Avoid hot tubs, saunas, and tight clothing, as excessive heat can lower sperm count and motility.
• Supplements: Some men find that supplements like vitamins C and E, folic acid, and zinc may help improve sperm health. Consult a healthcare professional or pharmacist before starting any new supplement regimen.
By making these changes, you can enhance sperm quality and increase the likelihood of meeting the programme’s requirements. Click here for more information on sperm quality.
• Diet and exercise: A healthy, balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and lean proteins can support sperm health. Regular exercise helps maintain a healthy weight and improves circulation, which can benefit sperm quality.
• Avoid smoking and excessive alcohol: Smoking and heavy drinking can negatively affect sperm quality, so it’s advised to quit smoking and limit alcohol consumption.
• Minimise exposure to toxins: Avoid exposure to environmental toxins, such as pesticides, heavy metals, and chemicals, which can impact sperm health. This includes reducing your exposure to harmful substances in your work or personal life.
• Manage stress: Chronic stress can negatively impact sperm production, so try to find effective ways to manage stress, such as through mindfulness, relaxation techniques, or physical activities like yoga.
• Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of water to keep your body, including sperm production, functioning optimally.
• Avoid overheating: Avoid hot tubs, saunas, and tight clothing, as excessive heat can lower sperm count and motility.
• Supplements: Some men find that supplements like vitamins C and E, folic acid, and zinc may help improve sperm health. Consult a healthcare professional or pharmacist before starting any new supplement regimen.
By making these changes, you can enhance sperm quality and increase the likelihood of meeting the programme’s requirements. Click here for more information on sperm quality.
Donation Process
How often do I need to donate?
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We usually ask donors to visit the clinic once or twice a week during their donation period. This typically lasts 3–6 months, depending on your individual sample quality and storage targets.
What happens during a donation appointment?
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You’ll provide a semen sample onsite in a private room. Each appointment is quick and discreet, with our staff available to answer any questions you have.
Will participating in the donation programme require me to make any changes to my lifestyle or routine, such as alterations in sexual activity, social behaviour, or travel plans?
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Participating in the sperm donation programme may require some short-term changes to your lifestyle and routine to ensure the quality and safety of your donations. For example:
• Sexual activity: You will need to abstain from sexual activity for a specific period of 2-7 days before each donation to help maintain sperm quality. We provide guidelines on the required abstinence period for each donation.
• Social behaviour: We ask that you practice safe sex during the donation period to reduce the risk of contracting or spreading STIs. Using barrier contraception is mandatory even with a long-term partner.
• Travel: If you recently travelled or plan to travel to countries with higher risks of infectious diseases such as Malaria, Zika, or other conditions, this may affect your eligibility to donate until you complete additional screenings or quarantine periods. You will ask you to declare any travel plans to us so we can assess the risks and act accordingly.
By following these guidelines, you help maintain the safety of the recipients and their offspring, as well as your own health during the donation process.
• Sexual activity: You will need to abstain from sexual activity for a specific period of 2-7 days before each donation to help maintain sperm quality. We provide guidelines on the required abstinence period for each donation.
• Social behaviour: We ask that you practice safe sex during the donation period to reduce the risk of contracting or spreading STIs. Using barrier contraception is mandatory even with a long-term partner.
• Travel: If you recently travelled or plan to travel to countries with higher risks of infectious diseases such as Malaria, Zika, or other conditions, this may affect your eligibility to donate until you complete additional screenings or quarantine periods. You will ask you to declare any travel plans to us so we can assess the risks and act accordingly.
By following these guidelines, you help maintain the safety of the recipients and their offspring, as well as your own health during the donation process.
Compensation & Commitment
Do I get paid for donating?
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You will receive compensation of £45 per clinic visit to cover time and expenses. This is the maximum allowed under HFEA regulations. The compensation will be provided to you in a lump sum via bank transfer once all your samples have completed quarantine, thus when you have successfully completed the programme.
Is there a minimum time commitment?
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We ask for a minimum commitment of several months to help us build a strong and usable stock of your samples. Consistency is key for quality and storage.
Can I take a break or stop donating at any time?
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Although we do not advise this, yes. You will also be asked to re-confirm your consent before your samples are made available for use.
Privacy & Legal Rights
Will I be the legal parent of any children born?
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No. Under UK law, you are not the legal parent of any child born from your donation. You have no parental rights or responsibilities and will not be named on any birth certificate.
Will I be told if a child is born from my donation?
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You may request non-identifying updates, such as the number of children born, their year of birth, and their biological sex. You won’t be given personal information about recipients or children.
Can donor-conceived children contact me in the future?
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From age 18, donor-conceived individuals can request identifying details about their donor. It’s their choice to initiate contact, and we encourage donors to consider this possibility during implications counselling.
After Donation
Can I access my own donated sperm for personal use?
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No. Once you donate to London Sperm Bank, your samples are stored exclusively for use by registered patients. Donors cannot reserve or access their own donated sperm for personal fertility treatment now or in the future.
Can I donate sperm somewhere else after this programme?
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No. Once registered as a donor on the HFEA’s PRISM database, you are only permitted to donate at one UK-licensed sperm bank. This ensures national family limits are monitored and respected across all clinics.
Do I need to update you about changes in my health after I finish donating?
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Yes. If any serious medical conditions are diagnosed in you, your children, or your first-degree relatives (e.g. parents or siblings) after donation, you are required to inform us. This is essential for ensuring the safety of donor-conceived families and may impact future use of your samples.
Still have questions?
We’re here to help.
Our friendly team is ready to assist you with any questions or uncertainties. We understand this is a big decision, and we’re here to support you every step of the way.