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Sperm Donor Process

How does sperm donation work?

At London Sperm Bank, we offer a supportive, rewarding and premium sperm donation experience. From your first visit to the final stage of donation, we prioritise your health, safety, and comfort—while ensuring the highest-quality samples for patients across the UK.

Our screening process is one of the most comprehensive in the country, exceeding World Health Organization (WHO) standards.

Before you can become a donor, we take you through a series of checks to ensure you’re in good health and that your sperm meets the quality standards required for treatment. It’s a straightforward process designed to be informative, respectful, and thorough.

Screening Steps

1

Sperm Quality Test

Your first visit includes a semen analysis to check sperm count, motility, and morphology. We also perform a test freeze to ensure your sperm survive the freezing and thawing process used for long-term storage.
2

Medical History Review

You’ll complete a detailed medical and family history questionnaire. This helps us assess your overall health and identify any hereditary conditions that may affect your eligibility to donate.
3

Counselling Information Session

You’ll speak with a trained counsellor in a confidential session. This is your opportunity to ask questions, explore the implications of donation, and ensure you’re fully informed and comfortable proceeding.
4

Genetic & STI Screening

We’ll carry out blood and urine tests to screen for infectious diseases and genetic conditions. These ensure we meet the highest safety standards for patients and any children born through donation.
5

Doctor’s Physical Examination

A doctor will carry out a full health check and review your lifestyle. This is to confirm that there are no medical issues that would affect the quality or safety of your sperm donations.
6

Consent Completion

You’ll be guided through a formal consent process. This includes deciding how your samples can be used, how many families you’re happy to help, and how your donor profile will appear to patients.

The Donation Process Timeline

Our sperm donation programme is structured into three key phases, ensuring that all donors meet the highest standards of health and safety before their samples are made available to patients.

1 4 – 6 Weeks

 
Screening & Approval
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  • Application & Initial Contact – Donors apply online and are contacted by our recruitment team for an initial consultation.
  • Semen Analysis – A laboratory assessment determines if the donor’s sperm meets our quality standards.
  • Medical & Genetic Review – A detailed medical history is reviewed by our clinical genetics team.
  • Blood & Urine Screening – Donors undergo genetic and infectious disease testing, with the latter repeated every three months.
  • Physical Examination & Counselling – A doctor conducts a full health check, and donors attend implications counselling.
  • Final Approval – Once all screening results are cleared, the donor is officially accepted into the programme.

2 3 – 9 Months

 
Donation, Ongoing Screening & Quarantine
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  • Regular Donations – Donors provide multiple sperm samples over a set period.
  • Routine Testing – Every three months, donors undergo repeat screening to ensure continued health and compliance.
  • Quarantine Period – Each donation is frozen and stored for three to six months before it can be released.
  • Final Blood Tests – After the last donation, a final screening is conducted to confirm the donor remains free of infections.

3 4 Weeks

 
File Review & Clearance
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  • Comprehensive File Review – Our lab team conducts two independent checks to verify all medical records, test results, and donation history.
  • Final Clearance – Once all records are approved, the donor’s profile is published on our website.
  • Donations Available for Patients – The donor’s sperm can now be selected by patients for use in fertility treatments.

Every Donor Journey is Different

Sperm quality and other factors can vary from person to person, which means your donation journey might look slightly different from someone else’s — and that’s completely normal.

If your sperm is best suited for IUI (Intrauterine Insemination), we may need to store a higher number of samples to reach your donation goal. For IVF or ICSI, fewer samples are typically required.

The volume of each sample also matters. Donors who produce larger volumes of high-quality sperm may reach their storage targets more quickly.

We also take into account the number of families you’ve consented to help. This allows us to plan how many vials are needed to support future patients.

The number of clinic visits you’ll need depends on how your samples perform during screening and storage. Whatever your individual path looks like, we’ll guide you through it clearly and support you every step of the way.

Our Facilities

Donor Lounge

Donors can relax before their appointments in our comfortable lounge, which offers free hot drinks, WiFi, charging points, and entertainment to make their visit as enjoyable as possible.

Consultation Rooms

Our private consultation rooms provide a calm and confidential space where donors can discuss their medical history, screening process, and any questions with our expert team.

Production Rooms

Designed for comfort and privacy, our production rooms are soundproof and equipped with entertainment options to ensure donors feel at ease when providing their samples.

Laboratory

Our state-of-the-art laboratory is where all semen analysis and processing take place. Our scientists assess sperm quality and prepare samples for storage or use.

CryoRoom

The CryoRoom is where donor sperm is safely stored at ultra-low temperatures using advanced cryopreservation techniques, ensuring long-term viability for future use.

Ready to Start Your Journey?

Becoming a sperm donor is one of the most impactful and generous decisions you can make. Whether you’re ready to begin or just have a few questions, we’re here to support you every step of the way.

Apply now
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