Find a Donor – FAQ’s
Find detailed answers to common questions about using donor sperm, including how to choose the right donor, treatment options, and the regulations surrounding the process. Whether you’re just starting your journey or need more specific information, this guide will help you navigate your next steps.
Choose a FAQ Topic
General
Who can use London Sperm Bank services?
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Anyone receiving treatment at an HFEA-licensed fertility clinic in the UK can purchase donor sperm from London Sperm Bank. Before placing an order, you must be a registered patient at a licensed clinic. We also recommend having a treatment plan in place to ensure the smooth progression of your fertility journey.
How do I place an order for donor sperm?
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Ordering donor sperm is simple and can be done online following these steps:
1. Browse our donor database to find a suitable donor based on your preferences.
2. Select the desired donor and add the required number of vials to your basket.
3. Proceed to checkout and complete your purchase.
Once your order is placed, we will liaise directly with your clinic to arrange delivery, ensuring a seamless process.
1. Browse our donor database to find a suitable donor based on your preferences.
2. Select the desired donor and add the required number of vials to your basket.
3. Proceed to checkout and complete your purchase.
Once your order is placed, we will liaise directly with your clinic to arrange delivery, ensuring a seamless process.
How much donor sperm can I order?
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You can purchase multiple vials from a single donor, but only one donor can be selected per order. Many recipients choose to buy extra vials to improve their chances of conception over multiple treatment cycles and to secure sperm from the same donor for potential sibling pregnancies. To ensure availability for future treatments, we recommend purchasing 2–3 vials.
When should I order donor sperm?
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To avoid delays, we advise placing your order at least four weeks before your intended treatment date. Orders placed after this time may not be processed and delivered in time for treatment.
I placed my order but haven’t received a confirmation. What should I do?
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You should receive an automated confirmation email shortly after placing your order. If you haven’t received this email, check your junk or spam folder. If it’s not there, contact our team at 020 7563 4305 for further assistance.
What is Donor of the Month?
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Each month, we celebrate one of our amazing donors as our Donor of the Month. Their selfless donations helps make your path to parenthood a little easier — and in their honour, we’re able to offer you a special 40% discount. It’s one more way we’re here to support you on this journey.
Donor Screening and Information
What screening do donors undergo?
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All donors go through extensive screening in line with HFEA, BAS, BFS, and EUTD guidelines, including:
• Infectious disease testing.
• Genetic screening.
• Comprehensive medical history review.
• Physical examination by a specialist consultant.
• Mandatory implications counselling.
All samples are quarantined before being released.
• Infectious disease testing.
• Genetic screening.
• Comprehensive medical history review.
• Physical examination by a specialist consultant.
• Mandatory implications counselling.
All samples are quarantined before being released.
Can my child access donor details in the future?
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Yes. Under HFEA regulations:
• At 16 years old, they can request non-identifying donor information.
• At 18 years old, they can access the donor’s identity.
This information needs to be requested directly from the HFEA.
• At 16 years old, they can request non-identifying donor information.
• At 18 years old, they can access the donor’s identity.
This information needs to be requested directly from the HFEA.
What is a pen sketch?
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A pen sketch is a personal essay written by the donor, offering insight into his personality and characteristics. Not all donors provide a pen sketch, but if available, it can be viewed on the donor’s profile.
Sample Quality and MOT
What does MOT mean?
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MOT (Motile Sperm Post Thawing) refers to the number of moving sperm per millilitre of semen after thawing. For example, an MOT of 10+ means we expect at least 10 million motile sperm per millilitre once thawed. The MOT level helps determine which treatment the sample is best suited for.
How is sperm quality ensured?
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Every sample undergoes rigorous quality control checks by our expert Andrologists. We:
• Perform extensive sperm testing before freezing.
• Only store samples with a high survival rate post-freezing.
• Follow strict UK regulations set by the HFEA, BAS, and BFS to guarantee the highest standards.
• Perform extensive sperm testing before freezing.
• Only store samples with a high survival rate post-freezing.
• Follow strict UK regulations set by the HFEA, BAS, and BFS to guarantee the highest standards.
What should I do if my clinic reports a quality issue?
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If your clinic identifies any concerns regarding the sample quality, they should complete a Quality Report Form and send it to us. We take quality seriously and will investigate promptly to resolve any issues.
Treatment Types
What types of treatments can donor sperm be used for?
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Donor sperm is suitable for a range of fertility treatments, including:
• IUI (Intrauterine Insemination)
• IVF (In Vitro Fertilisation)
• ICSI (Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection)
We provide different sperm preparations depending on the treatment type.
• IUI (Intrauterine Insemination)
• IVF (In Vitro Fertilisation)
• ICSI (Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection)
We provide different sperm preparations depending on the treatment type.
What is the difference between IVF/ICSI, ICI, and IUI samples?
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IVF/ICSI (10–14MOT, unwashed) – These samples are unprepared and contain a lower concentration of motile sperm. Suitable for IVF and ICSI.
ICI (15+MOT, unwashed/unprepared) – These samples are unprepared and must be prepared by your clinic before use. Suitable for IUI, IVF, or ICSI.
IUI (20+MOT, washed/prepared) – These samples have already been processed, making them ideal for IUI and also suitable for IVF and ICSI.
ICSI Only (8–10MOT, unwashed/unprepared) – Specifically for ICSI treatments, these samples must be prepared by your clinic.
ICI (15+MOT, unwashed/unprepared) – These samples are unprepared and must be prepared by your clinic before use. Suitable for IUI, IVF, or ICSI.
IUI (20+MOT, washed/prepared) – These samples have already been processed, making them ideal for IUI and also suitable for IVF and ICSI.
ICSI Only (8–10MOT, unwashed/unprepared) – Specifically for ICSI treatments, these samples must be prepared by your clinic.
Ordering and Delivery
How soon can I expect my order to be delivered?
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Once your order is placed, we aim to dispatch samples as soon as possible. However, delivery time depends on your clinic’s schedule and location. To avoid delays, please ensure your clinic is expecting the delivery. On average, orders take 2 to 3 weeks to reach your clinic.
Can I purchase additional samples for future use?
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Yes! Many recipients secure additional vials for future treatments or potential sibling pregnancies. Purchasing multiple vials ensures you can use the same donor later if desired.
What if the donor I selected is no longer available?
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Donor availability is first-come, first-served. If your chosen donor is no longer listed, it may be due to:
• No remaining stock.
• All pregnancy slots being allocated.
• The donor withdrawing from the programme.
We recommend securing multiple vials to avoid disappointment.
• No remaining stock.
• All pregnancy slots being allocated.
• The donor withdrawing from the programme.
We recommend securing multiple vials to avoid disappointment.
Can my partner use the same donor for her treatment?
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Yes! If you have an ongoing pregnancy with a confirmed foetal heartbeat, you can reserve additional vials of the same donor for your partner’s treatment. You will need to complete HFEA consent forms at your clinic before proceeding.
Success and Follow-Up
Can I reserve the same donor for future sibling treatments?
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Yes, provided there is still stock available. Contact our customer care team as soon as possible to reserve vials for future use.
What if I am unsuccessful in treatment, can I still use the same donor?
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We advise reordering immediately after an unsuccessful treatment to secure additional vials. If no further vials are purchased, your allocated pregnancy slot may be lost.
Why is my previous donor no longer available?
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A donor may be removed for the following reasons:
• No remaining stock.
• All pregnancy slots allocated.
• The donor withdrawing from the programme.
• Further medical investigation required.
Following a negative treatment outcome, donor slots are reliquished and republished back onto our catalogue.
• No remaining stock.
• All pregnancy slots allocated.
• The donor withdrawing from the programme.
• Further medical investigation required.
Following a negative treatment outcome, donor slots are reliquished and republished back onto our catalogue.
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.