Cash for sperm: Would money make you consider sperm donation?

Sperm donors are in such short supply in some areas of the UK, one Southern sperm bank has resorted to a ‘cash for sperm’ campaign, to remind men about the earning power of being a sperm donor.

But would receiving £35 per donation make you want to donate sperm? £35 doesn’t sound like much, but this sum is for every visit you make to your Semovo sperm donation clinic. Given that you need to attend multiple times to donate sperm, there is the potential to earn some money, with the bonus of doing some genuine good at the same time by helping others to have a baby.

So let’s look at the facts about sperm donation and ‘getting paid’ for your sperm: £35 is the set compensation amount every sperm donor gets in the UK. Regardless of which clinic you choose to donate your sperm, all HFEA-registered clinics and sperm donor banks are limited to providing this set amount.

No matter how good you think your sperm may be, you’ll only ever receive £35 per visit. This amount isn’t even designed to compensate you for your sperm - it covers you for your time only, and any expenses you might incur such as travelling to and from the clinic.

The reason? To prevent there being any financial motivation to sperm donation. And it works - money isn’t actually the driving factor for sperm donors in the UK, unlike in other countries.

Men donate sperm to Semovo altruistically, purely out of generosity and the desire to help others. It’s not something that’s done on a whim to earn some extra cash. The small amount of limited compensation makes sperm donation a carefully considered act – as it rightly should be.

One which involves screening tests, medical reviews and implications counselling. Thorough processes, but all necessary to ensure that you’re able to be a sperm donor; that your sperm is suitable to be used in treatment and - more importantly - that you’re confident and happy to donate your sperm.

We look forward to providing you with your well-deserved compensation. Why not find out more about the sperm donation process, or read our sperm donation FAQs? If you’re aged 18-45 and would like to apply to be a Semovo sperm donor, we’d love to hear from you. Complete our simple application form in confidence, and we’ll get right back to you, or call our friendly team on 0345 266 1272.