The Sperm Donation Process

Before you begin, take a few moments to read our sperm donor guide and our eligibility criteria above. Once you’ve done that, you can fill out the online application form. It’ll only take a few moments of your time, and it’s the first step to help change someone’s life.

After you’ve completed your application, we’ll email you a family medical history form to fill in. You will need to know, or be able to find out, your biological family’s medical history, including biological children, parents, aunts/uncles and grandparents.

We need to be sure that there is no history of genetic or hereditary diseases in your family that might affect donor-conceived children.

And just like that, step one is complete.

If you meet our criteria, then it’s time to book your implications appointment. This is where we will discuss over the phone what it means to be a donor, what you can expect from the process, review your own and your family’s medical history in detail, and prepare to share it with the doctor, as well as have any questions you may have at this stage answered by a member of our team.

Once your application has been accepted, you’ll be invited to visit us at your chosen Semovo location for an appointment with a member of our team.

It’s here you’ll provide your first semen sample for testing, which allows us to evaluate your sperm count, shape and movement. This is a crucial aspect of what we do, and it will bring you one step closer to becoming a donor. These tests help us ensure your sperm will be suitable for the different types of fertility treatments and be able to withstand freezing and thawing, so only those applicants with the highest quality sperm will be able to proceed.

For those who do not become a Semovo donor, don't be disheartened. Please remember that we’re very selective of our donors and want to ensure we give those looking to use donor sperm the best chances of success.

Once we know that your sperm is suitable for donation, it’s time to speak to our dedicated counsellor and our Semovo doctor. 

Counselling

At this step, you will speak to one of our specialist counsellors via a video call. This is to make sure you fully understand what it means to be a sperm donor. They are always here to listen impartially, with understanding and empathy. We also encourage you to include your partner, if you have one, in the counselling session to discuss what donation means for you as a couple, at a time that is suitable for both of you.

Consultation

Next, you’ll talk to one of our Semovo doctors via video call about your medical history, your family’s medical history, and finally, what is expected of you as a sperm donor.

Screening

Once you have spoken to both the counsellor and the doctor, the next step is your screening appointment. Here, we’ll ask for a urine sample and take some blood for screening, which will be tested for STIs, genetic conditions, and general health checks (such as a full blood count). The doctor will also perform a physical examination at this stage. 

You’ll hear back from us in around two to four weeks with your test results. If anything arises during the screening process, we will notify you and advise on the next steps.

We will start compensating you for your expenses and time from this point, with £35 per visit to the clinic. Additionally, £10 is accrued during each visit, which will be available after your final screening. Please note that we can only provide compensation; we do not pay our donors. The compensation amount is set by our regulator, the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA).

Great news, it’s time to start donating with us!

Before you can start donating, you’ll be asked to sign the HFEA consent forms.

Then you’ll be able to donate your sperm around once a week for about six to twelve months. This allows us to build up a good supply of your sperm to ensure we have enough to help all the patients who choose you as their donor. Your sperm will be used for a maximum of 10 UK families, but it is not restricted to one child per family.

We do everything we can to ensure you are as comfortable as possible. The donation rooms are furnished to ensure you feel at ease. You will blend in at our clinics; other people in our reception areas will not know why you are there.

Your sperm samples will be frozen by one of our reproductive technologists and then placed in quarantine for at least three months, so that we know they are safe to use during treatment. At this point, we’ll also ask you to write some information about yourself for your HFEA registration and your Semovo donor profile.
 

When the first batch of samples has been quarantined for three months, you will be screened again. If your results come back clear, we know the sperm is safe, so that it can be released for use. Congratulations, patients will now be able to choose you as their donor!

As you go through your donation process, you will be rescreened multiple times so more samples can be made available to patients. Three months after your final donation, you’ll be screened one final time to release the remaining samples for use.