Donor Sperm
A variety of reasons lead patients to choose donor sperm insemination when trying to get pregnant.
It is estimated that nearly fifteen percent of couples will experience infertility problems and as many as 40% of these cases are due to infertility in the male patient. In the case of either an infertile male partner, a single woman who wants to have a child, or a lesbian couple; donor sperm insemination is a viable option for pregnancy.
The process of donor sperm insemination is most often performed using a technique called uterine insemination. After a sperm sample is washed in the laboratory and prepared for transfer, a small catheter is placed into the vagina and through the cervix through which the sperm can be injected directly into the uterus.
Some of the reasons patients consider donor insemination may include:
-A woman who does not have a male partner
-Male partner has no viable sperm
-Male partner with a extremely low sperm count or poor sperm morphology
-Male partner has a genetic defect that could be passed on to the baby
-Male partner has infectious disease
The success rate of donor sperm insemination varies, depending on the patient. It is suggested that patients attempt at least three-to-four insemination cycles to ensure an adequate opportunity to get pregnant.
According to the American Society for Reproductive Medicine, the success rates of donor sperm insemination depend on many factors including, “the female age and the presence of other female fertility factors such as endometriosis, tubal disease, or ovulatory dysfunction.” Women who are under age 35 and who have no history of fertility problems have the best chance of becoming pregnant using donor sperm.
Patients can use someone they know as their sperm donor or they can choose an anonymous donor. Either way, there are federal regulations in place that ensure the highest standards in screening potential donors. All donors are tested for transmissible diseases such as HIV, hepatitis B and C, syphilis, gonorrhea, chlamydia as well as their blood type. After initial testing, donor sperm is quarantined for six months. Donors are then retested for infectious diseases and must be negative before their sperm can be used for insemination. Anonymous donor sperm is ordered from a sperm bank by the patient and sent to our clinic for use.
Before proceeding with donor sperm insemination, our doctors will make clear all of your options, discuss the entire process with you, and help you locate the sperm donor candidate that is ideal for your situation.
If you have questions about donor sperm insemination or if you think you are experiencing infertility, call us at 303-321-7115 or contact us by email.
(11/1/2011)
