We help patients select a sperm donor to help them conceive

Patients at our Tennessee fertility center sometimes need to select a sperm donor. Those who may need donor sperm include men struggling to build a family because of male factor infertility, in addition to single women or lesbian couples trying to become pregnant through ART, or assisted reproductive technology. After helping patients determine if this fertility treatment option is right for their unique needs, we help them navigate the process of sperm donor selection.

Patients can select a sperm donor from a reputable sperm bank

Once patients determine that they’d like to move forward with conceiving using donor sperm, we can connect them with a reputable sperm bank. The process of selecting a donor through a sperm bank involves a series of simple steps.

Registering to view sperm donors. Most sperm banks require patients to complete a simple registration form to view sperm donor profiles. The sperm donors included in the list have all received genetic testing and comprehensive physical exams, including bloodwork and urine analysis. Before acceptance to the donor program, potential donors also undergo a criminal background check.

Perusing donor profiles. The donor profiles include photos of the donors, in addition to information about their education, ethnicity, interests, personality, physical appearance and more.

Testing sperm. Fertility specialists test donor sperm to confirm its quality and ensure it can provide patients with the best possible chance of becoming pregnant.

After our Tennessee fertility center helps patients select a sperm donor, they can begin their fertility treatment plans.

How patients can use donor sperm to conceive

There are two treatments patients can undergo when trying to have a baby using sperm from a donor. The treatment the patient selects will depend on the results from fertility tests, such as bloodwork and ultrasound.

IUI, or intrauterine insemination. This treatment can be a good option for women experiencing unexplained infertility, secondary infertility or a range of other fertility challenges. IUI is also the treatment doctors often recommend for single women or lesbian couples with a healthy reproductive system.

IUI involves the doctor using a catheter to insert sperm from a donor into the uterus of the patient when she is likely ovulating.

IVF, in vitro fertilization. Patients with fertility conditions such as endometriosis or fallopian tube blockages, or those using a gestational surrogate, will need to use IVF when building a family with the support of a sperm donor.

This treatment consists of a female patient, or egg donor, taking medications that cause multiple eggs to grow. After the eggs reach an ideal size, the doctor retrieves them and sends them to the IVF lab, where an embryologist fertilizes them with the donor sperm. The doctor then transfers a resulting embryo into the uterus of the patient or surrogate.

With the support of our Tennessee fertility center, many patients take the next exciting step towards parenthood through IUI or IVF with donor sperm.

Contact us for more information about how to select a sperm donor.