Donor sperm

At City Fertility, we are proud to offer Australia’s largest and most diverse selection of donor sperm through our partnership with Addam Donor Bank. We have sperm donors from various ethnic backgrounds, available right now with no wait lists, so you can achieve your dream of having a family sooner.

We understand that choosing to use donated sperm is a significant and deeply personal decision, and one that requires a lot of support. That’s why our fertility specialists, nurses and the Donor Patient Services Team will support you every step of the way. Our counsellors will help you understand the legalities and implications of using donor sperm, to ensure you feel confident and informed.

From your first consultation to selecting a donor and starting treatment, we’re here to guide and support you.

 

 

Who should consider donor sperm?

Donated sperm is required by couples and individuals for several reasons, including:

  • Heterosexual couples who cannot fall pregnant due to male infertility.
  • Single people who wish to achieve pregnancy without a partner.
  • Same-sex couples who wish to start a family.

If you are considering starting your fertility journey using donor sperm, book a consultation with one of our fertility specialists and start the process.

 

Treatment options using donor sperm

Donor Insemination (DI)

Donor Insemination using donor sperm is a fertility procedure where washed and concentrated sperm is inserted directly into a recipient’s uterus at the time of ovulation to increase the possibility of conceiving. Donor insemination usually involves the use of frozen sperm from a donor. The method of artificial insemination most commonly used is Intra-Uterine Insemination (IUI).

IUI is not suitable for everyone – its success depends on several factors, including the recipient’s age, the presence of endometriosis, and whether there are any tubal blockages or damage. A fertility specialist will assess your individual circumstances to determine if IUI with donor sperm is the right option for you.

 

In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF)

The process of In Vitro Fertilisation using donor sperm involves fertilising an egg with donated sperm outside the body in a specialist incubator. After several days the fertilised egg, which is now an embryo, is transferred back into the recipient’s uterus. The whole process, up to the embryo transfer stage, usually takes around three to four weeks.

Your specialist will discuss your IVF treatment cycle with you. The treatment type usually depends on an individual’s medical history,  age, diagnosis and other related fertility factors.

 

Genetic Carrier Screening

City Fertility strongly recommends that all patients accessing donor gametes through ADDAM Donor Bank complete expanded genetic carrier screening or genetic counselling. This important step helps recipients to understand any potential risks and implications of their selected donors’ carrier status.

Expanded carrier screening results must be returned before selecting a donor. If you would like more information, your fertility specialist can explain genetic carrier screening to you.

 

How does the donor sperm process work?

1. Download Addam Donor Bank

Download the Addam Donor Bank app or visit Addam Donor Bank’s website to browse Australia’s largest selection of clinic recruited sperm donors. You can search our donors and shortlist potential matches.

You can download the app now on the App Store or Google Play Store.

2. Appointment with a City Fertility fertility specialist

After exploring potential donors, it’s time to book an appointment with one of our fertility specialists. At your initial appointment, we’ll discuss the donor sperm process and your medical history to create your personal treatment plan. Your specialist may request routine fertility blood tests and will discuss your genetic testing. City Fertility strongly recommends that all patients accessing donor sperm complete expanded carrier screening.

3. Register

Once you have a treatment plan, our Patient Services Team will send you a patient registration form to complete and return.

4. Get your cost quote and e-learning

You will now receive a detailed donor sperm cost quote and our e-booklet to guide you through the donor sperm process so you are fully informed and confident in the process.

5. Reserve your donor

With your registration complete and treatment plan confirmed, you can now submit your reservation preferences for up to three donors. Please ensure your selected donors are suitable for your treatment type (e.g. Donor Insemination or IVF). Our donor team will work with you to review your preferences to reserve a single donor. Please note that from your reserved donor, you can order one or two vials of sperm, and one vial is used per cycle.

If you have completed genetic testing, you can only reserve a donor once the results have been returned. Results can take up to six weeks.

6. Counselling

Australian law requires all donor sperm recipients to complete two counselling sessions with an ANZICA-accredited counsellor. These specialist counsellors are trained in infertility and understand the emotional, ethical and legal complexities of donor conception.

7. Begin Treatment

Once all the steps are completed and your documents returned, you’re now ready to commence your treatment with either donor insemination or IVF.

*The order of these steps/requirements may vary depending on your circumstances.

 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about using donor sperm

How much does donor sperm treatment cost?

The cost of donor sperm depends on the donor selected, and costs start at $1500. For more information, please contact our Fertility Advice Centre or refer to our costs page: Fertility Treatment and IVF Costs | City Fertility

What are the types of donors?

Known donor

A known donor is someone with whom you have an existing relationship and who has agreed to donate their sperm. This could be a friend, relative or family member.

Clinic-recruited donor

When a donor voluntarily donates their sperm to an unknown recipient, this is called a clinic-recruited donation. Clinic-recruited sperm donors have undertaken counselling and fully understand the legalities and implications of being a donor.  You can also rest assured knowing the quality of the sperm has been thoroughly checked. This includes medical screenings to exclude transmittable and genetic diseases, including a three-month quarantine for sperm donation. A limit is also placed on the offspring that can result from each donor.

Clinic-recruited sperm donors have undertaken counselling and fully understand the legalities and implications of being a donor.  You can also rest assured knowing the quality of the sperm has been thoroughly checked. This includes medical screenings to exclude transmittable and genetic diseases, including a three-month quarantine for sperm donation. A limit is also placed on the offspring that result from each donor.

Who can donate sperm?

Individuals of all shapes, sizes and backgrounds are welcome to become sperm donors if they meet these criteria:

  • Aged between 18 – 45 years
  • Have a healthy BMI
  • Are able to provide a detailed medical history for themselves and also for their extended family
  • Complete expanded genetic carrier screening

Clinic-recruited sperm donors with a student, working holiday or temporary working visas will not be accepted to the program. Donors with temporary resident visas may be accepted to the program if they meet the above requirements

What are the treatment options available for people using donor sperm?

Donor Insemination (DI)

Donor Insemination using donated sperm is a fertility procedure where washed and concentrated sperm is inserted directly into a recipient’s uterus at the time of ovulation to increase the possibility of conceiving. Donor insemination usually involves the use of frozen sperm from a donor. The method of artificial insemination most commonly used is Intra-Uterine Insemination (IUI).

 In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF)

The process of In Vitro Fertilisation involves fertilising an egg with donated sperm outside the body in a specialist incubator. After several days the fertilised egg, which is now an embryo, is transferred back into the recipient’s uterus. The whole process, up to the embryo transfer stage, usually takes around three to four weeks.

Your specialist will discuss your IVF treatment cycle with you. The treatment type usually depends on an individual’s medical history, age, diagnosis and other related fertility factors.

What is the quarantine period for donor sperm?

A three-month quarantine period applies to all clinic-recruited sperm donors.

All sperm donors are tested for infectious diseases before donations commence. The donated sperm from a known donor must be stored for a quarantine period of three months before release for use by the recipient. At the end of the quarantine period, all sperm donors are rechecked for the following transmissible viruses.

What are the legal implications of donor sperm?

City Fertility encourages all individuals/couples to seek independent legal advice before attending the donor program. Please visit our Legalities and Requirements page for more information.

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