Overview of Sperm Donation
Every couple wishes to expand their family after a certain period, and the majority of them succeed with no external help. However, some couples are not fortunate enough, and for them, conceiving gets challenging because of infertility. According to estimates, around 10–15 percent of couples in India are suffering from infertility issues. To deal with this situation and help couples, sperm donation has come up as a glimmer of light. It is a process where a screened donor donates his sperm/semen to be used for artificial insemination or other relevant fertility treatments.
What is sperm donation?
Fertility clinics and sperm banks collect samples of sperm from selected donors to use for artificial insemination now or in the present or future. This is called sperm donation. When infertile couples are incapable of conceiving, two methods are used: IVF (In Vitro Fertilisation) & IUI (Intra Uterine Insemination). These methods use donated sperm to fertilise the egg and make a baby. When the male partner's sperm count is negligible or low, or he is suffering from a genetic disease that he does not want to pass on to his children, or when a single woman or a woman with a lesbian partner wants to expand her family, she seeks the assistance of sperm donation.
- Specialists inseminate the donated semen in the woman’s uterus directly, this process is called artificial insemination.
- Alternatively, in a lab, they combine the donated sperm with the woman's egg to create an embryo, which is then implanted in the woman's uterus.
Choosing the Right donor
As per the legal guidelines implemented by Indian laws, a sperm donor has to be at least 21 years old to donate his sperm. Sperm banks conduct the majority of sperm donations.
Listed below are some criteria to consider when selecting a donor.
- A comprehensive test is conducted before choosing a donor. Not just the quality of his sperm is checked, but his entire body’s medical checkup is done to look for any communicable diseases, genetic problems, psychological issues, etc
- Individuals over the age of 21 and under the age of 55
- Healthy individuals with the highest sperm count
Sperm donors can be known as well as anonymous. Some couples choose a known person as their donor.
Why is sperm donation performed?
Sperm donation is a discerning and selective procedure. The biggest reason for sperm donation is to build families. Couples and single women who aren't fortunate enough to make their own babies are benefited by the donation of sperm. The donated sperms are used as a means of artificial fertilisation through which the couple gets pregnant and has babies.
Sperm donation is conducted for the following reasons,
- Male infertility problems: when the man has a very low sperm count
- Oligospermia: A lack of sperm in the ejaculate.
- Asthenozoospermia: A condition in which sperm movement is slowed and it is unable to swim in order to fertilise the egg.
Benefits
There are a lot of misconceptions about sperm donation, and people often run from this topic. However, sperm donation is a generous act and has many benefits, including the following:
- You help unfortunate couples, single mothers, and lesbian couples create their families
- Donating sperm is a healthy process, and masturbating regularly can help you remain strong and happy. It also protects you from male incontinence, has strong immunity, and strengthens your muscles
- It is not actually sperm donation as you are compensated for donating your sperm each time
- You get to know about your health status and your family’s medical history because of the comprehensive medical checkups
Risks and complications
From a health perspective, donating sperm poses no risks or complications for the donor. However, there are a few social disadvantages and psychological drawbacks. Today, organisations, governments, and individuals are all working hard to make sperm donation a respectable practice; however, the donor must still face the consequences, bullies, and societal pressure for being a sperm donor.
The success rate of sperm donation
Women under 35 who have no fertility issues have the best chance of conceiving and becoming mothers using the artificial insemination (IVF) method. This rate is 70–80%. Once the woman crosses the age of 35, this rate decreases to 35%.
Conclusion
Sperm donation is an invaluable present to create new life. Because of it, couples with infertility issues can have babies. If you feel you can be a potential donor or you are suffering from infertility and not able to conceive. Immediately visit Apollo Fertility, Navi Mumbai, Mumbai. Apollo Fertility, Navi Mumbai takes care of the end-to-end process of sperm donation and uses it for various fertility-related research and treatment. With its excellent treatment outcomes for fertility treatments (IVF and IUI),
Apollo Fertility, Borivali, Mumbai
Call 1860 500 4424 to book an appointment.
Below is a list of a few common tests that are needed, • HIV • Hepatitis B & C • Human T-lymphotropic virus (HTVL) • Spinal Muscular Dystrophy • Cystic Fibrosis • Semen analysis, etc
Donating sperm is completely legal. Even if you have a biological relationship with the child, you will never have a right to the child.
To help couples and single women create and build families, sperm donation is conducted.
No, certain protocols are followed at the clinics and sperm banks, which are mandatory to follow. Collecting the sample at home increases the risk of contamination.
Treatments
