Four questions to ask when choosing a sperm bank

If you want to give birth to a baby, you have to get pregnant. For many couples this is straightforward, but for others it can be more challenging for a variety of health issues.

For people who have difficulty conceiving, sperm banks can be a vital part of the pregnancy journey. With that said, it’s worth keeping in mind that not all sperm banks are created equal. What’s more, many people don’t know what to look for in a sperm bank beyond the basics.

Given the time, energy, and expense it takes to take the sperm bank route, it’s vital that parents-to-be make the right decision. With that in mind, we thought it’d be a good idea to put together a list of questions to ask when assessing your options. If you can answer ‘yes’ to all of the following, then you’ll likely have found the right option.

Do They Have a Large Selection of Donors?

You don’t just want a sperm donor. You want the right sperm donor. Some sperm banks only have a limited pool of options, which can make it difficult — or impossible — to find one that matches the criteria that you’re looking for.

The best sperm banks have a large selection of donors, and make finding the perfect match as easy as possible via a filterable catalogue. That means you can see all the potential donors that match your requirements within seconds.

Do They Have Strict Donor Measures In Place?

The quality of the donor sperm will directly influence the health of your future baby. The best sperm banks have strict donor measures in place, which means they only accept sperm from donors that meet their stringent requirements. When you choose donor sperm from London Sperm Bank, for instance, you’re not just choosing a sperm donor; you’re choosing from one of the less than 1% of donor applicants that were accepted into their programme. That can give you confidence that you’re receiving sperm from a healthy and reliable individual.

Do they Have Proven Success Rates?

Sperm banks that are unwilling to share information about their success rates should be avoided. The best ones are more than happy to share, because they know that they demonstrate a commitment to quality care.

You don’t need to just take a sperm bank’s word for it. HFEA (Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority), the UK’s fertility regulator, publishes information about the sperm bank success rates in the UK. If the sperm bank’s rate exceeds that, then you’ll know that you’re working with one of the better sperm banks in the country.

Are The Costs Reasonable?

Fertility treatment can be expensive, so it’s important to find a sperm bank that offers its services at affordable rates.

It’s best to look beyond the cost of the sperm sample itself, and check whether there are any additional costs. All too often, would-be parents are drawn in by the sticker price, only to find that there are expensive shipping, family slot, and admin fees that quickly drive the cost up by hundreds of pounds. It’s generally best to go with an “all-in” cost sperm bank, since that will make it easier to plan costs and ensure you’re not hit by unexpected fees.