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Private donor sperm treatment
- A dedicated in-house team of donor experts
- Lister Fertility Clinic is the UK’s largest private IVF unit
- Over 23,000 babies born with us
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PRIVATE DONOR SPERM TREATMENT AT HCA UK
Why choose us?
Lister Fertility Clinic has run a successful private sperm donor treatment program for many years. Our expert teams offer easy access to private London sperm banks and to international specialist facilities that meet our high standards.
You might choose to use donor sperm because of male fertility problems, if you’re a single woman or if you’re in a same-sex relationship. Whatever your reason is for coming to us for a sperm donation, our dedicated fertility consultants will guide you through every step of the process to ensure the best possible chance of success. From help with pursuing IVF or IUI with private donor sperm to sourcing a private sperm donation, we’re here for you. That includes offering easy pathways into HCA UK’s Alternative Parenting services which open up more routes to parenthood such as surrogacy.
You might choose to use donor sperm because of male fertility problems, if you’re a single woman or if you’re in a same-sex relationship. Whatever your reason is for coming to us for a sperm donation, our dedicated fertility consultants will guide you through every step of the process to ensure the best possible chance of success. From help with pursuing IVF or IUI with private donor sperm to sourcing a private sperm donation, we’re here for you. That includes offering easy pathways into HCA UK’s Alternative Parenting services which open up more routes to parenthood such as surrogacy.
Choosing the right donor is a vital part of this delicate and very personal process, and with HCA UK, you can be reassured you’re in safe hands. We work directly with multiple sperm banks, including: the European Sperm Bank, London Sperm Bank, Cryos International Sperm Bank, Xytex, Whittington Sperm Bank, Fairfax Cryobank and Sussex Sperm Bank.
Using these means you can be confident that the highest possible standards are being met, with donors carefully selected and screened according to strict rules laid out by the British Andrology Society, the British Fertility Society and the HFEA.
To help you make a carefully informed choice, each if these sperm banks offers you comprehensive levels of information about each donor, both in terms of their physical characteristics and personal details.
You can visit each site and explore the typical range of services you can access below:
The European Sperm Bank
London Sperm Bank
Cryos International Sperm Bank
Xytex
Whittington Sperm Bank
Fairfax Cryobank
Sussex Sperm Bank
Using these means you can be confident that the highest possible standards are being met, with donors carefully selected and screened according to strict rules laid out by the British Andrology Society, the British Fertility Society and the HFEA.
To help you make a carefully informed choice, each if these sperm banks offers you comprehensive levels of information about each donor, both in terms of their physical characteristics and personal details.
You can visit each site and explore the typical range of services you can access below:
The European Sperm Bank
London Sperm Bank
Cryos International Sperm Bank
Xytex
Whittington Sperm Bank
Fairfax Cryobank
Sussex Sperm Bank
When you’ve decided on a specific sperm donor, your chosen sperm will usually be sent to us within a week, although in some cases this may take a little longer. Then we’ll be ready to start your treatment.
If you commit to using donor sperm in your fertility treatment, you’ll be required to have a counselling session beforehand. This session is a chance to discuss the implications of using donor sperm, and it focuses on the anonymity regulations in detail so you can be sure you have all the facts before you decide to go ahead.
You should know that since April 2005, identifying information about donors is held on the HFEA Register, so any child born from a donation can get that information if they ask for it, as soon as they’re 18 years old.
If you commit to using donor sperm in your fertility treatment, you’ll be required to have a counselling session beforehand. This session is a chance to discuss the implications of using donor sperm, and it focuses on the anonymity regulations in detail so you can be sure you have all the facts before you decide to go ahead.
You should know that since April 2005, identifying information about donors is held on the HFEA Register, so any child born from a donation can get that information if they ask for it, as soon as they’re 18 years old.
Yes, you can. If you’ve talked to a family member or friend who’s agreed to help you on your fertility journey that’s great and we’re here to help. We’ll ask them to come in and see us for a consultation. They’ll also be asked to go through a very similar screening tests and counselling sessions to an anonymous donor.
The known sperm donor route is a bit of a longer process than using an anonymous sperm donor, taking a minimum of five months. Different costs are also involved.
You can simply email the embryology team if you’d like to know more and we’ll get right back to you.
The known sperm donor route is a bit of a longer process than using an anonymous sperm donor, taking a minimum of five months. Different costs are also involved.
You can simply email the embryology team if you’d like to know more and we’ll get right back to you.
23,000+
babies born with us
10+
dedicated fertility consultants
35+
years since we opened our doors
All in one place
Our main clinic is linked to the HCA UK hospital network, with all tests and procedures carried out onsite
State-of-the-art in-house labs
All necessary tests are expertly processed in our outstanding in-house labs
Exceptional, personalised care
Be looked after in one of the UK’s leading private fertility centres, offering personalised care and a wealth of fertility specialists
HOW THE PRIVATE SPERM DONATION PROCESS WORKS
What to expect
Our team of dedicated fertility specialists are here to guide you through every step of what can be an emotional process. You’ll receive a high level of individual care and support, with clear information and expert guidance at every stage.
We’ll always be available to answer any questions or talk through your options, so you can be confident on your journey to starting a family.
01
Initial consultation
The first stage in the private donor sperm treatment process is an initial consultation with one of our dedicated fertility specialists. They’ll talk to you about your medical history and answer any and all questions you may have. They may recommend some specific tests or examinations to make sure you’re able to receive donor sperm.
02
Counselling
If you use donor sperm to start a family, the process can raise significant emotional and legal implications. It’s important that you get a chance to discuss these with a qualified counsellor so you can be fully prepared and informed before treatment begins. It’s a valuable opportunity to ask questions and explore your feelings and concerns.
03
Screening tests
We want you to have the best possible chance of success. So, before we begin any treatment, we’ll carry out some tests to make sure you’re able to receive donor sperm safely.
We’ll do blood tests to screen for infectious diseases including Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, HIV, Syphilis, Chlamydia, Gonorrhoea, and CMV. Your consultant might also order further screening tests to make sure the donor sperm are suitable.
04
Donor selection
Choosing the right donor is a key decision, for both medical and personal reasons. Your consultant will help you through the process, providing you with a list of sperm banks you can choose donor sperm from and making sure that you have all the relevant consent forms for your upcoming treatment cycle.
If you’ve decided to use a known donor, they’ll talk you through the steps that need to be completed before any treatment can begin and refer you to the embryology team who will talk through the specific known donor pathway.
05
IUI, IVF and surrogacy options
There are three main ways donor sperm can be used to conceive a child. It’s vital to talk these options through with your consultant so you can make a fully informed choice.
The main options are:
IUI (Intrauterine Insemination)
This treatment places the donor sperm directly into the uterus, which is a common option for single women, heterosexual couples and same-sex female couples.
IVF (In Vitro Fertilisation)
This is a process where donor sperm is used to fertilise eggs outside the body, in a laboratory. The embryos that result are then placed in the uterus for a potential pregnancy.
Surrogacy
This is an option for any individuals or couples who cannot carry a pregnancy themselves. Donor sperm are used to fertilise the eggs of a surrogate who’ll then carry the pregnancy.
Bear in mind that if donor sperm is being used with a surrogate, the female patient will need to use their own eggs, as double donation in surrogacy cycles is not legal within the UK.
The law states that when using a surrogate, at least one intended parent needs to have a genetic link to the embryo. So, if you’re using donor sperm, your own eggs need to be used. If you are using donor eggs, as is most common in same sex male couples, your own sperm needs to be used.
Our locations
Where can I have private donor sperm treatment?
You can access our specialist fertility services at several of our leading clinics in London and Buckinghamshire. From initial consultation through to treatment and next steps, you’ll be treated by some of the country’s most respected experts.
Lister Fertility Clinic
Chelsea Bridge Road SW1W 8RH London
Lister Fertility Clinic at The Portland Hospital
First Floor 215 Great Portland Street W1W 5PN London
Lister Fertility Clinic at The Shard
The Shard Outpatients St Thomas Street SE1 9BS London
Lister Fertility Clinic at The Beaconsfield Clinic
Little Hall Barn Windsor End, Beaconsfield HP9 2JW Buckinghamshire
Lister Fertility Clinic at Canary Wharf Outpatients
40 Bank Street Canary Wharf E14 5NR London
Sperm donor treatment FAQs
A sperm donor is a man who provides sperm to help others have children. If you’re single, a same-sex couple or are experiencing male infertility issues using a sperm donor can be a great way to successfully conceive using fertility treatments such as intrauterine insemination (IUI) or in vitro fertilisation (IVF).
A sperm donor might be someone you know. You can also use sperm donor who is unknown to you, using sperm held in a certified lab, tested for health and genetic issues, and safely stored until it’s needed.
A sperm donor might be someone you know. You can also use sperm donor who is unknown to you, using sperm held in a certified lab, tested for health and genetic issues, and safely stored until it’s needed.
Potential sperm donors need to be aged 18-45 years old. They’re asked to complete a detailed health questionnaire and to undergo a range of initial screening and medical tests. This process includes providing a semen sample for analysis and completing several blood and urine tests to screen for diseases.
A private sperm donor’s emotional stability will also be assessed, and they’ll be asked to provide consent for their sperm donation to be used in conception.
Unless the sperm donor is known to you and is making a one-off sperm donation, they’ll be asked to make regular donations at a clinic over a period of a few months.
Some clinics insist on sperm donors having counselling to support them with the emotional aspects of becoming a sperm donor and they may ask for a goodwill message too.
Either way, after the sperm donation is made, sperm is frozen, checked again, and stored for future use in fertility treatments.
A private sperm donor’s emotional stability will also be assessed, and they’ll be asked to provide consent for their sperm donation to be used in conception.
Unless the sperm donor is known to you and is making a one-off sperm donation, they’ll be asked to make regular donations at a clinic over a period of a few months.
Some clinics insist on sperm donors having counselling to support them with the emotional aspects of becoming a sperm donor and they may ask for a goodwill message too.
Either way, after the sperm donation is made, sperm is frozen, checked again, and stored for future use in fertility treatments.
Yes, you can. We have both male and female fertility consultants available, so you can make your appointment with someone you feel comfortable with.
You may however work with several consultants over the course of your fertility treatment, as different consultants will be asked carry out essential tasks, such as egg collection, on different days.
Costs will vary depending on your wider treatments plan and we’re dedicated to being transparent from the start to help take some of the stress out of the fertility process. Get in touch and we can talk you though all your options. You can also take a look at our comprehensive price lists below, which include IVF with donor sperm costs.
The HFEA (Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority) inspects all our clinics to assess their compliance with regulations and standards and gives them a rating. This is to help you choose your clinic based on the quality of its services.
Our Lister Fertility Clinic at The Portland Hospital and The Lister Fertility Clinic both hold a top HFEA inspection rating of 5/5.
Our Lister Fertility Clinic at The Portland Hospital and The Lister Fertility Clinic both hold a top HFEA inspection rating of 5/5.
Our patients’ stories
Jayne's IVF treatment
Jayne had been trying for 10 years to have a baby when she was diagnosed with polycystic ovaries. The Lister Fertility Clinic helped her conceive.
Alice and Aaron's fertility treatment
After being told they’d never have children, Alice and Aaron turned to the Lister Fertility Clinic. They now have a beautiful two-year-old daughter.
“The Lister Fertility Clinic has helped us complete our family and complete ourselves.”
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This content is intended for general information only and does not replace the need for personal advice from a qualified health professional.