Most people dream of becoming parents at some point in their lives. Studies show that around 1 out of 6 couples experience fertility problems at some point. In approximately 1/3 of cases, infertility is caused by problems with the male reproductive system. Continue reading to learn everything you need to know about male infertility and how using a sperm donor can be a good solution to help fulfil your dreams of parenthood.
What is infertility?
According to WHO, a couple is infertile when they have tried to get pregnant for a year without success. There are three main reasons for infertility:
- Female infertility: 1/3 of infertility cases are caused by a problem with the female reproductive system (low egg quality, fertility diseases, etc.).
- Male infertility: Another 1/3 is caused by problems with the male reproductive system (blockage, low sperm quality, etc.).
- Unknown reasons: The last 1/3 of infertility cases are caused by unknown reasons, where it is not possible to find a cause in the male or female reproductive system.
What is secondary infertility?
Some people experience no signs of infertility when having their first child. However, when trying to create another child, they suddenly struggle to do so and experience what is called secondary infertility. Secondary infertility is just as common as experiencing infertility when trying to become parents for the first time. The causes of primary and secondary infertility are often the same, and so are the treatment options.
Why male infertility occurs
There are several reasons why a man can experience male infertility. However, the most common infertility factor for men is low sperm quality. Sperm quality can be determined by three factors:
- Sperm count: The number of sperm cells in a millilitre of sperm.
- Sperm motility: The number of moving sperm cells in a millilitre of sperm.
- Sperm morphology: The shape of the sperm cells.
Sperm morphology is not as influential on the chances of fertilisation as sperm count and motility.
Your sperm quality can be affected by many different factors such as: an unhealthy lifestyle, a genetic condition, or a blockage caused by a previous infection. Often, it is possible to improve your sperm quality through lifestyle changes. Any changes you have made to your lifestyle may be visible in your sperm quality after three months. If you have tried to improve your lifestyle without any sign of improvement in your sperm quality, there are other treatment options for men with low sperm quality. To determine the exact reason for your fertility problem, we recommend contacting your doctor to undergo a medical examination.
Relevant blog posts about male infertility
Dealing with infertility
Regardless of the reason, infertility can be very emotionally challenging for a couple. The grief of infertility is similar to the regular 5 stages of grief, referred to when experiencing the loss of a loved one. Therefore, it is important not to neglect the feelings experienced during infertility struggles. Even though it can be hard to let people in and talk openly about infertility, you should remember that with 1 out of 6 couples going through this at some point, it is more common than you might think.
Follow the link to read more about the 5 stages of grief and how to deal with infertility.
Breaking down the taboos surrounding infertility
Even though more heterosexual couples need donor sperm to fulfil their dream of a child, there are still taboos surrounding fertility treatment with donor sperm, as they feel ashamed or stigmatised. We have written a blog post about the taboos surrounding heterosexual couples using donor sperm to fulfil their dream of a child, as we hope to promote understanding and make it easier for families to share their stories.
Dealing with the stress of infertility
Infertility is stressful. You have to go through demanding fertility treatment, and take hormones, while all the negative thoughts of not fulfilling your dreams of a child race through your mind. In the TED talk below, you can hear Camille Preston talk about how she and her husband dealt with an uncontrollable challenge. She also shares how good friends became important in overcoming the struggle of dealing with male infertility.
What to do after fertility treatment?
When having fertility treatment with donor sperm, there are two possible outcomes: either you are pregnant, or you need to try again. Depending on the outcome there are different things to do and consider:
What to do if you are still trying to become pregnant?
- Try another type of treatment
- Changing sperm donor
- Ending the treatment cycle
What to do if the pregnancy test was positive?
- Register your pregnancy
- Consider potential siblings
- Enjoy this special time
Treatment options for couples experiencing male infertility
There are many different treatment options for couples experiencing infertility. The treatment method depends on the cause of the problem, as one is best suited for men with conditions affecting their ability to deliver sperm or men struggling with low sperm quality. We always recommend you consult your doctor before deciding on a treatment.
In vitro fertilization (IVF treatment)
In IVF, fertilization occurs in a laboratory outside the body. The goal of IVF is to eliminate most obstacles for the sperm cells, making it a good option for men struggling with low sperm quality.
Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI treatment)
ICSI makes it possible for men with only one healthy sperm cell to become pregnant, as a single sperm cell is injected straight into the egg. As the sperm cell is injected into the egg, all obstacles are removed for the sperm cell, thus improving any chance of fertilisation.
Sperm retrieval
Some men have normal sperm quality, but their reproductive system cannot ensure a safe delivery of the sperm cells, meaning that their ejaculation contains no healthy sperm cells. The sperm cells can either be retrieved through surgery or by inserting a narrow tube in the scrotum, where the sperm cells are stored and matured (epididymis).
Connect with others who experience fertility problems
When experiencing infertility, it can be comforting to share thoughts and experiences with people in the same situation as you. Therefore, we encourage you to contact your doctor to hear if they know of any networks or join our Facebook group 'Family Dreams', where you can talk to others about fertility treatment with donor sperm, and other related topics on the journey towards parenthood.
Cost of using donor sperm to get pregnant
At Cryos, the cost of donor sperm for one round of fertility treatment starts at EUR 144 (VAT not included). This is the price of IVF-ready donor sperm from a Non-ID Release donor with a Basic Profile.
In general, two factors influence the total cost of using a sperm donor to conceive:
- Donor sperm costs: At Cryos, the price per sperm straw varies from EUR 38 to EUR 1.911 (VAT not included). The donor sperm costs depend on your choice of donor and sperm quality.
- Price of fertility treatment: The fertility treatment costs vary significantly from country to country and clinic to clinic. In general, intrauterine insemination (IUI) is less invasive and therefore less expensive than in vitro fertilization (IVF).
We recommend that you research the fertility clinics close to you, to create an overview of the total cost of fertility treatment at each clinic.
Before you begin treatment, we also recommend that you research whether you are eligible for fertility treatment in the public healthcare system, as this often helps reduce the total cost of using a sperm donor.
Treatment with donor sperm
If you struggle with male infertility and have tried multiple rounds of treatment without a successful pregnancy test, you may need to consider using a sperm donor. There are also other options such as adoption or co-parenting, but when using a sperm donor your partner maintains the genetic relation to your child.
Telling your friends and family about fertility treatment can be difficult, as the subject is often stigmatised. To help you, we have created this guide on how to tell your friends and family about going through fertility treatment.
Intrauterine insemination (IUI treatment) with donor sperm
One of the most popular treatment options with donor sperm is IUI, as it is less invasive and expensive than IVF. In IUI treatment with donor sperm, a fertility doctor inserts the sperm into the uterus using a small plastic needle. From there, the sperm travels to the egg where fertilisation hopefully occurs.
In vitro fertilization (IVF treatment) with donor sperm
IVF with donor sperm is often used if the woman has low fertility or has struggled with reproductive disorders in the past. In general, IVF is more expensive and invasive than IUI, as the eggs must be retrieved before fertilization can occur.
Things to consider before choosing artificial insemination with donor sperm
At Cryos, you can choose donors with a Basic or Extended Donor Profile and donors with or without the possibility of future contact (ID Release or Non-ID Release Sperm Donor). In some countries, it is determined by law whether to use one or the other option. Therefore, we recommend researching your country’s legislation before choosing a donor.
Choosing a sperm donor
Choosing a sperm donor as a heterosexual couple may feel a bit overwhelming, as there may be a lot of emotions involved. Therefore, it is important to discuss whether you want to prioritize their personality or physical appearance and whether your child should be able to contact the donor in the future. Some heterosexual couples choose a sperm donor with a physical resemblance to the future father. Follow the link to our guide on how to choose a sperm donor.
How to tell your child about the donor
As a heterosexual couple, it is important to consider whether or how to tell your child about their origin story. It may be tempting to try and keep your child's origin a secret, as it would be the easiest solution. However, studies suggest that donor-conceived children benefit from honesty. Therefore, we recommend being honest from the start and incorporating the sperm donor as a natural part of their childhood. Follow the link to read Emma's story, her relationship with her father, and how she experienced being donor-conceived.
Do you want more children in the future?
If you dream of more children conceived with donor sperm, you may benefit from making a reservation as soon as you get pregnant. By making a reservation of donor sperm for later use, you can use the same sperm donor for future treatments, and your children will then be genetic siblings.
Personal stories about couples using a sperm donor
At Cryos, we are grateful to be able to help bring babies into the world. Below you can read a few of the heart-warming messages, we have received from couples who have had help to overcome male infertility by using donor sperm.
- Being a dad to a donor-conceived child: I’m lucky to be a father
- Toyah and her husband had three children thanks to a sperm donor
Resources for couples experiencing infertility
If you want to read more about couples experiencing infertility and how to proceed with fertility treatment, then follow the links below:
Frequently asked questions about donor sperm for infertility
What are the most common causes of male infertility?
Male infertility is often caused by low sperm quality, as an unhealthy lifestyle has affected the sperm quality. However, it is possible to improve your fertility through a lifestyle change. A more balanced and healthy diet, while exercising a couple of times a week can make a difference for some. For others, the problem is not their lifestyle, but their genetics. In these cases, donor sperm is a great option for overcoming infertility and becoming parents.
Can you fix male infertility?
In some cases, yes. If your sperm quality is low because of your lifestyle, it is possible to improve it. In other cases, you need help from a sperm donor to fulfil your dream of a child. Follow the link to read advice on how to improve your sperm quality through food.
Is male infertility common?
Infertility is a common problem for heterosexual couples, and during the last decade, more have needed fertility treatment to conceive. In around 33% of infertility cases, the problem is caused by the male reproductive system.
Can you use donor sperm for male infertility?
Yes, it is possible to use fertility treatment with donor sperm to help families struggling with male infertility. Verena and Enrico fulfilled their dream of a family by using donor sperm, follow the link to read their story.