What reasons may cause you to become rejected as a sperm donor?

There can be many reasons why you may not be able to become a sperm donor. If you can answer ‘yes’ to any of the things below, you will not be able to become a sperm donor:

• You have a blood disease or clotting disorder
• You have provided sex for money or drugs
• You have had genital warts
• You inject yourself with medicine for non-medicinal reasons
• You or someone in your family has serious hereditary diseases
• You are or have been a sperm donor at another sperm bank
• You have had sex with another man
• You are a donor-conceived child
• You are adopted

The abovementioned reasons will instantly reject you as a sperm donor. With strict sperm donor requirements in place, there is a list of additional reasons that may disqualify you from becoming a sperm donor:

• Low sperm count or poor motility
• Your age and height
• Mental and physical health
• Being willing to undergo a background check

Find out more about the requirements for becoming a sperm donor here.

Can a sperm donor rejection be temporary?
Sperm donor eligibility is governed by strict medical, genetic, and behavioral criteria to protect the recipient's health and ensure high-quality samples. Temporary rejection means a candidate is ineligible for a limited time due to factors that may resolve. Common temporary reasons include:

• Recent illness or infection (e.g., flu, fever, or sexually transmitted infections) - donation is paused until full recovery and negative test results.
• Recent travel to high-risk areas for infectious diseases like Zika or malaria - deferral typically lasts weeks to months, depending on the incubation window.
• Vaccinations or medications - some vaccines or treatments may require waiting periods before donation can resume.
• Short-term lifestyle risks, such as recent new sexual partners or body modifications (e.g., tattoos or piercings) - usually followed by a 6-12 month deferral for disease screening.