Some people are unable to conceive on their own and need a little help to become parents. For some, receiving help from a sperm donor can be the right solution. Below, we take you through the process of getting pregnant with donor sperm.
Why use a sperm donor to get pregnant?
The three main groups who benefit from sperm donation are:
Each group has different reasons for using donor sperm. Follow the links to read more about their options and what to consider when using a sperm donor.
3 steps on your journey toward parenthood
Even though no journey towards parenthood is the same, most people in fertility treatment go through the same steps. Below, you can read a detailed description of each step and what to be aware of.
1. Choose your treatment type and location
The first thing you must do is choose a location for your treatment. Most lesbian couples and single women without a history of fertility problems begin their journey with home insemination. However, if you have already tried to conceive through intercourse or home insemination, we recommend contacting a doctor before you choose your treatment.
There are four different types of fertility treatment. Home insemination is by far the most popular in the US because it is non-invasive and performed at home. Read more about each treatment type below or see the illustration for a step-by-step guide to each treatment type.
More information about home insemination
Different fertility treatments
Intra-cervical insemination: In ICI, sperm is injected into the cervix using a small plastic needle. From there, it travels to the uterus where fertilization hopefully occurs. ICI performed at home is referred to as home insemination. It is important to track your ovulation before ICI treatment, as it helps to increase chances of success.
Intrauterine insemination: In IUI treatment, sperm is injected into the uterus using a plastic syringe. As a result, IUI must be performed at a fertility clinic by a healthcare professional.
Many people start with ICI or IUI, follow the link to read about ICI vs IUI and what separates them from each other.
In vitro fertilization: If no pregnancy is achieved through ICI or IUI, the next step is often IVF as it is more complex and invasive. During IVF, the eggs are retrieved and fertilized with sperm cells in a petri dish. If the eggs develop into high-quality blastocysts, they are transferred to the uterus of the woman carrying the pregnancy.
Follow the link to read about IUI vs IVF and what separates each procedure from the other.
Intracytoplasmic sperm injection: ICSI is a variation of IVF, where an embryologist injects a single sperm cell into the extracted eggs, removing all obstacles for the sperm cell. Hopefully, an embryo forms, which then is transferred back into the woman’s uterus.
2. Choose a sperm donor
Once you have a treatment plan, you can begin your search for a donor. At Cryos, you have free access to many donors with different Sperm Donor Profiles. Sperm donors with a Basic Profile only contain essential information such as eye color and blood type, while donors with an Extended Profile contain much more information, such as a detailed description of the donor's personality and looks. All Extended Profiles contain pictures of the sperm donor either Adult Photos or pictures of the donor as a child.
When using a donor from a sperm bank, you will not know the identity of the donor, and the donor will not know or be a part of your child’s life. If you choose an ID Release sperm donor your child can contact Cryos to receive their donor's contact information after turning 18. Follow the link to read more about ID Release and Non-ID Release Donors.
We understand the process of choosing a donor and how difficult it may seem to get started. You are always welcome to contact our Customer Care for guidance or follow the link to our guide on choosing a sperm donor.
Why choose a sperm donor from Cryos?
At Cryos, we would be honored to help you on your way to parenthood. We have more than 35 years of experience with cryopreservation of sperm, and we have highly skilled employees working to ensure high-quality donor sperm – all the way from donation to delivery at your home or fertility clinic.
- Our dedicated Customer Care Team is ready to help and support you on your journey.
- We collaborate with professional fertility clinics all over the world.
- You can get free access to see all donor profiles with Cryos.
- You have the option to get access to adult photos of our donors.
3. Order the donor sperm and complete the insemination
When you have decided on the treatment type and find the perfect donor, you can continue the process by ordering the donor sperm. If you plan to use home insemination, place the order through our Sperm Donor Search. When receiving treatment at a fertility clinic, some clinics offer to place the order for you, while others encourage you to do it yourself. Always consult your doctor before placing the order.
Once the order is confirmed, you can proceed to plan the date for the insemination. If you are going to receive treatment at a fertility clinic, they will plan the date for you, but if you are going to use home insemination, you are in charge of planning. We recommend tracking your ovulation for a couple of months before placing an order, to get familiar with your cycle. Once you are ready, plan to perform the insemination during ovulation to improve your chances of getting pregnant.
The cost of treatment with donor sperm
The cost of donor sperm depends on various factors like demand and availability, MOT, type of profile, and the amount of information you want about the donor.
Learn more about the cost of donor sperm at Cryos here.
Different types of sperm
There are two different types of sperm: ICI and IUI. The difference between IUI and ICI is whether the ejaculation contains natural fluids or not. ICI sperm still contains all the natural fluids, whereas IUI does not. Most fertility clinics prefer IUI sperm, whereas both ICI and IUI sperm can be used for home insemination.
| Procedure | Recommendation |
| Home insemination | 2 x ICI/IUI straw MOT10 or higher |
| IUI | 1 x IUI straw MOT10 or higher |
| IVF | 1 x IUI straw MOT5 or higher |
| ICSI | 1 x IUI straw MOT5 or higher |
We are here to help
Speak with one of our Customer Care representatives today to answer any questions you have about the amount of donor sperm to order. Reach us via phone at (407) 203-1175, email us at [email protected], or chat with us during regular operating hours through this website.