For many people having a child and starting a family is one of their biggest wishes. For some potential parents, factors such as infertility, sexual orientation, and relationship status can slow down the process of getting pregnant. Fortunately, many use the option of treatment with donor sperm to fulfill their dream of parenthood. Continue reading, to learn about the different groups who benefits from treatment with donor sperm.
If you want to read more about sperm donation and fertility treatment, then follow the link to learn about the pros and cons of using a sperm donor.
Who uses donor sperm?
At Cryos, we can divide our private clients into three main groups and to each group there are a different answer to the question; why use a sperm donor?
Single women
An increasing number of single women, both heterosexual and homosexual are using donor sperm to become Single Mothers by Choice (SMBC). Most Single Mothers by Choice are women doing well in their careers, taking pride in their relationship with themselves, and choosing to have a child on their own. In response to this growing trend, more countries now offer fertility treatment for single women.
Same-sex couples
An egg and a sperm cell are required to create a pregnancy. As a result, lesbian couples need help from a sperm donor if they want to maintain a genetic relation between one parent and their child. Like single women, lesbian couples have the option of ordering donor sperm for treatment at home. Home insemination is by far the most popular treatment method for single women and lesbian couples. However, if home insemination does not succeed the next step is treatment at a fertility clinic.
Heterosexual couples
If a heterosexual couple is unable to conceive after a year of trying with normal intercourse, they are considered infertile and recommended to seek help. Approximately 1/3 of every infertility case is caused by male infertility, which many different factors like diseases, lifestyle, or age can cause. If you struggle to conceive, there are plenty of things you can do to increase your chances of getting pregnant with a low sperm count, from changing your lifestyle to beginning fertility treatment. If you are unable to conceive with your own sperm, it is possible to use a sperm donor. Some people also struggle with unexplained infertility, where it is difficult to pinpoint the exact cause of infertility.
At Cryos, we are proud to help everyone achieve the family of their dreams, regardless of their sexual orientation or lifestyle choices. Join our Facebook group "Family Dreams" to connect with others in a similar situation as yourself.
The development in the use of donor sperm
Cryos was established in 1987. The primary clients were men who wanted to freeze their sperm, before undergoing cancer treatment or other medical procedures. Heterosexual couples also needed help conceiving due to male sperm quality and azoospermia. Only a small percentage of customers were lesbian couples and single women.
Today, the demographic of our clients has shifted dramatically and now focuses on the possibility for same-sex couples and single women to get pregnant without having sex. This change corresponds with the increasing development of many different types of families.
Along with this cultural evolution, potential parents have more access to more information about sperm donors. For example; his interests, values and hobbies, his emotional intelligence as well as seeing photos of the donor. An increasing percentage of our clients also want to use a Non-anonymous donor to give their child the opportunity to reach out to the donor after the child reaches adulthood. Despite the preference, the choice between an ID Release and a Non-ID Release Sperm Donor is still a very individual decision and each donor has their own personal reason for their choice. In addition, the country of treatment can also influence the choice, as different countries have different regulations regarding fertility treatment.