IVF using a sperm donor
IVF with donor sperm offers a reliable path to parenthood for those facing fertility challenges, including single women, same-sex couples, and couples experiencing male infertility. This guide provides everything you need - from understanding the IVF process and planning each step on your journey to choosing the right donor.
What is IVF with donor sperm?
IVF with donor sperm involves stimulating your ovaries using fertility drugs to produce multiple eggs, which are then fertilized in a lab with sperm from a donor you’ve chosen. The healthiest embryo is selected for transfer, giving you the best chance of pregnancy. If there are additional quality embryos, they can be frozen for future use, offering more opportunities to grow your family.
Watch our video below where Senior Embryologist at Cryos International, Christodoulos Christodoulou, explains IVF with donor sperm in depth.
Understanding success rates of IVF with donor sperm
Success with IVF using a sperm donor varies significantly based on factors like age, lifestyle, and health. According to The Danish Fertility Society, the success rates for IVF are:
| Age | Under 35 years | 35 - 39 years | 40 - 42 years | 43+ years |
| Success rate per cycle | 51 % | 37 % | 21 % | 9 % |
If you want data from the UK, we recommend visiting the NHS official source of data.
Reciprocal IVF: An option for lesbian couples
Reciprocal IVF, also called "Shared Motherhood", is a unique treatment method for lesbian couples, allowing both partners to be a part of the process. One partner provides the egg, while the other carries the embryo created with donor sperm, allowing both to share a biological connection with their child.
Relevant blog posts for lesbian couples
Let us help you on your journey to parenthood
At Cryos, we give you full access to all donor profiles including pictures, voice recordings, handwritten letters, and more. Just create an online account by providing only your name, email, and country. A Cryos account is free and non-binding.
Who is IVF with donor sperm ideal for?
IVF with donor sperm is an option for different types of people in need of a helping hand on their journey towards parenthood. Here are some examples of people needing IVF with donor sperm:
- Lesbian couples who want to start a family.
- Single women who want a child and struggle with low fertility or have been through multiple rounds of treatment.
- Heterosexual couples struggling with severe male infertility.
- Heterosexual couples where a genetic condition that runs on the male side of the family.
If IVF with donor sperm is right for you, follow the step-by-step guide below.
Guide to begin IVF with donor sperm
If IVF with donor sperm is the right option for you to fulfil your dreams of a child, then follow this guide on how to get started. We cover all steps from planning finances and finding your ideal donor to receiving treatment.
Step 1 - Consider financial planning
IVF is an expensive type of fertility treatment, which makes it important to plan ahead. Research options like insurance coverage, payment plans, or financial assistance programs if available in your country. Some clinics also offer bundled treatment packages that may lower the total treatment cost.
Below is a quick breakdown of the expected costs of IVF with donor sperm in the UK:
- Donor sperm: Begins at EUR 144 per vial (VAT excluded).
- IVF in the UK: The estimated total cost is EUR 3,500.
You should expect IVF with donor sperm to cost at least 3.644 EUR for 1 round of treatment. Follow the link to read about donor sperm costs.
Step 2 - Find a fertility clinic
Choosing the right fertility clinic is a very important part of your fertility journey. We recommend comparing the success rates of different clinics to the national average for IVF with donor sperm and visiting each clinic to talk to nurses and doctors to get an impression. They are going to be your partners on this journey, so it is important to have a good relationship with them.
At Cryos, we work with a wide network of high-quality fertility clinics. Contact us to let our Customer Care Team help you find the right one.
Step 3: Choose your sperm donor
Finding the right sperm donor is an exciting and important part of your journey. At Cryos, you can explore over 1.000 carefully screened donors with more than 10 filters and tools available. Here is an overview of the most popular filters to use:
- Physical characteristics: Filter by visual traits like hair and eye colour, height, and weight.
- Race or ethnicity: Select from diverse backgrounds, including Danish, Caucasian, and more.
- Genetic Matching: Minimize the risk of genetic disease with Genetic Matching.
- Face Matching: Use Face Matching to upload a photo and find a donor with similar facial features.
- Profile types: Choose between Basic and Extended Profiles to read about the donor's hobbies, motivations, voice recordings, and personal messages.
For more help when choosing a donor, follow the links below:
Step 4: Plan your treatment
Undergoing IVF with donor sperm requires some planning. To give you an idea of the process we have outlined it below:
- Fertility medication: Medication stimulates the ovaries, helping multiple eggs mature to increase the chance of successful fertilization.
- Egg retrieval: A fertility doctor retrieves mature eggs with a small needle, typically 36 hours after a trigger shot.
- Fertilization: Donor sperm fertilizes the eggs in a lab dish, starting embryo development.
- Embryo transfer: The strongest embryo is selected and carefully transferred to the uterus to maximize pregnancy chances.
- Pregnancy test: Around two weeks post-transfer, a blood test confirms whether pregnancy was achieved.
Below you will find an image illustrating this process.
An illustration of the proces you go through when receiving IVF treatment
Step 5 - Embark on your journey
Begin your IVF journey with Cryos, with guidance and support at every step. From the first consultation to embryo transfer, Cryos provides resources, emotional support, and expert advice to help you feel confident and cared
Personal stories from couples who received IVF treatment
Follow the links to read some of the stories we received from couples who got their dream of a child fulfilled through IVF with donor sperm:
- Eloise’s story: How using a sperm donor changed her and her marriage
- Using a sperm donor to get pregnant
- Being a dad to a donor-conceived child: I’m lucky to be a father
Resources for people in fertility treatment
Fertility treatment is like a rollercoaster and you will experience a lot of ups and downs. We have tried to help you by creating blog posts relevant to each stage of the process:
Frequently asked questions about IVF with donor sperm
Is IVF better than IUI?
The big difference between IUI and IVF treatment is the egg retrieval process required in IVF. Because fertilization is done outside the uterus, there is a higher chance of pregnancy using IVF treatment, but it is also more invasive than intrauterine insemination.
Follow the link to read more about IUI vs IVF and what the difference actually is.
When is IVF recommended?
IVF is usually recommended when struggling with either male or female infertility, as the treatment method helps to improve the chances of fertilization. The primary recipients of IVF are women with a medical history of female issues and couples struggling with infertility.
What are the risks of IVF?
Some of the most common risks of IVF with donor sperm are; side effects from the medicine like mood swings or headaches, and ectopic pregnancy. Follow the link to read about the risks of sperm donation.