Sperm donors are a rare breed. In fact, on average, only about 5% of all applicants meet the requirements to donate. Though it’s not easy to become a sperm donor, it is rewarding for those who qualify. This article will help you better understand the process so you can reap the benefits.
How to Become a Sperm Donor
Phoenix Sperm Bank is looking for men healthy men between the ages of 18 and 39 to join our donor program. To apply, follow the process outlined below.
- Set your expectations. Before donating, you must go through a rigorous screening process that can take several visits and up to three weeks to complete, so don’t expect an immediate decision.
- Fill out our online questionnaire. PSB’s detailed questionnaire includes dozens of questions covering your family, medical, and sexual history. This includes medical questions about your extended family, too, including parents, siblings, grandparent, aunts and uncles, and cousins going back several generations. We ask these questions to determine whether you have genetic diseases running in your family. For example, if there is a history of sickle cell anemia or cystic fibrosis in your family, you will not be able to donate. Other questions cover topics as diverse as allergies, all the places in the world you’ve visited or lived, whether you’ve been in the armed services, if you have tattoos, and whether you’ve been exposed to radiation, among many others. It can take between 30 and 60 minutes to complete the application.
- Submit a semen sample. After you submit your donor application, you will schedule a visit to our office to provide a semen specimen for professional analysis. Our clinic is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. This test determines the overall health of your sperm. This initial sample will be destroyed after analysis and after you are notified of the results. Please note that this initial sample is for testing purposes only, so you will not be paid for it.
- Get a physical exam. Once your semen sample is approved, you will return to our clinic for a free physical exam. This will include blood, urine, and genetic testing to screen for HIV, Hepatitis A and C, and other infectious diseases.
I Passed! Now What?
Once you sign a contract, you can begin making regular deposits. But one more step remains. Your first semen samples are frozen for six months to ensure they are viable. If they are still good after thawing, you will be eligible to be a regular donor. It’s important to realize that many sperm don’t survive the freezing process, so passing the initial exams does not guarantee you will qualify as a long-term donor. But if your samples are good following the thawing process, you will be asked to donate at least once a week, or between 6 and 10 samples per month.
Semen donation only happens at our clinic; it cannot be done at home. Men are given a private room where they deposit their sample into a sterile container. It is then frozen using liquid nitrogen. Then, once it’s needed, it is thawed and used by our clients for artificial insemination.
Once you join our program, you will earn $100 for each donation, and you can donate up to three times per week. You can also earn an extra $500 each time you refer someone who qualifies to be a donor. And that can really add up!
Learn More About Becoming a Sperm Donor
Becoming a sperm donor isn’t quick and easy, but there are many benefits. Along with earning up to $1,500 per month, you can help others reach their dreams of having children. And with donor sperm currently in short supply, donors are needed more than ever.
If you’re interested in becoming a sperm donor, start by applying online now. Or, if you have questions, contact us at cs@seattlespermbank.com or (602) 888-7255 to talk with one of our experts.
