If you’re looking for a sperm donor and researching sperm banks, you may read that sperm donors have ‘health screening’ as part of the sperm donation process.
But what does this mean exactly? And what are we testing our sperm donors for?
Why sperm donor health screening is good news for you
Sperm donor health screening protects your health and that of your future child. It means that the sperm we offer you is safe for your use. Your Semovo sperm donor has been tested and is clear of sexually transmitted infections and serious diseases or conditions that could pose a health risk to you and any child you have.
Why using a licensed sperm bank is so important
Health screening is a mandatory part of the process when men donate to licensed sperm banks. It’s why we can guarantee you safe donor sperm.
But no health rules apply for sperm donations carried out through unregulated means. It’s why finding a sperm donor through private arrangement, a personal ad or a ‘matching’ site isn’t advised.
Semovo sperm donor health checks: Genetic and medical assessment
Semovo sperm donor medical checks are a thorough process. In addition to health testing, all sperm donors have a medical review with one of our doctors where we examine family medical history as far back as grandparents.
If there’s any evidence of inherited serious medical conditions within the family, then the donor will not be accepted as a Semovo sperm donor.
Sperm donor screening: What we test for
At Semovo we perform genetic screening as well as testing for diseases and sexually-transmitted infections, in accordance with the HFEA’s strict screening guidelines.
We test for:
- Cystic Fibrosis
- Karyotype testing to check for chromosome abnormalities
- Blood-related hereditary conditions such as Sickle Cell Anaemia and Tay Sachs
- HIV 1 and 2
- Hepatitis B and C
- HTLV I and II
- Syphilis
- Gonorrhoea
- Chlamydia
- Cytomegalovirus
Our sperm donors are re-screened every six months for specific conditions and again before all their samples are released for use.
What if a sperm donor has an existing medical condition? Are they still allowed to donate?
If a sperm donor is on regular medication for a medical condition or has a history of a condition, we always seek clarification from their GP as to the nature of the condition, before accepting the applicant as a Semovo sperm donor.
Would a sperm donor ever just withhold health information?
Withholding health information may be an issue if there was high financial reward for donating, but this is one of the reasons sperm donor compensation is set to £35 expenses per donation in the UK. As an altruistic act, there is no financial motivation to deceive.
Semovo sperm donors also sign a declaration stating that they accept responsibility for the information they provide to us, and that they understand that if they don’t declare anything relevant, they are legally liable.
The implications of this declaration are carefully explained to potential donors by our team, along with the importance of the consent forms they must complete to become sperm donors with us.
Safe donor sperm with Semovo
Secure safe donor sperm for your fertility treatment with Semovo. Just tell us what you’re looking for and we’ll find you the best sperm donor matches, with donor sperm delivered direct to your clinic for your convenience.