Being a part of a sperm donation process is a great responsibility. Not all men can be sperm donors, so you should be aware of a few steps and the screening process that will be performed on the potential candidates. You should also get informed on a few elimination criteria, and ask the following questions:
1. Can You Donate if Someone in Your Family Has a Genetic Disease?
Genetic diseases may be transmitted in the family, so even if you are not affected by that disease, you may be a carrier of such a disease and are not a good candidate for sperm donation.
2. Which Are the Genetic Diseases that Won't Allow Sperm Donation?
There are multiple genetic diseases that will not allow you to become a sperm donor. There diseases may include:
- Autoimmune disorders such as multiple sclerosis
- Diabetes
- Obesity
- Mental retardation
- Heart disease
- Cancer
- Hemophilia and other blood clotting disorders
- Cystic fibrosis
- Tay Sachs disease (TSD)
3. Can You Donate if Someone in Your Family Has HIV or an Infectious Disease?
If someone in your family has HIV or other infectious diseases, such as hepatitis, you may donate sperm. However, you must make sure that you are not affected by HIV or hepatitis. Some sperm banks may reject you if a relative has HIV.
4. What Medical Tests Will You Take?
You will be required to take several tests prior to being accepted as sperm donor. Blood tests and urine tests, to establish if you have any blood disorders or sexually transmitted diseases, will be carried out. An HIV test will be performed before you are accepted and one more after 6 months.
A psychological examination will also be necessary. Your body and reproductive system will be consulted. You will also have to answer some questions regarding your medical history, as well as the medical history of your parents, grandparents and siblings to find any potential genetic diseases.
5. Do You Need to Take Any Medication?
You should get informed if you should take any medication prior to donating sperm. Typically, there will be no special requirements for medication treatment, but some banks may recommend that you take some vitamin supplements before donating.
6. How Often Can You Donate?
Technically, you may donate daily or once every 24 hours; however, there are regulations that won't allow you to donate more often than once every 6 weeks. The bank may not require too much sperm from the same donor, so you may be refused if you want to donate more often than twice per year.
7. What Will Happen to the Sperm?
You should always ask what will happen to the sperm after it is donated. Most often it will be given to fertilize eggs, but the sperm may also be used in different researches.
