Donor Sperm

Sperm donation is used to achieve pregnancy in conjunction with other fertility treatments such as Intra-uterine Insemination (IUI) or In-vitro Fertilisation (IVF).

We will help you to choose the donor sperm, which will then be stored until it is ready for use during your treatment. As there are no sperm banks in Ireland, the frozen sperm will be imported from approved international sperm banks.

When is donor sperm required?

Using donor sperm is a major decision and the woman/couple should take time before to consider the option in detail before making a decision.

There are a number of cases where treatment using donor sperm is an option, including:

  • Single women
  • Same sex couples (lesbian)
  • Cases where the male partner does not produce sperm or it is extremely unlikely to result in a successful pregnancy
  • Cases where the male partner has a genetic condition which could be transmitted to offspring

What is the process for using donor sperm?

The woman/couple will attend an initial appointment with our fertility specialist, where we will take your history and discuss your options with you. We may arrange certain tests & investigations to decide which is the most suitable treatment (e.g. IUI, IVF/ICSI).

Followup appointments with our medical or nursing team or are often required by many patients. All patients are required to attend an appointment with a counsellor to discuss the implications of using donor sperm to have a baby.

If you are happy to proceed, there are numerous factors to be considered. We will provide you with information on how to choose and search for suitable donors. Our lab staff will discuss your choice with you before proceeding with the purchase and import of the sperm on your behalf. The sperm will be kept in storage until you are ready to use it.

How is donated sperm used?

Donated sperm can be used in a number of ways to achieve pregnancy, including:

IUI (Intrauterine Insemination)

The prepared donor sperm is transferred directly to the womb at the time of ovulation (release of an egg). Hormones may be required to stimulate ovulation in the ovaries. Find out more about IUI

IVF (In Vitro Fertilisation) and ICSI (Intra-Cytoplasmic Sperm injection)

The ovaries are stimulated with hormones to promote the growth of multiple follicles containing eggs.  The eggs are then removed and inseminated (fertilised) with the donor sperm in the laboratory. It’s expected that some embryos will develop over the next few days, and one or two of these will be transferred to the womb in the hope of a successful pregnancy. More about IVF/ICSI

We partner with the Merrion Fertility Clinic and First IVF for Donor Sperm services