Breaking Myths: A Candid Q&A with Our Andrology Service Lead

Thinking about becoming a sperm donor but feeling a bit unsure? You’re not alone.

For many men, the idea of donating sperm brings up a lot of questions… and a few concerns. Will it be awkward? Is it safe? Could there be unexpected consequences down the line? These are all completely normal thoughts to have before taking such a big step.  

At NUH Life, we understand that fear of the unknown can be a major barrier– especially when it comes to something as personal as sperm donation. That’s why we’re here to break it all down for you. In this Q&A, we’ve sat down with Karen, our Andrology Service Lead, to address the most common fears, misconceptions and anxieties prospective donors have. We’ll give you honest, clear answers so you can feel informed, confident and comfortable as you consider embarking on this journey.

Let’s get started and put those worries to rest.

1. I’m really concerned about privacy. Will people know that I’m a sperm donor? How is my identity protected?

People will generally only know that you are a sperm donor if you choose to tell them yourself! Men visit our clinic for all sorts of reasons– in fact, very few of them are sperm donors. We are very discrete and do all we can to ensure your privacy is maintained whilst you are donating samples.

Your identifying details are only known to the laboratory staff, your records are kept securely and only a few key staff have access to them. You are given a unique non-identifying ‘donor code’ when you start donating– your name is not shared with anyone outside our unit, other than to the governing body, the HFEA.

However you must be aware that in the future, donor-conceived children do have a legal right to request your identifying details when they reach the age of 18.

2. Is donating sperm uncomfortable or weird? I’m a little worried about how awkward the experience might be!

We understand how it may feel to visit our unit for the first time– it’s nerve-racking! Let’s face it, it’s a little unusual. But we do all we can to make it as easy as possible. Staff are very professional (don’t forget – this is our day to day job and totally routine for us!). We provide discrete and comfortable rooms to produce your samples in– and yes, we do provide adult material to view if this makes things any easier for you! Once men have completed their period of screening and start regularly donating samples, they do become more relaxed and find it easier… or just a little less weird!

3. What happens if I change my mind about being a donor, even after I’ve started the process? Am I allowed to back out?

We work very hard to ensure that we only recruit men who have considered all of the possible implications of donating sperm, and we insist that all potential donors have a session with an independent counsellor to fully explore their thoughts, feelings and understanding of what it means to donate sperm. We do not want any of our donors to have regrets in future!

But we know that sometimes people’s views or circumstances change over time. Donors have a legal right to withdraw their consent to the storage and use of their samples at any point, up until they have been used in a treatment cycle.

4. What if I’m not accepted as a donor? Do you notify me, and will I know the reason why?

Whilst we don’t issue formal reports, we will always explain why you haven’t been accepted as a sperm donor. Most of the men who have the initial test done have perfectly normal semen samples, with counts and motility within ‘normal’ ranges. However to be a sperm donor we need much higher than average counts– and for this reason we have to decline at least half the men who volunteer to donate.

If your test shows that you may have an actual fertility problem yourself, we will explain this to you in a clear but sensitive way, and then signpost you to undertake further investigations if necessary.

5. What kind of health screening or testing do I have to go through? What if something unexpected comes up in the tests?

The screening process for donors is very thorough– remember we are using your samples to treat women, and need to make sure that we are not passing on any harmful diseases or conditions. After an initial physical examination, you will need to undertake regular blood and urine tests (generally every 3-6 months). If you are severely needle-phobic, you may wish to reconsider being a sperm donor!

If the tests show anything unexpected we will discuss that with you, and support you to get treatment and/or further investigations. 

6. I’m a bit anxious about who will see my medical history or personal details during the donation process. How do you ensure confidentiality and who has access to my information?

Your records are kept securely and only a few key NUH Life staff have access to them. You are given a unique non-identifying ‘donor code’ when you start donating, and only laboratory staff can link this code to your identifying details. Your identifying information is not shared with anyone outside our unit, other than to the governing body the HFEA. By law, the HFEA must keep and maintain a secure centralised database of all donors in the UK, alongside the outcomes of any treatments using those samples. 

7. How often would I need to donate? I’m worried about how much time this might take or if it’ll disrupt my routine.

You need to be prepared for the fact that donation is not a one-off process: it does need a small time commitment from you. 

We aim for most donors to visit once a week– most of our donors will choose a regular day and time to visit every week, because then it becomes a part of your normal routine. However this doesn’t work for everyone, and we are happy to be flexible and fit appointments around your work or education commitments. The unit is open Monday to Friday, so if you are unable to visit during the working week, donation is going to be difficult for you. 

We hope this Q&A has helped ease some of your concerns and given you a clearer understanding of what it means to be a sperm donor! 

At NUH Life, we’re committed to making the process as smooth, safe, and rewarding as possible– for both donors and recipients. Donating sperm is an incredibly generous act that can change lives, and it’s completely normal to have questions or feel uncertain before taking the leap. But now that you’ve got the facts, we hope you feel more confident in your decision.  

If you’re ready to take the next step or have any more questions, don’t hesitate to reach out. Our team is here to guide and support you every step of the way.