Sperm donation can be a bit awkward (that little room isn’t exactly sexy) and non-conventional when it comes to creating children. But being a sperm donor can also bring inexpressible amounts of joy to people undergoing artificial insemination such as single mothers, lesbian couples, and married women with infertile husbands.
According to an article published in The Atlantic, an estimated 30,000 to 60,000 babies are conceived through sperm donation each year in the United States. While there are a lot of things to consider, there are all kinds of benefits to giving the gift of life by donating sperm. Here are five reasons why you should consider donating your sperm.
1. Change lives through the gift of family
According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC),12 percent of women in the United States between the ages of 15-44 have trouble getting pregnant or carrying a pregnancy to term. This statistic doesn’t even account for male infertility or lesbian couples who desire to have children. By dedicating yourself to private sperm donations you will be making someone’s biggest dream come true (to conceive a child) by increasing the number of available sperm donors in this sperm bank of California. Married women, women in domestic partnerships, and single mothers alike are looking for quality sperm!
You will need to provide information such as your natural hair color, your blood type, an extensive medical, personal, and sexual history, and you will need to provide a sperm sample. Be sure to refrain from masturbation or sexual intercourse for 48-72 hours before giving your sperm sample for the best quality sperm for both testing and donor insemination. Also, read the written agreement very carefully. This is especially true if you are a known sperm donor (donating to someone you know) be sure to get a written agreement on things like your name not going on the birth certificate (if they put your name you could receive parental rights and be sought out for child support) and them covering all of the health care costs
If you are Jewish, consider taking to your Rabbi first as Rabbinical instructions can differ greatly in this area as opinions on reproductive technology vary greatly. One study conducted in 2015 found that many Israeli Jewish women are finding it difficult to find a number of available sperm donors for both Jewish sperm and non-Jewish sperm due to the scarcity of Israeli donors at Israeli sperm banks.
2. Compensation!
According to a Business Insider article from last year, men can get paid roughly $35-$125 per donation depending on the sperm bank. One sperm bank in Manhattan even pays its donors a monthly payment of $1,500! Plus, some health insurance plans will reimburse you for your time and expenses for up to $1,000 a month.
3. Keep tabs on your health
Let’s be honest—even under the Affordable Care Act, medical care can be a nightmare, especially if your health insurance coverage is lacking or you’re without health insurance altogether. Luckily there are platforms out there like the Health Quote Gurus to help you choose the best plan, even if you’re on a budget. Whether you’re looking for a medishare quote, group insurance quotes, or information on individual plans, Health Quote Gurus has the tools and resources you need to find what you’re looking for!
Being a sperm donor, however, gives you the option to get medical checkups for free (even if your donor sperm is rejected, you will receive your medical results and be referred to a doctor for any problems that may have come up.
According to the Mayo Clinic, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requires a minimum of basic screenings for infectious diseases and certain risk factors before donating to a sperm bank. This alone is a health incentive (especially since you will get an additional bi-yearly screening if you become a regular donor). Keep in mind that testing will vary state to state—certain states require additional screenings.
The Mayo Clinic notes that, unlike regular doctor visits, a pre-donation screening will test your blood for diseases and if you’re a genetic carrier for certain diseases/genetic defects, and they will perform a light psychological evaluation as well. Like regular doctor visits, they will also go over your medical history, whether any of your family members have any health problems, everyone you have had sexual relations with, and any prescription drugs you may take (or recreational drug history).
4. Know your sperm count
According to the Mayo Clinic, most sperm banks require the men performing the sperm donation to be between the ages of 18-39 (although some have a cut off age of 34). They will take a sperm sample to test your sperm for “quantity, quality, and movement.”
Most men this young are unaware of if they suffer from a low sperm count (or some other issue with male fertility). This is another health incentive considering that this way, you can know officially now so that you can begin making plans for your future (should children be in it).
5. Be an activist in your spare time
A survey released at the beginning of this year and conducted by the Family Equality Organization found that over half (63 percent) of people in the LGBTQ community are planning on growing their families through reproductive technology, foster care, or adoption. By being a sperm donor, you will not only be helping infertile heterosexual couples conceive, but you will also be helping the growing number of lesbian couples and trans couples who wish to conceive a child of their own.
Also, if you have no desire to be a father, but may wish to procreate as a biological father, this is a great way to do it. Plus, sperm banks offer flexible schedules so you can schedule to donate your donor sperm on your schedule.
