FAQs

Will I be financially or legally liable for any children born from my donation?

No, not at all. The recipients of your donated sperm or eggs are the parents of the child. You have no financial or legal liability for any donor-conceived children now or in the future.

Will the recipients of my donor sperm/donor eggs ever know who I am?

No. Donations are done anonymously, recipient patients will not know who you are whilst they are going through the process. If a pregnancy occurs as a result of your donation, the expectant parents are usually given very basic information about you, which you yourself put on your Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) form at the time of registering as a donor. This information can include your hair colour, eye colour, and height. You can also write a short description of yourself, including any skills, interests or hobbies. More detailed information is available to the child once it reaches the age of 18, which enables them to potentially identify you if they wish. This law change came into force in 2006.

Do I get paid to donate my sperm/eggs?

No, there is no direct payment for donating your sperm or eggs. Currently Manchester Fertility Services will reimburse your expenses and also compensate for loss of earnings which you may incur as a result of the donation process, up to £250 overall. This is set to change however – under new plans by the HFEA egg donors will receive a maximum of £750 per donation cycle including expenses, whilst sperm donors will receive £35 for each visit to a clinic including any expenses.

Can I find out if any children have been born as a result of my egg/sperm donation?

Yes, of course, you are entitled to know if any children have been born as a result of your donated sperm or eggs. We will tell you how many children have been born, whether they were boys or girls and the year of their birth. You will not be given any information which could identify those children.

Why do people need sperm donors?

Sperm disorders are one of the most common causes of male infertility that we see, in fact annually over 500 sperm donors are needed every year to meet demand. Reasons for using donated sperm can be that the sperm isn't moving as it should so can't reach the egg, it may be shaped abnormally, of poor quality or simply there may be too few sperm to achieve pregnancy naturally. Sperm donors are also used if there is a risk of passing on a hereditary disease on the father's side. Despite these common issues, there is a growing shortage of people willing to donate their sperm in the UK. Some people say this is because the law on anonymity was changed in 2005, others believe it is simply down to lack of awareness. At Manchester Fertility Services, we operate one of the most successful and in-demand sperm banks in the UK and as such we constantly require donors.

What's the sperm donation process?

Firstly you will undergo various screening tests, medical history checks and counselling before you can be accepted as a registered sperm donor with the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA). This process can take a few weeks. Once registered, you can begin donating. The actual sperm donation procedure is very simple - you will collect your semen in a container and it is then checked and stored for use. You will continue to be screened throughout your time as a donor to make sure that there are no health risks to any future children or recipient parents. For more details, visit our sperm donor page, which has a link to our online application form.

Will donating sperm do me any harm?

No. Your body will continue to produce semen as usual. Donating your sperm will have no effect on your sperm levels.

How often can I donate sperm?

You will need to commit to providing regular weekly donations, for several months. We will advise you how often you can visit our clinic to donate sperm.

Is there a limit to how many children can be born using my sperm?

Under UK regulations, set by the HFEA, there is a set limit of 10 'families' that can be created from your donated sperm, however this doesn't limit the actual number of children created within those 'families'. If you wish, you can set a lower limit than 10, and you can withdraw your consent at any time.

Why do people need egg donors?

Egg donors are used when the woman cannot produce her own eggs, or if there are abnormalities with the eggs. Common reasons include premature menopause, medical treatment - such as chemotherapy or radiotherapy - which can affect fertility and the concern of passing on any hereditary illnesses or diseases.

What's the egg donation process?

You will undergo various screening tests, medical history checks and counselling sessions before we can accept you as a donor at Manchester Fertility Services. Once you're accepted, you will be registered with the HFEA. To start the egg donor process, we inject you with hormones to stimulate your ovaries to produce mature eggs - this takes a few weeks, during which you will attend the clinic for regular monitoring. The eggs are then retrieved in surgery, they are drawn up through a fine needle, guided by ultrasound. You will be under sedation during the egg retrieval procedure, which takes about 30 minutes.

Is the egg removal procedure painful? Will I need to stay in hospital?

No, the technique used to retrieve the eggs is designed to be as non-invasive as possible. You will not need to stay in hospital, it is an out-patient procedure. You can usually go home afterwards after a period of rest. We will advise you whether there are any activities, such as driving, that you need to avoid for a time following the operation.

How do you decide who to give my eggs to?

We do try to match up characteristics where we can, of you and the recipient couple. However, all donated eggs are in great demand so it's not a case of waiting until we find the perfect match physically before we will treat someone. Every case is just as worthwhile as the rest. Your eggs will go to whoever is waiting for treatment at the time.

Will donating eggs affect my own chances of having children? Are there any risks to me?

Donating your eggs will not affect your future chances of having children, however any minor operation, of any sort, carries risk of infection and bleeding. There is also a risk of hyperstimulation - this is a condition where your ovaries respond quickly to the drugs used and produce many eggs. This is why we carry out hormone tests as part of the screening process, to see how your ovaries are likely to respond, and why you are monitored regularly once you have been given the drugs, to prevent hyperstimulation. If hyperstimulation occurs, some women feel bloated and there may be abdominal discomfort, but it is treatable. Severe cases are very rare.

What's the next step?

If you want to become a sperm donor or egg donor, please proceed to our online application: