5 Reasons Why You Could Be Rejected from a Sperm Donor Program

Sperm donor program requirements are put in place for a few different reasons. It is understandable that intended parents would seek a donor who is in good health, without underlying conditions that could be passed down from one generation to the next. Donors need to be reliable and committed to the donation program’s policies, otherwise a donation cycle will be incomplete. Not everyone is a good fit for sperm donor programs based on their health, their lifestyle, and potentially their personal goals. Additionally, there is the need to understand the role of donor anonymity. These are just some of the reasons why a person could be rejected from a sperm donor program.

If you are interested in donating your sperm, it’s important to understand what the process is like outside of pop culture references you may have seen or read about before.

Here are five reasons why you could be rejected from a sperm donor program…

1. You are unable to commit to the duration of the donor program - At Sperm Bank Inc., we ask that donors commit to a 12 month period. This is to ensure that your donor profile consists of an adequate amount of your donation efforts that intended parents can use to grow their families through fertility care services, some of which can require multiple rounds before success is achieved. Of course, those who gain acceptance to the program are normally able to continue to be a sperm donor after the one year period if they so desire.

2. You do not meet the basic requirements - Our sperm donor program has a list of basic requirements that must be met as part of your initial application. These include our desired donor age range (18-39), being allowed to work in the U.S. legally, have earned or are going to soon earn a college degree, can complete a detailed application outlining your personal and familial medical history, can donate between 1-2 times per week, and consent to physical exams and blood work every six months.

3. You cannot adhere to the abstinence requirements - 3 to 4 days prior to a collection appointment, sperm donors need to practice abstinence. Basically, frequent masturbation can potentially lower the quantity and/or quality of the sperm found in your semen. Of course, from a sperm bank’s perspective, we would be seeking the highest possible sperm quantity and quality, which means that abstinence in the days prior to a collection appointment is necessary every time.

4. There is an inherited genetic concern in place - We know that genetic conditions can be inherited from one generation to the next and depending on the condition, the risk factor for this occurring can vary considerably. Sperm banks request personal and familial histories in detail in order to prevent the spread of genetic conditions throughout those families that are using donated sperm in order to have a child. We understand that you may or may not be aware of your potential genetic history, which is why we ask for a detailed breakdown as well as have screening requirements in place that test for specific issues regardless.

5. You have an underlying condition in need of treatment - One unintentional benefit of the thorough screening methods used before a donor is or isn’t accepted into a program is that underlying health conditions can make themselves known. It is possible that a potential donor is not aware that he suffers from such a condition, as not every health issue has clear or consistent symptoms. If you are in need of treatment, now is not an appropriate time to consider sperm donation. It is possible, depending on your health issue, that you can re-apply to become a donor at another time after having treatment.