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FAQ

Kom godt i gang

Where do I start?

You're already on the right track. In this FAQ you'll find answers to questions that can help kickstart your process of deciding on a treatment type and location, finding the perfect donor match, ordering sperm straws and everything in between.

In our Beginners' guide you can learn about the topics that you should consider when choosing a sperm donor and treatment course, and there is also guidance for every step of the journey.

You can also simply create an account with us via our website and start browsing our donor catalogue, or you can contact us if you want us to help you.

How do I plan my treatment?

Every journey is different, but to help you get started, we have outlined a general timeline for the process below. The exact duration will vary depending on your circumstances.

Step 1: Contact your chosen sperm bank (month 1)

• Week 1-2: Reach out to the sperm bank (that's us) and inquire about their process for donor selection.

• Week 3-4: Browse donor profiles, narrow down your options find a donor who meets your specific criteria, and finalize your choice. Order your donor sperm online, and arrange for the sperm to be stored or shipped to a fertility clinic.

Step 2: Connect with a fertility clinic (month 2)

• Week 1-2: Choose a clinic recommended by the sperm bank or find one independently. Schedule your initial consultation.

• Week 3-4: Schedule a consultation to begin initial testing (bloodwork, ultrasounds, etc.) and discuss treatment options (IUI vs. IVF).

Step 3: Testing & treatment preparation (month 3)

• Complete any additional fertility assessments (e.g., HSG, saline sonogram).

• Start cycle monitoring and determine the timeline for treatment based on your ovulation and chosen procedure.

Step 4: Begin treatment (month 4)

• IUI: Plan insemination during ovulation or after ovulation-inducing medications.

• IVF: Start ovarian stimulation, followed by egg retrieval and embryo transfer.

Step 5: Follow-up & next steps (month 5 and beyond)

• If the first cycle is unsuccessful, adjust the protocol and try additional cycles. If successful, transition to prenatal care.

This approach ensures you choose a donor early to secure your preferred straws and use expert clinics familiar with working with us. Need more details on any step? Let us know!

How long does it take?

Generally 6-12 months, including testing, donor selection, and treatment cycles. However, the exact duration may vary based on your specific circumstances.

What if it doesn’t work the first time?

Be prepared for multiple cycles, as success may take a few attempts. We are here to support you, and we will guide you in your next steps.

Valg af sæddonor

How do I choose the right donor?

Deciding on a donor involves a mix of medical and ethical considerations as well as your gut feeling - and optionally a little help from our support team.

Try our step-by-step guide to choosing a sperm donor.

We encourage you to start your donor search with a broad search first to explore all your possibilities. Get started by filtering sperm donor details that are important to you. These could be height, IQ, eye color, ancestry, ID release/non-ID release etc.

Once you’ve narrowed down the selection of sperm donors that suit your personal preferences, you can save your preferred donors by clicking the heart icon, and then you can dive into their extended profiles. Here you will be able to see which donors align with your values and any specific personality traits you find preferable. You may want to choose a donor based on their medical history, sperm quality, and even personal preferences like the adult or baby photo of the donor.

Nailing your choice of donor is important for you and your child's future, and we know it's not a straightforward decision, so feel free to get in contact with us if you need any guidance.

What kind of information can I see in the donor profiles?

By offering rich, detailed profiles, we help prospective parents gain a comprehensive understanding of potential donors. This way you can make an informed choice and foster a closer connection with the selected donor.

In the profiles you will see:

  • Basic information such as donor alias and ID type (release or non-release)

  • Physical characteristics such as height, weight, hair colour, eye colour, body silhouette, glasses/no glasses and more

  • Health and genetics such as blood type, family tree with ethnicity and occupation, whether he has children of his own

  • Background and education such as ancestry, ethnicity, language, occupation, education and more

  • Personality and psychological traits such as IQ, our impression of him, personality profile and traits, psychologist's opinion

  • Personal insights such as quotes from the donor, hobbies and interests, favorite color, animal and sport and more

  • Visual and written material such as a handwriting sample, childhood pictures and sometimes adult pictures

Can I get photos of the sperm donor as a child?

Yes, all our donors provide baby photos of themselves.

Can I get photos of the sperm donor as an adult?

Some donors provide adult photos of themselves, and some prefer to just provide baby photos.

Why is my donor's IQ important?

Intelligence has an impact on an individual's life outcomes across various domains.

As up to 80% of IQ score variance can be attributed to genetics, we only accept donors with normal to high IQ levels.

This lowers the risk of potential challenges associated with decision-making, problem-solving, and mental health from being passed on to offspring.

Do all your donors have clean criminal records?

Yes. We require a clean criminal record from our donors, as studies suggest that genetic factors account for approximately 40-60% of the variability in criminal or antisocial behavior.

What is genetic matching?

By comparing the mother's genes with her preferred donor's genes, we can identify over 4,000 disease-causing genes. This is a reliable way to reduce the risk of a genetic disease affecting your child.

You can read more about it in our Beginners' Guide.

How often do you get new donors?

Several new unique donors join our network every month.

Will my child be able to contact the sperm donor?

This depends on your choice of donor. If you choose a Non-ID release donor, your child will not receive identifying information about their donor.

If you choose an ID release donor, your child will gain access to identifying information (such as full name or address) for their donor when the child reaches the age of 18 (the age may vary as a result of national regulations). Your child can then use the information to try to contact their donor. However, Donor Network cannot guarantee or check whether the donor has changed his mind or whether he can be contacted when that time comes.

What is the difference between an ID release donor and a Non-ID release donor?

ID-release donors:
ID-release donors, also known as open donors, agree to share their identity with offspring once the child reaches a certain age (usually 18 or 21 depending on national regulations). This allows donor-conceived children access to personal information like name or address, fostering potential contact.

Non ID-release donors:
Non-ID Release donors remain anonymous, with no identifying information shared. Donor and offspring cannot access each other’s details to establish contact.

You can read more about ID release in our Beginners' guide.

How do donor-conceived children contact their donor?

If the sperm donor is registered as ID release, your child will have the opportunity to reach out to Donor Network when they turn 18 (in some places 21 depending on national regulations) to obtain identifying details.

This information includes full name, date of birth, and the most recent address that he has shared with Donor Network.

With these details, the child may choose to initiate contact with the donor.

Where are your donors from?

Our donors are residents of Denmark, and most of them are Danish, but the selection represents a diverse list of ancestries and ethnicities. Information about the specific donor's origin is available in their profile.

Do you have exclusive donors?

Yes. We offer global exclusivity or national exclusivity for an additional fee. To inquire specifically about which donors are available for exclusivity, please reach out to us.

Not sure what donor exclusivity is? Read more in our knowledge section here.

How many families can a donor help?

Most countries have a limit for how many children and families can origin from a single sperm donor. This limit varies depending on the country. In Denmark the limit is that a donor can help no more than 12 families. This is based on what Danish health authorities believe is ethically justifiable for both donors and children.

We always ensure compliance with the rules of the country you're receiving treatment in.

How do you screen and choose donors?

During screening and testing, the sperm donor undergoes a series of evaluations including:

  1. Initial intuition-based conversation
  2. Evaluation of semen quality
  3. Three-stage genetic risk assessment
  4. Comprehensive medical examination and testing
  5. IQ requirements
  6. Criminal background check
  7. Personality evaluation through testing
  8. Assessment by a psychologist
  9. Approval by fertility staff
  10. Final approval by the Medical Director

Find out more about our screening processes and the ideas and values behind it here.

What criteria do your donors have to meet?

We require the following of each donor:

  • They must be between the ages of 18 and 45
  • They must pass our extensive medical, genetic and personal screening process
  • Our staff must feel comfortable about recommending them to their own patients
  • They must have a clean criminal record
  • They must have an IQ score within the normal range or above
  • They can not become a sperm donor if they have previously donated sperm at another sperm bank
  • They can not become a sperm donor if they were adopted or a donor-conceived child themselves, as we require a comprehensive understanding of their family’s
    medical history.

We also require for them to undergo personal meetings and consultations with our therapist. This all makes it possible for us confidently recommend each donor to our own patients.

Which diseases do you screen donors for?

Donors go through general health checks to ensure they are in good health to be approved as a donor. They are then screened for infectious and sexually transmitted diseases such as HIV, hepatitis, chlamydia etc.

Our donors also undergo genetic screening for the most common and serious genetic diseases such as cystic fibrosis, spinal muscular atrophy, non-syndromic hearing loss, hemoglobinopathies and Tay Sachs.

An advanced genetic profiling is available with the option Genetic Matching which you can find out more on here in our Beginners' guide.

How do I know which of your sperm donors have been tested CMV negative?

You can expand the filter 'Donor CMV Status' in our list of donors and select IgG negative. This will show you only the donor who have tested CMV negative.

Do sperm donors in Danish sperm banks get paid?

Yes, donors are paid an amount per approved sperm donation and compensation for the screening and onboarding process. This amount is intended to cover any expenses in connection with travel and lost working hours.

What motivates your donors to donate sperm?

There are many reasons behind our donors' motivation to donate, but a recurring theme is that they understand the massive personal value it has for families who need help to start their families. They might have family members or friends who cannot conceive on their own, or they might have children themselves who are conceived from donor eggs.

Others donors donate because they want to contribute to the cause of fighting depopulation in countries where birth rates are low, and some donors donate because they view it as a great way of being able to give back while earning a little extra cash.

Behandling, graviditet og søskende

Who can benefit from treatment using a sperm donor?

Fertility treatment with donor sperm is useful for single mothers, lesbian couples and couples experiencinginfertility caused by problems with the male reproductive system.

Can you recommend a clinic?

Yes, we work closely with our partner clinics located in Aarhus, Fredericia, Odense, Slagelse and Copenhagen, so we are happy to recommend these, and we will also gladly help you find a clinic abroad.

You can read a bit more about JunoIVF, Maigaard fertility Clinic, IVF-Syd, Storkereden and jordemoder.dk on our page Find a clinic.

Kan jeg bruge min egen læge til insemination, eller skal jeg udelukkende benytte jeres klinikker?

Vi kan sende til enhver sundhedsprofessionel, så du kan blive insemineret af den du har lyst til.

Which treatments are available when using donor sperm?

• IUI: Sperm is placed directly into the uterus.

• IVF: Eggs are retrieved, fertilized in a lab, and embryos are transferred to the uterus.

Some clinics also offer ICSI (a single sperm is injected directly into the egg) or IMSI (more advanced version of ICSI).

Which fertility treatment should I choose?

Choosing treatment is often a matter of estimated probability of success compared to cost, and the choice is often made during consultation with the fertility clinic as a result of your specific fertility assessment and your preferences. Our experienced support staff are here to guide you in your decision if you reach out to us, and if you would like an estimated cost for different treatment options, you can try our Cost calculator.

You can select a treatment plan as an optional addition in the shopping experience at our site for your convenience, but you're welcome to make your own arrangements for treatment in almost any country. We can ship your selected sperm internationally to a clinic of your choice.

What does IVF and IUI mean?

• IUI: Intrauterine insemination. Sperm is placed directly into the uterus.

• IVF: In Vitro Fertilization. Eggs are retrieved, fertilized in a lab, and embryos are transferred to the uterus.

Which straw type should I order?

The straw type/sperm quality you need when ordering donor sperm depends mostly on your treatment type.

In a very general sense, you'll use MOT10 or higher for IUI treatments, while lower may often be sufficient for IVF/ICSI/IMSI treatments.

Is the donor’s blood type important?

Blood type of the sperm donor has no impact on your chances of conceiving.

What does MOT5, MOT10 etc. mean?

MOT is short for 'Motility' – a term denoting the concentration of motile sperm cells in a given sample. The numbers 2, 5, 10, 20, etc. refer to the millions of motile sperm cells per millilitre in a semen sample after it has been thawed.

  • MOT2: The sample contains 2 million motile sperm cells per millilitre. Typically used for ICSI.
  • MOT5: 5 million motile sperm cells/ml. Typically used for ICSI or IVF.
  • MOT10: 10 million motile sperm cells/ml. Typically used for IVF or IUI.
  • MOT20: 20 million motile sperm cells/ml. Typically used for IUI.

High sperm motility increases the likelihood of successful fertilization.

What is the expected chance of success?

The success rate of fertility treatment varies based on factors such as the woman's age, overall health, and the specific fertility clinic's success rates.

  • IUI with donor sperm: Success rates typically range from 10% to 20% per cycle for women under 35, and decrease with age.
  • IVF with donor sperm: Success rates are higher, around 40% to 50% per cycle for women under 35, and decrease with age.

IVF generally offers better success rates but is more invasive and expensive than IUI. Our fertility specialists can help you get personalized estimates based on your individual circumstances.

What if I would like to use the same donor to have siblings for my donor child?

If you're planning to expand your family in the future, having extra straws from the same donor allows for biological siblings. You can buy extra straws and storage when you add your selected straws to the cart.

How many straws should I order?

Our general rule of thumb is to secure 2-3 straws for one child, depending on your treatment method and your age.

We recommend taking into consideration whether you want siblings at a later point. If so, we offer storage of the straws until you're ready. Having additional straws stored with Donor Network also ensures a seamless second or third attempt without having to worry about your donor's availability.

For IUI:

  • 1 to 3 straws per cycle: Typically, one straw is used per cycle, but some clinics may recommend having an extra straw on hand in case additional insemination cycles are needed. For women over 35 or those with fertility concerns, more than one straw may be used in a single cycle to increase the chances of success.

For IVF:

  • 1 to 2 straws per cycle: IVF typically requires fewer straws because a single straw of sperm can be used to fertilize multiple eggs. However, some clinics may recommend having a second straw available if additional sperm is needed for ICSI or other procedures.

What are pregnancy quotas?

The pregnancy quota system regulates the number of pregnancies achieved per sperm donor to maintain legal and ethical standards.

As part of this system, you must buy a pregnancy quota along with the straw purchase. This secures your right to attempt conception using sperm from your chosen donor. A pregnancy quota will be automatically added depending on your country of residency and treatment, and payment is only retained if a successful pregnancy results in a live birth.

Priser for donorsæd

Does my choice of donor affect the price?

Yes, the price depends on the type of donor (ID release or not, adult photos or not, and IQ level) as well as the quality of the sperm (MOT5, MOT10 etc.). Specific prices are easily viewed in the donor overview, and you can also find price examples on our Pricing page. 

Additional fees may include shipping or storing of sperm, pregnancy quota or any additional services such as our exclusive donor service.

Do the prices displayed on the website include VAT?

Yes, all prices shown on our website include VAT, so you will not be surprised by additional fees at checkout.

Bestilling og levering

What if a donor is sold out?

If the donor is sold out or becomes unavailable in the future, it’s likely because they reached their limit of pregnancies, or their straws are out of stock. Therefore, we recommend that you secure your desired amount of sperm from the donor, and have it stored for when you’re ready for your child or second child.

Where can I have straws delivered to?

Straws can be delivered to fertility clinics worldwide, but current restrictions prevent shipping to the United States.

Can I have sperm straws delivered to my home address?

No. Under Danish law, we can’t send donor sperm to home addresses – it must go to a clinic or healthcare professional who will support you in your treatment.

How fast do you deliver my order?

To ensure payment is processed accordingly, we encourage you to place your order at least 10 business days before the sperm straws are required.

In Europe, delivery typically takes 1-2 working days, while shipments outside Europe usually take 3-5 working days, though customs may extend this to over a week. For UK orders, importing may add delays. Expedited delivery is available upon request.

We guarantee the quality and timeliness of every shipment, ensuring your straws arrive as expected.

Opbevaring og returnering

Can I reserve straws for later use?

Yes, we offer reservation and secure storage of your purchased straws.

Can I return unused straws and get a refund, and what if the pregnancy is not successful?

You will be able to get a partial refund on your purchased straws if they are still in our stock and have not exceeded 60 months since the purchase date. Once straws have been shipped, it is not possible to send them back, as the product and the shipment process are not suitable for returns. However, your fee for the pregnancy quota will be reimbursed in case of an unsuccessful pregnancy.

You can read more about this in our terms and conditions.

Om Donor Network

Is Donor Network licensed?

Yes, our license for the handling and use of tissue/cells is authorised by the DK013-Danish Patient Safety Authority.

Why choose Donor Network?

We are a Danish sperm bank on the road to rethinking the entire structure of the fertility industry.

Keeping clinics, sperm banks and couples and singles in fertility treatment better connected, and providing smoother processes and much higher sperm donation standards.

Find out more about how we will make a difference for you right here.

How do I get in contact with Donor Network?

We have a chat bubble on our website, our phones lines are open at +45 54 54 67 47, and you can e-mail us at info@donornetwork.com. Or, you can use our contact form to ask us to contact you.

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