What Does it Take to Become a Sperm Donor?

Becoming a sperm donor is rewarding financially and emotionally – but be aware, it’s not easy to qualify. On average, only about 5% of all our donor applicants meet the necessary requirements. Read on to discover what it takes to become a sperm donor at our clinic and how the process works.

Steps to Becoming a Sperm Donor

There is currently a severe shortage of donor sperm across the U.S., so Denver Sperm Bank is actively looking for healthy men from 18 to 39 to join our program. If you are interested in applying, here is what to expect.

• Please be patient. Becoming a sperm donor involves a comprehensive screening process that may take several weeks to complete. This process is designed to protect you as well as our clients trying to conceive.
• Complete our online questionnaire. SSD’s detailed questionnaire has dozens of questions about your medical, family, and sexual history. This includes questions about your extended family so we can determine whether you have genetic diseases running in your family such sickle cell anemia or cystic fibrosis. The questionnaire also covers allergies, your international travel experience, whether you’ve served in the armed forces, whether you have tattoos, and many other topics.
• Offer a semen sample. After you submit your online application, you will visit our clinic to give a semen sample. Our lab is open Monday through Friday, between 6:30 a.m. 5:00 p.m., and Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. This sample will be tested to determine the health of your sperm. You will be notified of the results within a few days, and this first sample will be destroyed after analysis. Please note that this initial sample is for testing purposes only, so you will not be paid for it.
• Get a free physical exam. If your semen sample is accepted, you will get a free physical exam at our clinic as part of the process. This will include blood, urine, and genetic testing to screen for HIV, Hepatitis A and C, and other infectious diseases.

Next Steps

Once you pass your physical exam and sign a contract, you can make regular deposits. But note that your first semen sample is frozen for six months to ensure they are viable. If they are still good after thawing, you will be eligible to be a regular donor. It’s important to realize that many sperm don’t survive the freezing process, so passing the initial exams does not guarantee you will qualify as a long-term donor. But if your samples are good after thawing, you will be asked to donate at least once a week.

Semen donation can’t be done at home, it must be done at our clinic. You will be given a private room to deposit your sample into a sterile container. It is then frozen using liquid nitrogen. Then, once it’s needed, it is thawed and used by our clients for artificial insemination.

Once you join our program, you will earn $100 for each donation, and you can donate up to three times per week. You can also earn an extra $500 each time you refer someone who qualifies to be a donor, so you can earn even more.

Learn More About Becoming a Sperm Donor

Though it’s not a quick and easy process, becoming a sperm donor has many benefits. You can earn up to $1,500 per month while helping others start or add to their families. And sperm donors are needed more than ever.  

If you’re interested in becoming a sperm donor, start by applying online. Or, if you have questions, contact us at cs@denverspermbank.com or (303) 970-5897 to talk with one of our friendly experts.