Sperm Donation Facts vs. Myths

We regularly hear from potential sperm donors who incorrectly assume they won’t be eligible to donate for various reasons. So, to clear up these misconceptions, here we answer a few common questions and debunk some myths about becoming a sperm donor.

Sperm Donation Facts and Myths

Sperm donors must be at least six feet tall.

Myth! Donors in our program are all different shapes and sizes, just like the people who rely on sperm donations to have children. Some families are looking for a donor with characteristics that are similar to their partner, who may be short or tall.

Gay men who are sexually active cannot become sperm donors.

Unfortunately, true. Being a licensed sperm bank, we comply with FDA regulations regarding tissue donations. Per the FDA, tissue donors are ineligible if they are male and have had sex with another man in the previous five years.

Redheads can’t be sperm donors.

Myth! We need donors of all shapes, sizes, ethnicities, and hair color. People looking for donors are looking for a wide range of characteristics, including red hair.

Donors must be abstinent before donating.

True. Being abstinent for 48 to 72 hours gives the highest quality samples, with the greatest number of sperm cells. So, this requirement is to make sure samples meet our higher standards for donations.

There is an age limit for joining our sperm donor program.

True. There is an age limit on donors because sperm health has been shown to significantly decrease with age. All donors must be between 18 and 39 years old.

Someone with a history of cancer in their family is not eligible.

Depends. If you have a family history of cancer, our genetic counselor and medical director will review that history, including ages of cancer diagnoses and type of cancer, to determine your eligibility. Many people have a history of cancer, heart disease, or other health conditions in their extended family but do not pose a risk to future offspring. Many of our current qualified donors have relatives with a cancer history, so you may still be eligible depending on the specific diagnoses.

​Our Donor Coordinators are here to help answer any questions or concerns you may have about applying for the program. Call (858) 732-8500 or email us to speak with one of our team members today. To apply to be a sperm donor, please begin by completing our online application.