Common questions:
Becoming a Sperm Donor
At San Diego Sperm Bank, we make donating sperm a comfortable, convenient, and rewarding experience. We know you have questions about the process and we are here to help guide you through the process. Below are answers to some frequently asked questions. If you have additional questions, please feel free to reach out to us.
Why Donate?
Donating sperm is easy, convenient and rewarding. It’s a way for you to earn extra income and receive free medical support, while also helping someone realize their lifelong dream of starting a family. Some of the perks include:
- Earn up to $1,500 a month
- Earn referral bonuses
- Free STD and Genetic Testing
- Free physical with our M.D.
How can I become a donor?
All healthy men between the age of 18 and 40.5 years old can become sperm donors at San Diego Sperm Bank if they fulfill a number of physical and psychological parameters. Click on the heading to read more about the steps to becoming a donor at San Diego Sperm Bank.
Becoming a Sperm Donor
View the video below, explaining the benefits and the process of becoming a sperm donor at San Diego Sperm Bank.
What are the requirements to become a donor?
You must be between 18 to 40.5 years old and in general good health. You must be able to donate 1 to 3 times per week at our lab in La Jolla, CA. You must have a college degree or currently being enrolled in a college program.
What happens at the screening appointment?
At the screening you will provide an initial sample for analysis and fill out a brief questionnaire. Please bring photo identification at this time. Though it is not required, you are also encouraged to bring a copy of your resume or CV. This additional information helps us match you to a family seeking a donor with a particular educational or professional background.
How am I compensated for my donation?
Once you pass your physical exam you can begin giving sperm donations. While each donation must be approved by our doctors in order for you to be paid, our approval rate is more than 90%. Donors receive $100 for each approved donation.
How often can I donate?
It depends on the quality of your sample, but on average, donors offer between 6 and 10 samples per month. We request that you commit to at least one donation per week.
Do I need to abstain from sex between donations? And if so, for how long?
You should abstain for a minimum of 48 hours prior to donating in order to give a sample with an optimal sperm count. This is both for the quality of the sample as well as for your benefit because you will not get the remaining $30 if your sample is not approved.
How long does it take for you to approve sperm donors?
It usually takes one to three weeks. The process includes the initial sample screening, your physical examination, your family health history questioning, and your blood and urine testing.
Why do you ask about my height, weight, ethnicity, and occupation?
This information helps us match your donation to waiting families in the U.S., Canada, Australia, and the European Union. We currently have waiting lists for those seeking certain ethnicities, in particular those from Japan, Russia, the Ukraine, and the Czech Republic. But we encourage healthy men between 18 and 40.5 from all ethnicities to consider donating.
Can men with a history of gay sexual relations donate sperm?
Yes, we work with clinics and clients around the world who are not subject to FDA regulation. Due to FDA regulation, we are unable to distribute sperm in the US donated by men that have had male-to-male sexual contact within the past five years.
What is a directed donor?
A directed donor is someone who stores sperm samples for a predetermined recipient that is not a spouse or life partner. There is also the option to store your own sperm for future use by your sexually intimate partner; this is called the Client Depositor route.
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Simple, right? Let’s Get Started!
We work closely with all of our donors to provide personal service that is focused on you, the donor, as an individual. Our experienced team will ensure a comfortable and positive experience that includes a full health check-up upon your entry into our program, along with ongoing support and extensive, advanced genetic screening.