For the second article in our series on fertility treatments, we will be discussing the cost of sperm donors. More families are working with sperm banks and donors in order to build their families than ever before.
The option of using sperm donors has been around a long time. In 1995, 170,000 women in the United States used sperm donation as a tool to help build their families. By 2017, an estimated 450,000 women used a sperm bank. In addition, many lesbian/queer couples and single women must use sperm donors, sperm banks, and corresponding therapeutic fertility treatments to building a biological family.
How much does sperm cost?
Generally, a vial of sperm costs between $900 and $1,000. The cost will vary depending on the sperm bank used, the sperm donor that you select, and the degree of the sperm’s processing. The cost of a vial of sperm covers just that – a vial of sperm. Any formal fertility treatments would be an additional cost.
Most families require multiple rounds of treatment. This means multiple vials of sperm. Most women become pregnant after an average of 4 to 8 rounds of treatment. Most families buy between 2 and 4 vials at a time so it is important to account for that when considering sperm donor cost.
How do families use donated sperm?
The price of using a sperm bank varies depending on how your family plans to use the sperm. Here are some of the ways in which donated sperm can be used:
- At-home intracervical semination (ICI)
- ICI or Intrauterine insemination (IUI) at a fertility clinic, without ovulation induction
- IUI at a fertility clinic, with ovulation induction
- In-vitro fertilization (IVF)
Sperm donors used with fertility treatments
When using sperm donors or working with a sperm bank, it is important to remember that it also likely involves the process of intrauterine insemination (IUI), along with the possibility of ovulation induction and/or in-vitro fertilization (IVF). While there are costs associated with each of these processes, this article will focus on the costs specific to using a sperm donor or sperm bank.
How do costs for sperm vary?
Some sperm banks charge a fee, such as $50 for three months, to peruse their full catalog of donors. This allows you to see things like pictures and other information for their donors. Some sperm costs more than other sperm. Many banks have “premium” donors who have undergone rigorous genetic testing, and using their sperm may cost more.
There are often different price tags based on quality, meaning how active the “swimmers” are. The more active the sperm cells (sometimes referred to as “motile cells,”) the higher the cost. If your family plans to use a sperm donor without other corresponding fertility treatments, it is often recommended that you use higher quality (more active) sperm. This may increase the cost of donor sperm. If using a sperm donor along with other assisted reproductive techniques (sometimes referred to as A.R.T.,) there is less of a need for high motility.
Some sperm banks charge a fee for “washed” versus “unwashed” sperm. When sperm is washed, the sperm cells are separated from the rest of the seminal fluid. Sperm washing can be necessary when donor sperm is used in conjunction with A.R.T. However, it is not always necessary when used with ICI and IUI. Costs are typically the same whether a donor is “open identity” or completely anonymous.
What about asking a friend?
Some families consider asking a friend or acquaintance to donate their sperm. For some families, it feels more comfortable or safe to rely on their social network and people that they already trust. For others, this is a tempting option to avoid the costs associated with sperm banks. There are of course risks associated with circumventing the systems and regulations that have been built to protect families, but the lower cost and lower degree of invasiveness may be attractive for your family.
There are some sneaky costs associated with sperm donations from a friend. Without the protection and regulation of going through a sperm bank, it would be wise to use a lawyer. Choose a lawyer experienced in family and contract law to write a contract establishing the rights of the known donor to any possible compensation and parental rights. The costs of hiring a lawyer vary. The process can also involve fees for hiring a separate attorney for the known donor, to review the contract, and represent their interests. You’d be responsible for the full cost, as well as any other negotiated expenses the donor may ask you to cover, because the arrangement benefits you more than the donor.
If your family would like a friend or acquaintance to donate sperm through a sperm bank for your use (i.e. a “known donor”) the costs associated can actually be more expensive than using an anonymous or open identity donor. Known donor sperm, if donated through a sperm bank or used at a fertility clinic, must undergo the same rigorous testing other donated sperm goes through. In addition, known donor sperm sometimes has to be held in quarantine for a period of 6 months. Sometimes sperm banks also require legal contracts in these situations. As with all other financial decisions, it is important to consider the costs associated with your options, across all corresponding areas.
To summarize
- A vial of sperm tends to cost between $900 and $1,000.
- Most families require multiple vials of sperm in order to become pregnant.
- The cost of using a sperm bank or sperm donor vary depending on the fertility treatments used in connection with the sperm and how the sperm is processed.
- The cost of using a known donor (friend or acquaintance) is likely more expensive than using an open identity or anonymous donor through a sperm bank, due to screening measures and legal fees.
More and more families view donated sperm and sperm banks as a useful tool in building their families. The cost of sperm donors vary widely but is often a necessary expense for lesbian couples, single women, or heterosexual couples facing infertility. But don’t worry. You can rely on Pasito to help you relieve some of the financial stress when contemplating your options.
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Disclaimer: We try our best to provide you helpful content. However, we do not offer financial, legal, or tax advice. Please speak with a professional about your personal situation.
