Am I an Ideal Candidate for Sperm Donation?

In simple terms, sperm donors help childless couples fulfill their dream of a family through assistive reproductive techniques, like the IUI procedure. In fact, with rising cases of infertility across the world. The global sperm bank market’s size was estimated at $4.33 billion in 2018, a figure that is expected to increase at a CAGR of 3.3% from 2019 to 2025, according to Grand View Research.

While being a sperm donor is a great choice, you might have to undergo counseling to qualify as a donor. Additionally, you are required to meet certain criteria, in terms of education and medical history, in order to qualify. Take a look at the basic criteria you will need to fulfill to donate sperms in India.

1. Age

In India, you must be between 18 and 40 years of age to be able to donate sperms for commercial use. This is because sperm quality, including motility, morphology and count, are at their best during in age bracket. The volume is likely to be anywhere between 15 million to over 200 million per milliliter. With increasing age, the figures start declining. This can hamper the success of artificial insemination procedures, like IUI and IVF.

2. Health Concerns

Before heading to the sperm bank, ensure that you are free of sexually transmitted diseases, like Chlamydia, Trichomoniasis, genital herpes and gonorrhea. You should also get HIV screening done, if you have had multiple sexual partners in the past. Additionally, you should not have any genetic defects, like spina bifida, congenital heart disease, haemophilia, sickle cell anaemia and Marfan syndrome. Lastly, make sure you are not living with depression, hypertension or anxiety through a complete medical checkup.

3. Educational Qualifications

Basic secondary education is imperative for sperm donors in India. However, the degree required depends on various cryobanks. While some are okay with a secondary school certificate, others might insist on a college degree. This is because most parents today demand smart and well-educated donors to improve the chances of high IQ in their child. In fact, a QUT study has found that education is the second most important criteria, after age, while choosing donors. So, enhance your qualifications, if you can, to better the odds at being selected.

4. Social Status

Certain Indian couples might be concerned about race and ethnicity. Social status (elite, middle class or lower class) also plays an important factor, since it shapes one’s mentality. Therefore, get in touch with the nearest sperm bank to check if you are eligible.

5. Personality Traits

As a budding sperm donor, you must be able to describe yourself as stable, goal oriented and responsible. Anyone who is excessively shy, uncertain, nervous or stressed out could be disqualified. You must also not be fatigued, anxious or worried constantly. Lastly, make sure you do not have extreme anger issues or phobias. Although several genes are involved in creating a personality, the child might inherit certain behavioral traits from both parents. So, if you are aware of any mental health issues, consider refraining from donating your sperms.

Although India has a booming population, infertility in women in the reproductive age is quite high. As of 2018, childlessness affected 10%-14% of the population. Therefore, even if the chances of qualifying are not too bleak in this country, make sure to undergo all the screenings to meet the basic requirements.