Sperm Banks
When deciding on a source of sperm, you should consider all options. UtahSpermDonor.org is one option, while the traditional sperm bank is another. If your considering a sperm bank, here are some things to consider:Costs:
Costs for artificial insemination can vary widely depending on whether or not there are fertility issues and where the sperm comes from. Costs can include:
- The cost of donor sperm (sperm banks charge $150-$550 per vial plus shipping)
- The cost of fertility monitoring equipment (home use)
- The cost of physician office visits
- The cost of investigation and diagnosis (if there is a fertility issue)
- The cost of drug therapy
- The cost of the AI procedure
- The cost of the hospital stay
Utah Healthcare:
Utah has several doctors available for reproductive assistance. If you are going to have your doctor perform the insemination, they will have you provide your own donor or require that you purchase sperm from a licensed sperm bank. However, there are no sperm banks in Utah forcing you to use one out of state, which also gives you an out of state biological father.
Most donated sperm is anonymous, meaning you will never know who he is and he will never know who you are. Many sperm banks now offer a variety of more open donors, men who are willing to release their identity when the child is 18, and a very few even before that. The cost of open donor sperm is often much higher.Â
Sperm Bank Insemination Methods:
Sperm banks offer sperm specifically prepared for the three different methods of artificial insemination (AI) , IUI, ICI and IVF. Each one is fairly invasive.
Intracervical Insemination (ICI) - this method uses unwashed sperm. ICI is the easiest and cheapest way to inseminate and involves depositing sperm high into the cervix with a needless syringe. This method mimics how sperm is introduced to the cervix during vaginal intercourse.
Intrauterine Insemination (IUI) - this method requires washed sperm (sperm removed from the seminal fluid). IUI is performed by a doctor and the washed sperm is injected directly into the uterus.
In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) - this method uses unwashed sperm. IVF is performed by a doctor outside of the recipient's body. Her eggs are harvested (or donor eggs are used), and sperm is introduced in the lab until fertilization occurs and then placed into the recipient's uterus. This is the most expensive and usually the last resort when other methods of assisted reproduction have failed.
