IUI and IVF treatment using donor sperm can be offered to patients who cannot produce sperm and cannot be helped by Surgical Sperm Retrieval.
The normal practice is to obtain donor sperm from sperm banks for use for treatment. However, the recent change of law relating to sperm donors anonymity has made it almost impossible to get donor sperm in the UK. As a result some patients are having to import donor sperm from the United States. This is done under strict HFEA guidelines, and we are happy to facilitate the process.
More information can be obtained by contacting the unit.
Some women prematurely stop producing eggs, whilst others repeatedly produce a very low number of poor quality eggs (or none at all) when stimulated for IVF/ICSI. These patients can be treated using donated eggs fertilised by the partner's sperm. The resulting embryos are then transferred into the female partner.
There is a severe shortage of egg donors throughout the country, therefore this type of treatment can only be offered to couples who can provided their own donor.
To help our patients who need donated eggs or sperm, we have started working with Alrui, an organisation that has recently been set up to help those who need donated eggs or sperm. 'Altrui' helps couples seek an anonymous altruistic donor of eggs or sperm for their own exclusive use. It is run by Alison Bagshawe who, until recently, was our Senior Fertility Counsellor for 20 years and so completely understands the difficulties faced by people who need a donor. She is ideally qualified and experienced to make a real difference to people in this position by making the whole process of finding a donor much easier, quicker and simpler for everyone. Find out more at www.altrui.co.uk|
Couples who undergo treatment using donated sperm and eggs are recognised by law as the legal parents of the resulting child.
All couples using donated sperm and eggs will receive counselling (implication counselling) before treatment is started.