Sperm donation – 5 top tips for choosing a sperm donor

Navigating sperm donation: expert tips from the world’s biggest bank

Hi, I’m Eloise, Founder of The Ribbon Box. As some of you may know, I have five children conceived via sperm donation after my husband’s unsuccessful micro-TESE sperm extraction. Choosing a sperm donor is a big part of our story.

When we first began the process of choosing a sperm donor, we felt completely overwhelmed. How do you even begin to select the genetic characteristics of your future child—especially when it means replacing your partner’s DNA?

Having faced this challenge firsthand, I know how deeply personal and emotional the process can be. It’s also a topic we hear about regularly from our readers. Many find themselves unsure of where to start, and a little expert guidance can make all the difference. That’s why we reached out to Cryos International, the world’s largest sperm bank, to share their top tips on choosing a sperm donor with confidence.

Here’s what Cryos had to say…

1. Decide how much information you want about your donor

Every recipient has different preferences when it comes to donor details. Some want as much information as possible—childhood photos, personality traits, family history—while others prefer to focus on basic characteristics like hair and eye colour or ethnicity.

With Cryos’ free Donor Search, you can browse both extended donor profiles (which include detailed background information) and basic donor profiles (which provide only essential details). Exploring both options can help you determine what feels right for you.

2. Consider whether your child should have the option to contact the donor

One of the biggest decisions in sperm donation is whether you want your child to have the ability to contact their donor in the future. Cryos offers two donor types:

• ID release donors – When your child turns 18, they will have access to the donor’s identifying information.
• Non-ID release donors – No identifying information is provided to you or your child.

While Non-ID release donors were once considered fully anonymous, advancements in DNA testing, social media, and ancestry services mean that anonymity may not be guaranteed in the future. This is an important factor to keep in mind when making your choice.

3. Decide whether you want to see photos of your sperm donor (as an adult)

As you explore donor profiles, you’ll have the option to view photos. The question is, do you want to see them?

Some recipients find that seeing a photo of the donor as an adult helps them feel more connected to their choice, while others prefer to focus on childhood images or select a donor without any photos at all. There’s no right or wrong approach—just what feels best for you.

4. Save your favourite donors to make the selection process easier

With so many donor profiles to browse, narrowing down your options can feel overwhelming. That’s why Cryos’ Donor Search allows you to save your favourite donors. By marking the ones that match your criteria, you can create a shortlist—perhaps five or ten profiles—to revisit later. This gives you time to reflect and make your final choice at your own pace.

5. Consider reserving sperm straws for future treatment or siblings

Once you’ve chosen a donor, you’ll place an order for sperm straws. To ensure consistency throughout your fertility journey, you might want to reserve additional straws—especially if:

• You may need multiple treatment cycles to conceive. Reserving extra straws ensures availability from your chosen donor. If you don’t use them all, Cryos offers a 75% refund on unused straws.
• You’d like future children to share the same genetic heritage. Many families choose to use the same donor for siblings, but donor availability isn’t guaranteed over time. Reserving straws now secures this option for the future.

Before purchasing, ask your clinic how many straws they recommend per cycle to help guide your decision.

Choosing a sperm donor is a deeply personal journey, and we know it takes time and thoughtful consideration. If you have any questions, Cryos’ dedicated customer service team is here to help—you can reach them by phone or email for guidance at any stage of the process.