How Does a Sperm Bank Work? A Simple Guide for Intended Parents Using a Sperm Donor

A sperm bank works by gathering, testing, freezing, and storing donor sperm so it's available for future fertility care. Whether you are navigating infertility challenges, in an LGBTQIA+ partnership, or choosing to become a parent on your own, understanding the sperm banking process can help you make confident decisions about your growing family.

What Is a Sperm Bank? 

A sperm bank is a specialized medical facility that provides donor sperm to individuals and families pursuing assisted reproduction. Beyond storing sperm, these centers also provide searchable databases of donor candidates, handle medical evaluations, and coordinate with fertility clinics to ensure samples are ready and accessible when treatment—either intrauterine insemination (UI) or in vitro fertilization (IVF)—begins.

The Sperm Bank Screening Process 

Trusting an anonymous sperm donor can be emotionally challenging, and understandably so. To ensure the best possible outcomes, sperm banks thoroughly vet their potential donors' physical and mental health before they can submit a sample and be added to the database. This vetting process includes tests for infectious diseases and genetic disorders. 

Qualified donors also participate in regular follow-up screenings to maintain their eligibility. Once approved, the sperm bank adds the donor's profile to its database, including information about physical attributes, medical history, and other personal details.  

After the sperm is collected, a sperm bank lab technician treats the sample with a special chemical to protect it during the freezing process. The sample is then gradually frozen and stored in a deep-freeze tank filled with liquid nitrogen. When properly frozen and stored, sperm can remain viable indefinitely. 

How Does Getting Sperm From a Sperm Bank Work? 

Once intended parents have chosen a donor, the sperm bank ships the frozen sample to their preferred fertility clinic, which then carefully thaws it in their lab until it reaches room temperature. 

The clinic will also test the sample to ensure that motile and active sperm are present. While freezing and thawing sperm can cause some damage to it, studies show that frozen sperm are just as likely to lead to a successful pregnancy and live birth as fresh sperm in IVF. 

Choosing a Sperm Donor: What Intended Parents Should Consider 

For many intended parents, choosing a sperm donor is one of the most emotional and meaningful steps in their family-building journey. It's exciting to imagine the future child you're hoping to welcome, but it can also feel overwhelming when you're suddenly faced with hundreds—sometimes thousands—of donor profiles. 

Most parents start by narrowing down the criteria that feel important to them. These might include: 

• Physical characteristics such as height, build, eye color, hair color, or resemblance to one partner 

• Ethnic, cultural, or religious background that reflects the identity you hope to share with your child 

• Education, career path, or personal interests, which can offer insights into a donor's personality 

• Medical and genetic history, which helps you evaluate long-term health considerations 

• Personal essays or audio interviews, which often provide the emotional "gut feeling" that helps IPs connect with one profile over another 

What many intended parents don't expect is how emotional this process can be. It's common to feel hopeful one moment and overwhelmed the next. You might wonder whether you're choosing the "right" donor, or whether you're even focusing on the right factors. These feelings are normal, and they're one of the reasons many families seek support instead of trying to navigate these profiles alone. 

Why a Curated Sperm Bank Search Matters 

With hundreds of sperm banks and agencies across the country—each with different standards, databases, and levels of transparency—finding the right donor on your own can feel like a full-time job. 

Many intended parents end up bouncing between databases, second-guessing their criteria, or feeling unsure about how to compare profiles that aren't presented consistently. That's where Donor Concierge's sperm donor search services can make an enormous difference. 

Our case managers work across 30+ FDA-approved sperm banks and agencies, combining your preferences with our search expertise to create a curated set of sperm donors that truly match what you're looking for. 

Instead of combing through endless profiles, you receive a thoughtfully vetted shortlist based on your priorities, whether that's ethnicity, physical traits, personality qualities, educational background, or values. 

This curated approach gives intended parents greater clarity, confidence, and emotional ease, all while ensuring you have access to a wide and diverse pool of donors without feeling lost in the process. 

Find Your Ideal Donor With Donor Concierge  

Finding the right sperm donor can feel overwhelming, but you don't have to search alone. Our case managers work across 30+ FDA-approved sperm banks and agencies to curate donor options that align with your preferences and priorities. Contact Donor Concierge to learn how we can support your donor search today.