If you or someone you know is a healthy man between the ages of 18 and 39, you may have what it takes to become a sperm donor. Since the number of women and couples who choose to extend their families with the help of donor gametes continues to grow, sperm donors are in high demand across the U.S. and the world. Currently, there is a need for us to diversify our ethnic selection of sperm donors, especially African American, Latino, and Hispanic men. These groups are in high demand yet...

  As a Client Services Coordinator at Seattle Sperm Bank, Kandy Lindstrom keeps busy. She handles multiple duties ranging from interacting with donors and potential donors to fulfilling Internet orders. But she spends the bulk of her time talking with clients and helping them start families. This includes helping with photo matching, answering questions about the process, and matching women and couples with the right donor. In this interview, Kandy shares advice for choosing a donor, what...

  For many women and couples, their first step toward parenthood with donor sperm is performing a home insemination. Some people find this to be a more comfortable and affordable method of conception compared to starting off in a clinical environment. This procedure, also known as intracervical insemination or “ICI,” can be an effective option for women with no fertility issues that can complicate their efforts. It involves using a plastic, needle-less syringe to inject the donor sperm...

  At Seattle Sperm Bank, we work hard to make acquiring your donor sperm as convenient and stress-free as possible. Below, we walk you through the most important steps for purchasing, ordering, and storing the vials of donor sperm you’ll need for your upcoming procedure. Before you order, of course, you must first choose your sperm donor. If you have not yet selected your donor, our online donor search is the best place to get started. If you need assistance selecting a donor, we offer...

Understanding your ovulation cycle is essential when you’re trying to get pregnant. Unless you have a known fertility issue, practicing good fertility awareness can dramatically increase your chance of conceiving. Plus, it’s inexpensive (if not free) and has no negative side effects. It’s one of the safest and most effective ways of improving your fertility. Below is a look at the most effective fertility awareness methods. Whether the method tracks your body temperature, cervical fluid, or...

According to an October 17, 2016, presentation at the American Society for Reproductive Medicine congress, there may be a correlation between soft drinks and decreased female fertility. The research was done by nutritionists at the Federal University of Sao Paulo, Brazil, who interviewed 524 women currently undergoing IVF treatment about the foods and drinks they consume. The findings suggest regularly drinking soft drinks may reduce a woman’s chance of getting pregnant. This was true whether...

  Many factors can affect your fertility including genetics, your age, your weight, various lifestyle choices, and others. But there’s another, often hidden factor you may not have considered: stress. Stress is unique because it’s so hard to control and it affects everyone differently. Yet avoiding stress is virtually impossible for anyone, particularly women actively trying to conceive, which can be stressful enough by itself. Plus, research has linked high stress levels with irregular...

  At Seattle Sperm Bank, we only use sperm samples from carefully screened donors. This helps ensure the health and safety of you and your child should you successfully conceive. Though the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has existing regulations for sperm donation, our internal vetting process is even more rigorous. This has been the case since we opened, and we continually look for ways to improve our screening process to better protect you. Becoming a sperm donor is more difficult...

  When you're trying to get pregnant, even minor lifestyle adjustments can have positive effects. Plus, unlike genetics, these are things largely within your control. Following the tips below may increase your fertility and your chances of conception. Be sure to discuss these ideas with your doctor or midwife to create a plan specific to you, your body type, and your ovulation cycle. Watch Your Caffeine Like most lifestyle choices, moderation is key. And that includes caffeine, which many...