Hi all I’m looking for anyone who has advice on buying sperm, our situation is this...
Unsuccessful micro teasse for my husband
We are now awaiting sperm allocation from liverpool Hewitt centre, we’ve been told were 46 on the list and at the mokent waiting list is 5months I feel it will be more like 8-12 months because they’ve said there is a shortage and their waiting on sperm from Californian sorry bank to be approved etc.
We’re now thinking of buying sperm , roughly £2300 for 3 vials / go’s from Manchester fertility centre , having this sent to liverpool hewit and beginning ivf/ICSI on the NHS, we would be bypassing the long wait for sperm allocation ??? Has anyone done this?
I cannot bare waiting anymore (journey began April 2016) I want to get stuck into ivf and see if it works for us - we have 2 go’s at it as we live in Wales 😒.
I’m sick of our lives being on hold ?! Sorry to rant but any info or experiences with this would be much appreciated right now xxx
Not done this but did look into something similar before my OH had his Microtese. Have you spoken to the Hewitt centre? If your buying the sperm yourself they may be able to book you in quicker. Im not sure how it works on NHS though as we had to go private. X
• in reply to
Thanks .. we have an appointment on Friday so we will hopefully find out the options available then but the way it’s been left is that they will just contact us when we get to the top of the list... 😒
I’d be interested to see if anybody has already done what we’re thinking of doing xx
• in reply to
Yes keep us posted. The consultants in the Hewitt are understanding. Im sure if you're willing to pay they will prioritise your ivf/ icsi. I will keep my fingers crossed for you. I know its so frustrating with waiting all the time. It seems like never ending tests/scans and time in between. Good luck X
• in reply to
Yes your right, let’s see what Friday brings. Where are you up to ? Xx
• in reply to
Flights and hotel all booked were off to Cyprus in 3 weeks for tandem cycle. Dont think its sunk in yet! Im trying to remain calm. I suffer with anxiety so this is my calm time before panic sets in! Taking everything slowly one step at a time. I pray this works for us this time X
• in reply to
Oh wow that’s amazing! I know a woman in work that had succes with Cyprus tandem cycle I will keep everything crossed for you !!!!! Keep calm and take it slow is the best thing to do, you sound like your doing amazing😘
Can I ask what you have had here in the uk? Xxx
• in reply to
Thankyou xx Ive had 2 rounds of ICSI with Access Fertility both failed. Due to my age was recommended i go to Cyprus for donor. The only problem is my OH needs microtese op once again in Cyprus as the UK wont allow his frozen sperm to be flown there xx
• in reply to
Oh really, bless him!... I wish you both all the luck in the world ! Xxx
We were faced with the same situation after my husband has an unsuccessful op too. Just so hard going isn’t it?!
We decided to buy the sperm in. Our clinic (Guys Hospital) gave us a list of approved sperm banks we could use. It was a surreal and difficult process choosing the donor (especially at the beginning for my husband, just so hard to get your head around everything anyway after the op, and I think it was all just too much to start with), but we stuck with it and found a donor we’re happy with.
We used the California Cryobank in the end. Once we’d made the decision it was very straight forward - there was paperwork for us and our clinic to complete, then the clinic and the centre organised all the transportation and storage. We decided to go for two vials to start with. It was expensive, but as you said, the waiting was just too much on top of everything else!
Oh wow that’s the same as us and yes totally overwhelming experience but you do just have to keep plodding on! Thanks for sharing with me . I hope you are both more settled with the situation now....
Can I ask if you had success? ICSI? And did you continue with NHS treatment after buying sperm yourself ?.. xx xx xx
Yep, definitely coming to better terms with everything as time has gone on. We joined the Donor Conception Network and went to a couple of meetings which were helpful. We met a couple there who we’ve stayed in touch with too which has been a good supper.
We did the first three rounds of IVF with the NHS at Guys Hospital, and have actually decided to stay on with them now we’re private.
We were really fortunate with the original egg collection and fertilising - we ended up with six blastocysts. Unfortunately we’re now four embryos down (two bfn, one missed miscarriage at 8 weeks and one before it even really got started - think they say a chemical pregnancy), but still two left and have decided to go ahead with fifth round and transfer both together. Keeping everything crossed fifth time lucky!xxx
Oh wow you guys have been through a lot, my heart goes out to you both. I wish all the luck in the world for your next round ! I will be thinking of you... we’ve been going at it for nearly 3 years now and not even one round of ivf I just feel the singer that begins the better I hate this waiting around to possibly not get pregnant anyway!... it’s so cruel but being in here makes you realise your not alone. Xxx
Completely agree - the waiting and limbo is really hard. Once we got started and felt like we were at least doing something to try to move forward it did start to feel better. And definitely always good to remember we’re not alone. Wishing you all the luck with the upcoming decisions and steps. You’ll find a good way forward I’m sure! Shout if helpful to talk anything else through x x
We are currently purchasing our sperm from the UK one you mention. Still going through the selection process. They keep it fairly simple with the family slot and delivery all included.
They send you 2 profiles at a time, based on what you tell them you want. You then have 3-5 days to decide if you want to buy it or release it to see 2 more.
We’re doing ours privately but only because I’m now 36 and don’t want to wait. I’d imagine that your NHS treatment can start as soon as the sperm is in the clinic (that seems to be the general rule)
I would say to make sure that your treatment clinic are ok with the donor clinic that you are using. We had to move clinic as ours flat refused to allow us to use Manchester and said it was their policy to only use the European sperm bank and we couldn’t find any donor matches with them. I tried everything to convince them but they would not allow it and so we had to move! X
Ok, I know London sperm bank works with our clinic but I’m hoping to get all info on available sperm banks this Friday when we’re there. I’m with you on the waiting ! Awful isn’t it. Do you know how long until you start your ivf with your allocated sperm? Xx
As soon as our sperm Is in the clinic we are good to go really. I can start at my next period.
Our issue has always been choosing a donor, my OH finds issues with them all. We’ll make a decision soon though as he’s being too picky and I’ve been allowing him to be that way because Its been such an awful experience but there is no perfect donor, none of them are him and he needs to accept this.
We are giving IUI one shot and then moving to IVF if it doesn’t x
Great idea I hope to see a positive post from you in the near future! All the best I’m sure we will see eahothers updates on here. I really hope your husband is ok it’s so difficult but I’m sure once the decision has been made and the treatment begins he will be so excited xxxx
We used the London sperm bank for our donor sperm. As I understand it you can purchase it and it can be sent to any clinic in the UK for use in your cycle. There isnt a waiting list and they have an online search facility to help choose. We paid £950.
We have in the sense of 8 out of 12 eggs got fertilised using this and all were 5 day blastocysts. Had 1 put back last year and froze the rest. Unfortunately got a bfp but that ended in an ectopic. We are having 2 of our frozen embabies put back next month x
Hi. Not the same fertility issues but we have bought sperm- 5 straws. We used the European Sperm Bank and it was so quick. It was also cheaper than you’ve described above. Similar to the description of the London bank there is a search form that lets you know what’s available. Stocks change from day to day so don’t be put off if it seems there isn’t much availability. We have such a different views of donation in the U.K. compared to the rest of Europe that they seem to have good stocks and a range of donors. From choosing a donor to delivery of sperm it was 4 days. Good luck x
Great thanks!... how did you get on with your one go ??... is it worth waiting for 2 free nhs goes or pay for one lot of sperm once or maybe twice to use with free nhs ivf??... So we can get going now?.......
So we were very lucky - we collected lots of eggs to start with.
13 fertilised>10 to day 3>8 to day 5 and of very good quality.
We got pregnant twice (2 for 2 so far!) but miscarried both by 7 weeks. About to start our next frozen cycle so hoping 3rd time lucky!
For us, We decided to go private rather NHS so couldn’t tell you best options but my view is : £900 towards treatment to help you start your family is worth every penny. If you can afford it I would bite the Bullet and do it. You will also have more choice to choose from and can begin immediately. That then means the nhs donor sperm can help someone else who can’t afford it. It really comes down to your circumstances
I bought sperm but from a Danish sperm bank called Cryos international. They can ship to home address if self inseminating or direct to your clinic. Cost me around £1000 per go with 3 straws/vials of sperm per go. I conceived both times despite being told I had no chance. First ended in a chemical pregnancy then 7 weeks later tried again and now have an almost 1 year old little boy xx. dk.cryosinternational.com/
Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.
Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.
Poor sperm
Long wait for sperm retrieval 
Improving sperm count & motility is possible!
Sperm donor
Looking for support and advise around using a sperm donor for IUI
