Donor Sperm and Female Fertility Blog

When Biology Meets Bureaucracy: Why U.S. Sperm Donor Regulation Is (Finally) Changing

For decades, sperm donation in the United States has existed at the intersection of biology, medicine, ethics, and, increasingly, law. While the science of reproduction has advanced rapidly, regulation has often lagged, leaving families, donors, and professionals navigating a system built for a very different era. That gap is beginning to close. Across the U.S., conversations about donor conception are shifting from whether oversight should evolve to how it should, and who should be at the...

What If I Regret This? – The Side of Donor Conception No One Talks About

Deciding to pursue donor conception can be filled with hope, relief, and excitement, but it can also spark a question that quietly lingers in the back of so many minds: What if I regret this someday? For many intended parents, that worry isn’t a flaw; it’s a deep, human response to making one of the most meaningful decisions of a lifetime. While donor conception also has incredible stories of joy and fulfillment, it’s important to talk openly about the emotional questions that don’t always...

The Hidden Grief of Infertility: Why Choosing a Donor Isn’t “Giving Up”

Infertility has a way of quietly rearranging your expectations. Long before medical decisions are made, many people experience a private grief, not always for a child they haven’t yet met, but for the story they thought their family would follow. For some, that grief surfaces when donor conception enters the conversation. Choosing donor sperm can stir complicated emotions: sadness, fear, guilt, relief, hope, often all at once. And yet, despite how common donor conception has become, it’s still...

COVID-19, Vaccines, and Donor Sperm

What We Know (and Why We Don't List Vaccine Status) Every so often, we hear a version of the same question: Can I choose a sperm donor who has not had the COVID-19 vaccine? Understandably, people want clarity on this. COVID-19 remains a sensitive topic for many families, especially when fertility and future pregnancy are involved. Our goal is not to tell anyone what they should believe, but to share what current research and federal regulations actually say. With this information, you and your...

Plastics, Phthalates & Male Fertility: What You Should Know (Without the Panic)

If you've spent any time online lately, you've probably seen the headlines warning about plastics, chemicals, and declining sperm counts. A recent New York Times opinion piece even reignited concerns about whether everyday environmental chemicals, especially phthalates, could be quietly affecting male fertility. (If you're curious, you can read it here: Freeze sperm? Infertility? Chemicals?.) For individuals and couples building their families with donor sperm, these stories naturally raise...

When a Donor Has a Hidden Mutation: What the TP53 Case Means for Safe, Responsible Sperm Donation

When a Donor Has a Hidden Mutation: What the TP53 Case Means for Safe, Responsible Sperm Donation A recent BBC investigation drew international attention to a sperm donor who unknowingly passed on a mutation in the TP53 gene, a key tumor-suppressor gene associated with Li-Fraumeni syndrome, a rare hereditary cancer disorder. The case has raised understandable questions for intended parents, donor-conceived adults, and clinics. But it also highlights why modern screening protocols and adherence...

“Donor vs. Dad”: Untangling Language, Identity, and the Meaning of Parenthood

Words matter especially when they shape how we understand family, identity, and belonging. For families built through donor conception, the language used to describe a sperm donor can feel surprisingly emotional. Should you say “donor”? “Donor dad”? “Biological father”? Or something else entirely? Parents often ask us: What’s the “right” word? And what will help my child feel secure, loved, and grounded in their story? Let’s talk about why this language can feel complicated, and how families...

The Future of Donor Conception: AI, Genetics, and the Ethics of Choice

Conversations about donor conception have evolved dramatically over the past decade. What once centered mainly on health screenings and basic donor profiles now includes questions about AI tools, expanded genetic testing, and the ethical responsibilities that come with more information than ever before. We see firsthand how quickly the landscape is changing and how overwhelming it can feel for patients who are simply trying to make the best choice for their future family. The good news? With...

The Luteal Phase Explained And Why It Matters To Fertility

Learning about the luteal phase in your cycle is a powerful step, whether you are trying to conceive or simply want to understand your body. The luteal phase refers to the period after ovulation until menses, when your body prepares for potential implantation and pregnancy. So, a healthy luteal phase is key to achieving a successful pregnancy. In fact, luteal phase defects are one of the common reasons for infertility and miscarriage. In this blog, we will talk about what the luteal phase is,...

Why Male-Factor Infertility Needs More Attention

When infertility is discussed, the conversation often centers on women. But in reality, male-factor infertility plays a significant role in nearly half of all cases. At Seattle Sperm Bank, we believe it’s time to shine a brighter light on men’s reproductive health, with accuracy, empathy, and action. Understanding the Scope of the Issue The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) defines male-factor infertility as “the inability to conceive a child after one year of regular,...

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