Donor treatment

Treatment with donated sperm is used when the man has a lack of sperm production, and it may also be applicable when the man carries genetic traits that pose a risk of passing on severe hereditary diseases. Sperm donation treatment is also offered to same-sex couples and single women.

We have no waiting times for treatment with donated gametes; sperm is readily available.

Treatment with donated eggs can be performed when a woman has impaired ovarian function. It may also be indicated when there is a high risk of passing on hereditary diseases and when IVF treatments do not yield results. Egg donation treatment involves the woman receiving unfertilized eggs from a donor, which are then fertilized with the man's sperm or donated sperm and transferred back to the woman.

In double donation treatment, both donated eggs and donated sperm are used. Double donation is offered to couples and single individuals. This is only allowed in Sweden, not Norway, due to regulations.

Before an investigation is conducted to determine if the social, psychological, and medical prerequisites are met. As part of the investigation, a mandatory consultation with a psychologist or behavioral scientist is also conducted.

The search for a suitable donor begins, and the matching is done based on Swedish and Norwegian recommendations. External characteristics such as eye color, hair color, height, and ethnicity form the basis for the matching. In Sweden, only an open donor can be used, meaning that the child, upon reaching maturity, has the right to learn about its genetic origin.

In donor IVF, donated sperm and/or eggs are used, and double donation (only in Sweden) is also offered.

In donor IVF, donated sperm and/or eggs are used. We primarily work with frozen eggs and sperm. Fertilization is carried out with IVF/ICSI at the IVF laboratory. In IVF, also known as in vitro fertilization, the sperm fertilizes an egg outside the woman's body. In ICSI, a sperm is injected directly into the egg.

Mobile sperm and eggs are brought together in a culture dish in the laboratory to facilitate fertilization. The transfer of an embryo occurs after 2-6 days and is reintroduced when the woman's uterine lining has an optimal appearance and high receptivity for an embryo. The treatment to prepare for this consists of tablets containing estrogen combined with suppositories containing progesterone. If more than one embryo is formed, the remaining ones are frozen and can be used in future treatments.

Insemination with donated sperm is performed at our fertility clinics in Uppsala and Stockholm, and the treatment is offered to both couples and single individuals. Donated sperm is handled according to applicable legislation, which means that only known donors are allowed. This ensures that the child has the right to learn about their genetic origin when they reach maturity. Sperm selection is primarily based on external characteristics.

How does the insemination process work?
Insemination is conducted after a positive ovulation test in a natural cycle or, alternatively, in connection with a stimulated cycle where the day of ovulation is regulated with hormones. The sperm sample is prepared to isolate the best sperm, which is then injected into the woman's uterus using a thin catheter. Usually, insemination is painless and straightforward to perform.

The number of required treatments is individual. If repeated inseminations do not result in pregnancy, IVF treatment may become a consideration.