9 Myths About Sperm Banks

Modern technology has allowed for many medical miracles in a variety of fields. One medical development allows for any woman to have a child, regardless of her relationships or status.

Sperm banks, like European Sperm Bank USA, are a major source for women and couples of all forms to help in the conception of a child.

There are, however, a few misconceptions about what sperm banks are and how they work. Here are some notable myths about the sperm bank industry and artificial insemination:

Myth #1: "Sperm banking is a new and unknown technology"
False. This form of conception technology has been around for almost half a century now. The first two sperm banks were opened in Iowa City, Iowa and Tokyo, Japan in 1965.

Myth #2: "Few people ever use this method"
False. Approximately one in eight infertile couples require the use of donor sperm to conceive. One type of insemination procedure uses a syringe to place semen into a woman's vagina to assist her in getting pregnant. Another procedure, called intrauterine insemination, is most common. A physician uses a thin, flexible tube called a catheter to place the sperm into the woman's reproductive tract.

Myth #3: "Few children are born with this process"
False. American medical experts say the number of donor inseminated births is somewhere between 4,000-5,000 births per year.

Myth #4: "A man's sperm count will be the same each time it's examined under a microscope"
False. A man's sperm count will vary. The number of sperm and motility can be affected by: time between ejaculations, illness, and medications.

Myth #5: "Age is not one of the main reasons behind secondary fertility"
False. Many couples have no problem conceiving their first child while in their 20's, yet struggle conceiving a second child when they are in their 30's.

Myth #6: "The entire process from conception till birth is different"
False. For women who use a sperm donor, treatment by a doctor will be no different. Conception achieved with donor sperm is no different from conception by using partner sperm, and it is also no different from conception achieved by sexual intercourse.

Myth #7: "Infertility is not a medical illness and treatment is not covered by insurance"
False. Infertility is a medical illness and treatment is sometimes covered by insurance.

Myth #8: "Sperm banks are not required to follow strict regulations regarding donor testing and screening"
False. All sperm banks, including European Sperm Bank USA, are required by the FDA to test donors before taking full units of semen in order to screen for any potential problems. Donors are tested for sexually transmitted diseases, any genetic disorders and virility of the sperm.

Myth #9: "There is little chance I will conceive"
False. Health experts say the chances are good for a woman to conceive using artificial insemination. A woman's reproductive potential declines with age. But as long as there are no infertility factors related to the woman, 60-70 percent will be pregnant after six to nine months of insemination treatments.