Explore the Ideal Lifestyle for Sperm Donors

Do you know what it takes to become a sperm donor? Although it may not seem like it at first, there are a lot of things to keep in mind concerning your lifestyle if you ant to become a sperm donor. It definitely involves more than doing the actual donation. Being a sperm donor required a commitment to a healthy lifestyle. Your lifestyle greatly determines the quality of sperm that you have to offer families looking to have children. Here are some lifestyle considerations to keep in mind:

Consider Your Lifestyle Choices

As a sperm donor, your overall health and wellness should be a top priority. Your lifestyle should reflect that of someone who cares for themselves. Components of a healthy lifestyle include:

• Eat a balanced diet. This provides your body with antioxidants, minerals, vitamins, and other nutrients such as omega-3 fatty acids. A diet that consists of fruits, vegetables, lean protein, fish a couple of times a week, nuts and seeds, as well as proper hydration will help to ensure healthy sperm.
• Be physically active. Moderate exercise reduces oxidative stress which can damage sperm DNA, improves overall sperm quality, and helps to regulate reproductive hormones. Be sure not to over-exercise as this can have the opposite effect on the health of sperm.
• No smoking and drinking. These habits reduce sperm count, lower motility, and result in abnormal morphology. Limit drinks to 5 a week or fewer and avoid smoking in general.
• Taking care of mental health. Stress can lead to hormonal imbalances such as reduced testosterone. Testosterone is crucial for sperm production. Take time to relax and surround yourself with happy, positive people.

Know What to Do Before Donation Appointments 

We at Cascade Cryobank ask our donors to abstain for 48 – 72 hours prior to making a donation. What is the importance of abstaining? It takes approximately 64 days for sperm to fully mature. Periods of abstinence that are too long (over 72 hours) lead to more, but less motile and more damaged sperm, being stored in the epididymis until ejaculation takes place. Abstinence that is too short results in a lower amount of sperm in the epididymis. 48 – 72 hours of abstinence is the sweet spot when it comes to sperm donation.

Understand Your Medical Background

At Cascade Cryobank, we pride ourselves on running medical backgrounds that allow us to offer families the best when it comes to sperm. We want our donors to be healthy, with no past medical history of illnesses aside from the occasional cold, flu, and seasonal allergies. During our initial interview, we also collect an initial semen sample for evaluation.

For donors who we have deemed to have an exceptional personal character and produce specimens that are acceptable, we invite them back for a complete clinical and physical evaluation. Living a healthy lifestyle prior to applying helps immensely in being accepted. When a donor retires, we continue to test for infectious diseases for 6 months. We also require an annual check-up for up to 20 years in order to know their current health status. Your healthy lifestyle matters before, during, and after being a sperm donor.

Becoming a sperm donor puts a spotlight on your health, which benefits recipient families and yourself as well. Taking care of yourself will help you be the best donor that you can be.