will anyone destroy my sample without me knowing?
When you first store your sperm, you will be asked to fill in a legal consent form. The consent form sets out the conditions you agree to for your sample to be kept in storage. You should be given a copy of the consent form. You are legally allowed to keep your samples in storage until you are 55 years old. You can ask for them to be destroyed before that time, if you decide you no longer need them.
The sperm bank should send you a letter from time to time asking if you still want to keep your samples in storage. It is important that you reply to these letters. You also need to let the sperm bank know if you change your address. The sperm bank can’t destroy your sperm without having taken reasonable steps to contact you.
The sperm bank will not destroy your samples unless you:
- ask them to
- reach the age of 55
- do not respond when they contact you (they will usually try more than once), so it's important to keep in touch with them.
who else will know that I’ve got sperm stored?
Usually, the only people who know you have stored sperm are the staff at the sperm bank. They don’t tell anyone else unless you have given written permission for other people to know. When you first stored your sample, the sperm bank should have asked you to give them names of people you were happy for them to discuss your samples with. You can change this information at any time.
when and how can I use my sperm?
Information about using your stored sperm is covered in the section types of fertility treatment.
