British men are trying to lure women desperate for a baby into unprotected sex under the pretense that it is more successful than fertility treatments.
MailOnline has found dozens of men on a sperm donor matching website claiming that natural insemination will increase the chances of a baby or help ensure a healthy newborn.
These men present the “traditional” method as a better alternative to IVF or home insemination kits, where donated semen can be injected into the vagina.
The UK’s independent regulator of fertility treatments, the Human Fertilization and Embryology Authority (HFEA), has warned women to “never” agree to have sex with a sperm donor because of the dangers.
And fertility experts told MailOnline the men’s claims were completely false, and urged women and couples to avoid them.
Meet some of the British men offering their sperm online with dubious claims of natural insemination. Don’t worry, they insist it’s not a perverted thing.
In one such profile on Co-ParentMatch.com, Jason, who claims to be a 50-year-old driving instructor from Nottingham, said: “Sorry, but the old way works.
“It’s not a perverse thing, [I] Just feel that there are girls and ladies [sic] who cannot imagine using the new methods or who cannot afford the high price.’
He added: “It will just be sex for this one thing.”
Another user, said to be a 38-year-old London IT worker named Jack, who described himself as a “polite and respectful gentleman,” argued that natural insemination “increases the chances of a healthy baby.”
And Sinbad, who claims to be a 34-year-old prison guard from London, claimed it was “undoubtedly the most effective way”. [rather] then mess around with jewels,” and that this is also the “Christian” way of doing things.
Other profiles seen on this site have made similar claims or offered to put women up for the “trial”, another thing the HFEA warns women about.
Some men also offered a partial insemination service, where they would masturbate and then have sex just before ejaculation.
A spokesperson for HFEA told MailOnline that anyone considering using a sperm donor outside of an approved clinic should exercise extreme caution.
“Anyone considering using a sperm donor outside of an HFEA-licensed fertility clinic should be aware that there may be serious health, legal and potential personal safety risks,” they said.
“This can put both mother and child at risk of disease and lead to future parental rights issues.”
One of the main red flags was a sperm donor’s insistence or attempt to convince a hopeful parent of the benefits of natural insemination.
“They may try to convince you that ‘natural’ insemination offers a better chance of conceiving than intrauterine insemination (IUI), but this is not necessarily the case,” the HFEA spokesperson said.
DR Tim Bracewell-Milnes, an expert in reproductive medicine from Imperial College London, said the fact that potential sperm donors were making these claims online was “alarming”.
“Couples trying to conceive, same-sex couples wanting a baby, or single women trying to conceive can be at great risk and these online donors seem to be trying to take advantage of them ,” he said.
He said that using a sperm donor who offers their services for free can indeed be cheaper than going to a fertility clinic, but it can be about getting what you pay for.
“It is always safer for patients to conceive with donor sperm at a fertility clinic,” he said.
“While online donations are cheaper, there are many reasons for this.”
Dr. Bracewell-Milnes added that in addition to checking whether the sperm is actually capable of fertilisation, licensed clinics also carry out a number of legal and health checks.
“Fertility clinics and sperm banks will ensure that all donors are rigorously screened for medical and sexual health,” he said.
“The relevant paperwork will be completed to ensure that the donor is not entitled to legal parental responsibility.”
He added that the men’s claims that natural insemination is more reliable or produces healthier offspring are false.
“This is not true at all,” he said.
Dr Bracewell-Milnes said that between the ages of 35 and 37, the general age at which most fertility treatments are considered, a woman has a 1 in 10 chance of conceiving naturally.
In contrast, a technique called intrauterine insemination (IUI) – in which a highly concentrated sample of sperm is injected deep into the vagina through a special tube – has a 12 percent success rate per month.
IVF, in which an egg is stimulated, retrieved, fertilized and then implanted directly into the uterus, has a 35 percent success rate per attempt.
“IUI or IVF will always be more successful monthly than natural insemination with a sperm donor,” Dr. Bracewell-Milnes.
Both IUI and IVF can be available on the NHS, although waiting times can be long.
It is also available privately, although with IUI over £700 and IVF £5,000 it can be expensive.
Home insemination kits, where donated semen is placed in a turkey-like device and then inserted into the vagina, are also available for as little as £2, but success rates can vary widely by model and technique.
Dr. Bracewell-Milnes also said he would advise women or couples to see a fertility specialist before starting any type of treatment to discuss their options.
An HFEA spokesman said: “Donor treatment can be expensive and there is limited NHS funding for using donor eggs or sperm, allowing patients to find their own donors online.”
“If you go through a private settlement, you don’t have the same security and legal protection, and there is no limit to the number of children born from the same donor.”
As with any sexual activity, natural insemination carries the risk of sexually transmitted infections.
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Crystal Leahy is an author and health journalist who writes for The Fashion Vibes. With a background in health and wellness, Crystal has a passion for helping people live their best lives through healthy habits and lifestyles.
