Donation Process
Credit: Shutterstock / Elena Graham
CVM (Cervical Vaginal Mucus)
For our female donation process, CVM is collected with a menstrual disc. The insertion process is similar to a tampon. When inserting the disc, try and make sure that it is at a slight angle so that it will stay in place. So far, no one has had any issues, if it feels slightly wrong, don't stress!
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Here is a YouTube video demonstrating how to insert the menstrual disc that will be provided:
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After insertion, you will wear the disc for about 15-20 mins. During this time, we ask that you walk around some to help produce enough mucus for the sample. Many of us are different. After the first sample, if you notice there is not that much mucus, you should slightly increase the time for wearing the disc.
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Once your time is up, you will take out the disc and try to not touch it as much as possible to prevent any mucus from being taken off of the disc. We will provide you with a conical tube where you will pinch the disc and put it inside.
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You will fill out a questionnaire that is provided by us relating to the sample you are donating. For example: Sample #1 was given on 4/1/2025, your questionnaire will be filled out for Sample #1 on 4/1/2025.
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Forms Needed for Donation
Requirements
Alternative Option: Pending
An alternative option would be using a swab. As of right now, this option is currently pending and cannot be used yet. This will later be added to our new IRB Study. This will be similar to getting swabbed at your doctors office. The procedure will be slightly different than with the menstrual disc. If you are interested in this option, please let us know! We can keep you updated on this option for the future.
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Sperm
For our male donation, we ask that semen be collected in a medical specimen cup, which we will provide.
Donations can be done at home or on-site. If you decided to collect a sample at home, we ask that you please get us the sample within 2 hours of when sample was given. Please try to keep the sample warm the whole time. This will help ensure that the sperm count will be as high as possible and keep them alive.
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If the sample is provided on-site, we will escort you to a private room with a specimen box. Similar so the CVM donation, you will be asked to fill out a questionnaire per sample. For example: Sample #1 was given on 4/1/2025, your questionnaire will be filled out for Sample #1 on 4/1/2025.