Everything You Need to Know About Sperm Freezing
Have you considered freezing your sperm? There can be many different reasons why you would want to freeze and store your sperm for later use. The global increase in male infertility and the wish to preserve the possibility to have children later in life make it a good option for more and more people.
Whether you’re concerned that lifestyle factors or medical reasons may impact your fertility or simply may wish to explore options for family planning, this blog post will shed light on some of the benefits and possibilities that come with storing and freezing your sperm.
What is Sperm Freezing and Storage?
Freezing and storing your own sperm is a way to future-proof your dreams by preserving your ability to conceive later in life. If you have purchased donor sperm for your fertility treatment, you can also store that for later use to ensure that your preferred donor’s sperm remains available - or you can store sperm from a donor who is known to you, and who has agreed to donate to you.
At Born, we can store your sperm safely and effectively via cryopreservation. Read more about our different storage options to help you keep your sperm safe for future use: sperm storage and sperm freezing, how do we do it?
5 Reasons to Consider Freezing Your Sperm for Fertility Preservation
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1) You are Having a Vasectomy
A vasectomy is an effective male birth control surgical procedure. During treatment, the doctor blocks your sperm ducts which prevents the release of sperm from the testes. While this procedure is reversible, success reduces over time, and sperm storage may be a more reliable solution. If you freeze your sperm before undergoing a vasectomy, you don't need a vasectomy reversal in case you change your mind about having a child.
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2) You Need Cancer Treatment
You may consider freezing your sperm if you have been diagnosed with prostate or testicular cancer. Treating this type of cancer may involve removing your testes. Freezing your sperm will hopefully ensure that you are able to use your sperm at a later time. Moreover, treatment for other forms of cancer includes radiation therapy and chemotherapy. These treatment procedures can destroy your sperm cells, significantly reducing your conception chances.
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3) You Want Children Later in Life
As age advances,it may affect fertility and sperm quality. Moreover, children born to older fathers are at higher risk of congenital anomalies. Therefore, you may consider freezing your sperm if:
● You are unsure of your future course in life
● You want to postpone having children and focus on professional or personal development
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4) You are Undergoing Surgery
Some medical procedures like gender reassignment surgery may affect your sperm production ability. If you are transgender and plan to undergo procedures which may impact your reproductive options, freezing some of your sperm to be used in the future is also an option to preserve their fertility .
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5) You Have a Hazardous Occupation
Some jobs involve a higher risk of exposure to accidents, chemicals, and toxic gasses that may affect your sperm quality. For example:
● Military work
● Painting
● Welding
● Construction
● Athletics
If your occupation is in such a risky environment, you may consider freezing your sperm as well so you can use it at a later date.
By freezing your own sperm, you can donate it or use it in the future. There are several reasons why you may want to consider freezing your sperm, including:
How to Freeze and Store Your Sperm
To get started with freezing and storing your sperm, please get in touch with us by mail or phone. We will start by sending over some paperwork before mapping out the next steps for collecting, screening, testing, freezing, and storing your sperm safely and effectively via cryopreservation, where your sperm is stored in liquid nitrogen tanks at a temperature of -196 degrees Celsius.
What Is the Best Age to Freeze Your Sperm Sample?
If you are fit and healthy, you can freeze your sperm at any age. However, you probably deliver your best quality sperm in young adulthood. Moreover, advanced paternal age is related to some congenital disorders in children. Freezing sperm earlier in your life will help reduce this risk. You will then have better quality sperm for conception when you are ready to start a family.
Can You Freeze Sperm at Home?
No, you cannot store semen in your own freezer at home. A regular freezer is only -18 degrees Celsius, which is not cold enough for the sperm cells to survive. Sperm banking requires precise steps and a unique facility to ensure the sperm remains healthy. Most importantly, your sperm needs to be frozen and stored at minus 196 degrees Celcius using the right equipment. However, you might be able to collect your semen sample at home if you feel more comfortable doing that.
Sperm to be stored for long periods at a time is possible. So you can decide how long you want your sperm to be stored and can of course withdraw your consent if you no longer wish to have it stored.
How Long Does Sperm Freezing work?
If the freezing process is done correctly, you can choose to freeze and store your sperm for as long as you need. When you wish to use your sperm, it's carefully thawed in the lab until it reaches room temperature. Cryopreservation does not impact the genetic material and keeps the specimens viable for an indefinite period. In fact, pregnancies have been achieved using frozen sperm that has been stored for up to 40 years.
How Much Does Sperm Storage Cost at our Sperm Bank?
At Born, personal sperm storage is priced at 990 euros and includes:
- 1 year of storage
- 2 donations - resulting in 2 or more units, depending on the volume and quality of the sperm.
- Sperm analysis, purification, and cryopreservation.
Donor sperm storage fees are priced at 45 euros for 3 months and 155 euros for a year. Please don’t hesitate to reach out with the specifics of your situation so we can guide you to the best solution.
Conclusion
Storing and freezing your sperm can be a great option if you want to safeguard your fertility, explore possibilities, or navigate life's unpredictable twists and turns. By taking this proactive step, you're empowering yourself with choices, ensuring that your dreams can be pursued on your terms. If you have any questions about freezing your sperm, the costs, or the ordering process, please reach out to us by mail or phone.
FAQ
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Is Freezing Sperm a Good Idea?
Freezing sperm can be a good idea because it can allow you to preserve your fertility and have children in the future.
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Can You Freeze Sperm and Use It Later?
If the sperm is frozen and stored correctly, sperm can be frozen indefinitely at a sperm bank facility.
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