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

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.