At Inovi, couples and single men facing cancer treatments, testicular surgery or simply wanting to preserve fertility for future pregnancy are freezing sperm to safeguard their offspring.
Freezing sperm has many benefits. Couples getting ready for IVF, men recently diagnosed with cancer or simply finding a need to preserve sperm for future pregnancy are all candidates. If you haven’t thought about freezing your sperm to preserve your path to having biological children- think again.
The Journal of Clinical Medicine reports that “sperm cryopreservation” (sperm freezing) was adopted as a safe and effective alternative treatment for infertile couples since the 1970s. It has been used to store sperm for pending cancer treatments in patients prior to exposure to radiation, surgery or chemo-therapy.
Reasons for Sperm Freezing:
- Couples with Infertility Planning for IVF
- Cancer Diagnosis
- Non-Cancer Diagnosis Carrying Potential Gonad Toxicity Treatment
- Military Deployment
- Gender Reassignment
- Spinal Cord Injuries
- Ejaculation Issues and Dysfuntion
- Abdominopelvic Surgeries
- Need for Storage Prior to Vasectomy or Vasectomy Reversal
- Sperm Donor
Since pregnancy chances after vasectomy reversals are usually good, freezing your sperm prior to this procedure is not typically recommended and may be unnecessary. However, a discussion with Dr. Krotz and your Inovi team can help you make an informed decision.
When Should You Consider Sperm Freezing?
You should consider sperm freezing as soon as you think you may be at risk for infertility. We offer pre-freezing counseling to all men and women who want to discuss their options.
Inovi’s team will guide you and work with your oncologist, surgeon and primary care provider to maximize your chances to preserve the most viable sperm possible. We provide a private setting for this process of collection of semen sample.
According to recent studies, one of the simplest and basic ways to prepare for future fertility is through sperm freezing (semen cryopreservation). If the count and quality of your sperm within the semen specimen is of good quality, it can be used to aid in a successful pregnancy with intrauterine insemination (IUI) or in vitro fertilization (IVF).
If you have ejaculation or other functional issues, we have special collection means to assist you to achieve your future fertility goals if necessary.
FAQs
What is the Sperm Freezing Process?
Ideally a male sperm should come from someone 40 years of age or younger as recommended by The American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) and Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology. This is based on findings that advanced age brings an increase in defects seen in the sperm genomes potentially leading to decreased fertility in men.
Steps for Your Sperm Freezing
- Semen sample provided through masturbation or testicular sperm extraction
- Samples frozen
- Long or short term storage based on your pregnancy goals
Once your sample is taken, it will be evaluated for quality and motility. Typically, these pre-freeze parameters have been shown to be an accurate predictor of post-thaw sperm motility and viability. After this determination of your sample is made, it will be processed with a cryoprotectant for freezing and stored. On occasion it may be washed in a centrifuge to separate the seminal plasma as recommended by American Society for Reproductive Medicine in special cases such as HIV patients.
When you are ready to use your sperm in the future, it will be thawed and can be used in IUI or in vitro fertilization.
Sperm Freezing Costs
Sperm freezing costs vary from center to center and also on the number of semen specimens collected and banked. You can also expect to pay for the blood testing that is necessary. Storage fees are usually separate depending on the duration of the storage and particular facility.