Freezing Sperm Reasons, Procedure, Outcomes, and Costs

Freezing sperm to have a baby later is gaining much ground off late. Sperm freezing process is professionally carried out, and the outcome is positive. Due to work pressures or age, people tend to delay childbirth.

Freezing sperm can help preserve the chances of conceiving a biological baby in the future. It may in fact benefit people faced with cancer or a hazardous job.

Sperm donors are not the only ones who bank their sperm. People with no plans try to donate do it too as they prefer to have a baby another day.

The process of sperm banking, also known as sperm freezing or cryopreservation, is considered to be a superb method for couples (or single folks) to preserve their chances of conceiving a biological baby in the future, especially if the partner with testes happens to be in a high-risk profession or is about to undergo certain medical procedures or even treatments.

Who Benefits from Sperm Freezing?

Cancer Patients: Preserving Fertility Amid Medical Challenges

If a person has been diagnosed with testicular or prostate cancer, he may have been told that treatment can involve surgeries that remove one or both testicles.

Despite sperm freezing being more widely recognized as an option presently, it is still important to advocate for oneself if the person is in it.

Aging Individuals: Sperm Freezing as a Preemptive Measure

If a person approaches older adulthood, he might choose to freeze the sperm in order to preserve the chances of having children. Semen quality does decrease with age, as sperm concentration, morphology (size and shape), and mobility all tend to decline.

Hazardous Jobs and Travel Concerns: Sperm Banking for Safety

If working at hazardous worksites or even deployed in the military, they may opt to bank the sperm.

Few people freeze their sperm if traveling to areas of the world with Zika, a virus that can be passed to another person via semen.

Surgical Procedures and Medical Treatments: Ensuring Fertility Preservation

If undergoing certain surgeries, the person might decide to freeze sperm to preserve the chances of having a biological child.

People with other reasons

Other people who prefer freezing their sperm include:

• those starting testosterone replacement therapy
• couples undergoing in vitro fertilization or perhaps other fertility treatments
• people who happen to suffer from low sperm counts for intracytoplasmic sperm injection

Where do you bank your sperm?

The best place to freeze sperm is supposed to be the sperm bank or fertility clinic. A home banking kit can be used.

Sperm Freezing Process

Before banking the sperm, the person will give blood in order to be screened for sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Then, he will be asked to fill out a lot of paperwork, including a questionnaire, a contract, as well as legal forms.

Before depositing a sample, the person will also be asked to abstain from sex for 2 to 3 days. If feeling comfortable, the person will give his sample in a private room at the fertility clinic or sperm bank.

The person will deposit the sample in a sterile cup after masturbation. Some places do allow the partner to assist.

If not comfortable doing this at a clinic or even a bank, you can collect the sample at home. The sample needs to be brought to the clinic within an hour.

Samples are analyzed for sperm quantity, shape, and movement. The samples are then separated into multiple vials and frozen by a lab technician who specializes in cryoprotectant agents in order to protect the sperm cells.

If sperm are not present in the sample or if unable to ejaculate, it is possible to have a surgical retrieval. The healthcare professional will remove sperm directly from one’s testicle.

If sperm are not present in the sample or if unable to ejaculate, it is possible to have a surgical retrieval. The healthcare professional will remove sperm directly from one’s testicle.

How much does it cost to freeze your sperm?

At times, sperm freezing is covered by insurance if done for a medical reason. Otherwise, the costs are on the higher side and include all required testing and freezing for the first year.

Conclusion

Sperm freezing is popular among couples.