Sperm Banking
What Is It: Sperm banking is the process of freezing and storing of the collected sperm. It’s also called sperm freezing or sperm cryopreservation. The sperm can be thawed and used in the future for procedures such as intrauterine insemination (IUI) or in vitro fertilization (IVF).
Why do people freeze sperm?: There are lots of reasons to freeze sperm. The most common reason is the case of a cancer treatment. After chemotherapy or radiation therapy, there might be very few sperm or no sperm left in the ejaculate (seminal fluid). Or a surgery such as orchiectomy (removal of the testicles) for testicular cancer means sperm can no longer be produced.
Some other reasons for sperm banking:
Age: Sperm quality diminishes with age, so you may choose to freeze sperm if you are getting older and want to preserve fertility.
Medical procedures or conditions: Those who choose to have a vasectomy may want the option of having children in the future. Some medications, such as testosterone therapy or sickle cell therapy, can affect fertility.
Occupation: People with high-risk jobs, such as those in the military, can freeze sperm to make it available to them or their partners.
Posthumous sperm retrieval: Family members may choose to collect sperm from someone who is deceased. Sperm can be extracted and frozen up to 72 hours after death.
When: The timing of sperm harvesting should be considered in conjunction with IVF cycle and the above mentioned reasons. Sperm tend to be healthiest at the ages of 18 and 25. You never know what kind of environmental exposures you’ll come across or what health conditions could occur in life.
Schedule An Appointment
No two people are the same, and no two infertility cases are alike. Your fertility status is personal and unique to you. Schedule your initial assessment with one of our fertility specialists.
