Sperm Freezing & Storage
Much like egg freezing, sperm freezing allows men to use their sperm if they need to delay conception or if they are undergoing medical procedures that are likely to affect fertility. Unlike eggs, sperm can be frozen and stored indefinitely – there are no limits placed on how long sperm can remain frozen before use.
Sperm Freezing Success Rates
Whilst it is generally thought that the freeze-thaw process may damage some of the sperms in a sample, some studies actually find the opposite. It is most likely that there is a small drop in quality. Where possible we test samples by freezing and thawing a small amount to check for vitality after the process.
Do I Need to Freeze My Sperm?
Storing your sperm allows you to use it for treatment in the future. You may want to consider sperm freezing if:
- You are about to undergo a vasectomy
- You have a low sperm count or your sperm quality is deteriorating
- You have difficulty producing a sample on the day of treatment
- Your sperm is going to be used for donation
- You have a medical condition that may result in infertility later in life
- You are facing medical treatment that may affect your fertility
What are the Risks of Sperm Freezing?
As a non-invasive procedure, there are no risks associated with the actual process of collecting sperm. There are also no risks to recipients of embryos created with frozen sperm, or to children created from those embryos.
The Process
Before you begin the procedures, you they will be explained in more detail by your clinician. As an overview, there are 4 main steps to sperm freezing:
- You will be screened for infectious diseases, including HIV, HTLV and Hepatitis B/C
- You will provide written consent for your sperm to be stored
- You need to produce a sperm sample at the clinic
- Your sperm is frozen and stored in liquid nitrogen
How Much Does Sperm Freezing Cost?
At Concept Fertility, your first freeze and 1 years’ storage is £650. If you require other treatments or would like to continue storing your sperm after the first year, this will be charged separately.
