Fertility treatments
Sperm freezing
Quality frozen sperm, once thawed, can be used for ICSI, IVF or IUI treatments
What is sperm freezing?
Sperm freezing (also known as sperm banking or sperm cryopreservation) is the process of collecting and freezing a man’s sperm for his future use in conceiving a child. Sperm freezing is a safe procedure, however not all sperm survive the freezing and thawing process.
How does it work?
You begin your sperm collection journey with an initial consultation with your fertility specialist.
Everything will be explained to you – the procedure, expected results and legal considerations.
Blood tests will be carried out. This includes screening for: HIV, Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C and Syphilis. These blood tests are mandatory by law.
Dependent on your sperm quality, you may be asked to make a further deposit at another appointment. This is to optimise the quantity of sperm to be frozen. In cases of no sperm found, you may need to have further tests and potentially undergo a testicular biopsy in order to retrieve your sperm.
Who is sperm freezing for?
Sperm freezing is appropriate for men who:
- Produce very low number of sperm
- Quality of sperm is deteriorating
- Experience difficulty in producing a sperm sample on day of fertility treatment (their female partner’s day of egg collection)
- Have a medical condition which may affect their fertility (for example in cases of cancer treatment)
- Work at hazardous worksites or are deployed in the military
- Are considering a vasectomy and wish to store some sperm for future use in conceiving a child
- Are approaching mature age and wish to preserve their future fertility (sperm quality decreases with age). Studies have also shown an increase in pregnancy complications and birth defects with advanced paternal age
