Sperm Freezing

What is sperm freezing?

Sperm freezing provides a convenient way to save your sperm for the future. The team at CARE Fertility might recommend sperm freezing if you:

• Need treatment for cancer
• Need to have a testicle removed
• Are getting older and want to preserve your fertility
• Are thinking about getting a vasectomy

You might also benefit from sperm freezing if you work a high-risk job. For example, if you’re in the military, sperm freezing can preserve your legacy. 

What does sperm freezing involve?

At CARE Fertility, sperm freezing begins with a review of your medical records and a physical exam. Your provider also orders an infectious disease screening to make sure you don’t have any sexually transmitted infections. 

If you receive a clean bill of health, your provider has you ejaculate into a sterile collection container. You can do this at the office or at home and then return your sample to the practice within 24 hours.

If you’ve had a vasectomy or cancer treatment, the team might extract sperm from your testicular tissue. The team might also recommend extraction if you have a very low sperm count.

What happens after the sperm is collected?

After the sperm is collected, your CARE Fertility provider analyzes it and prepares it for storage. They use special tools to separate the semen from your seminal fluid and testicular tissue. 

Then, using a microscope, they evaluate your sperm’s concentration, shape, and movement. If your sperm is healthy, your provider will freeze it and send it to a commercial sperm bank for storage.

The sperm bank separates your sample into several vials and keeps it in multiple storage tanks. That way, if one freezer fails, you’ll have existing samples.

Can I freeze my sperm at home?

You can’t freeze your own sperm at home. For sperm to be viable for fertility treatment, it must be collected and stored in a lab with the proper quality controls in place. The typical home freezer has an average temperature of 18℃, but sperm needs to be stored at minus-196℃.

If you choose to collect your sample at home, CARE Fertility provides you with a collection and storage kit that keeps your sperm at the proper temperature.

Does health insurance cover sperm freezing?

Most health insurance policies cover at least some of the cost of sperm freezing. If you have questions about what your policy does or doesn't cover, contact your insurance provider before making an appointment at CARE Fertility.

If you’re interested in sperm freezing, request a consultation at CARE Fertility by calling the nearest office or booking online today.