Addressing Male Infertility: Sperm Banking as a Solution

Sperm banking is the process of collecting, freezing, and storing sperm for future use. It’s a suitable option for men with fertility concerns interested in having children down the line. Let’s break down some reasons for freezing sperm, how the process works, and how you can get started today with an experienced male fertility team.

Reasons to Freeze Sperm

There are many reasons why a man may want to preserve his sperm. One of the most common is for cancer treatment. Treatments like chemotherapy and radiation can impact sperm count, making it difficult to conceive once treatment is complete. Other reasons for sperm banking include:

• Age: Sperm quality diminishes with age. Freezing sperm can help preserve fertility when ready to conceive.
• Medical conditions: Some medications, such as testosterone therapy or sickle cell therapy, can impact fertility.
• Occupation: Individuals with high-risk jobs, like those in the military, may choose to freeze their sperm.
• Posthumous sperm retrieval: Family members may choose to bank sperm from someone who is deceased. Sperm can be retrieved and frozen up to 72 hours after death.

The Sperm Banking Process

The first step of the sperm banking process is for the male patient to undergo an infectious disease screening. Then, they'll provide a semen sample. In most cases, the patient will masturbate in a sterile container at a fertility clinic.

Once the semen is collected, male fertility specialists will analyze and prepare it for storage. They make sure there's enough sperm in the ejaculate to freeze and that it's healthy. Then, the sperm is placed into a special freezing solution in small vials. The vials go into storage freezers that contain liquid nitrogen. Sperm can be frozen indefinitely.

Using Frozen Sperm

When the patient is ready to use their sperm, it's carefully thawed in the lab until it reaches room temperature. Then, it's analyzed again to ensure there is still active sperm in the sample. The patient can then use the sperm to conceive, either through in vitro fertilization (IVF) or intrauterine insemination (IUI).

Learn More About Sperm Banking

Sperm banking is a great way for men to address their fertility concerns. If you’re interested in sperm banking, whether due to cancer treatment, age, or simply wanting to take control of your timeline, you should speak with a male fertility specialist. At Sperm Bank, Inc., we can walk you through the sperm banking process and help you preserve your fertility for years to come. Contact us today for more information.