Testicular Cancer Awareness Month — Preserving Your Fertility
Facing a testicular cancer diagnosis can be daunting, especially if you wish to have biological children in the future. While no one can predict the long-term effects of a cancer diagnosis and treatment on one's sperm, there are ways to preserve your fertility before your treatments begin.
April is Testicular Cancer Awareness Month, making it the perfect time to speak with your doctor regarding testicular cancer and how to improve your chances of having children down the line.
Sperm Cryopreservation
Sperm cryopreservation is the process of freezing sperm for future use. Once cryopreserved, the sperm will not age, degrade, or change. The sperm freezing process involves several steps, including:
- An initial screening: Before the patient submits their sperm sample, they’ll undergo a simple screening to ensure they don’t have any sexually transmitted diseases. If the test comes back negative, they’ll be able to submit a sperm sample at a fertility clinic.
- Submitting the sample: A healthcare provider will take the patient into a private room and give them a small container. The patient will then masturbate into the container.
- Sperm washing: The sample will go through a process called sperm washing, in which the strongest sperm are separated from the seminal fluid and debris, resulting in a highly concentrated sample of high-quality semen.
- Freezing the sample: The fertility clinic will collect the semen and send it to a sperm bank. The bank will properly label and secure your sample, permanently storing it in a deep freeze storage tank.
The Fertility Center of California (FCC) can help guide you through this process and preserve your fertility for many years to come.
The Benefits of Sperm Banking with FCC
At FCC, we’ve successfully cryopreserved and stored semen samples for over 40 years. Because no two semen samples are the same, we’ll thoroughly analyze each sample intended for cryopreservation. That way, we can create a storage plan that best suits your sample’s unique characteristics.
We provide comprehensive support, guiding you through each step of the process. Navigating testicular cancer is challenging enough. With FCC, you can rest assured that the future of your fertility is in the best of hands.
Get Started Today
When it comes to preserving your fertility in the face of testicular cancer, there’s no time to waste. At the Fertility Center of California, we offer same-day appointments and off-site collection options for your convenience. For more information, contact us today. We look forward to helping you with your fertility goals!
