Sperm Freezing: Everything You Need To Know

Gentlemen! Have you ever had a moment when the thought of freezing your sperm popped up? We think it might have crossed your mind for some reason. As concerns around male infertility rise and a growing number of men wish to delay fatherhood, this topic is more relevant than ever. Maybe you're considering lifestyle changes, have medical reasons, or want to keep your future options open. Whatever it may be, it’s time to explore more about sperm freezing and its process.

What Is Sperm Freezing

It’s a process where sperm is carefully harvested, cryogenically preserved, and securely stored in a sperm bank. This method allows men to preserve their fertility and offers flexibility to plan fatherhood on their terms. 1 

Who Can Benefit from Freezing Sperm: Key Reasons to Consider

You might choose to bank your sperm for various personal or health-related reasons. The main goal is to use them later when you decide to have a biological child. Other reasons include:

1. Delayed Family Planning:

If you want to delay fatherhood due to financial concerns or career pursuits and are uncertain about future fertility, sperm preservation is an ideal option. ²

2. Oligospermia :

A low sperm count can make it difficult for natural conception, even at a young age. Banking semen with low sperm counts can still aid in achieving pregnancy through assisted reproductive technologies (ARTs). ²

3. Medical Conditions or Illness:

Conditions like cancer or its treatments can impact men’s fertility. Therefore it’s advisable to bank your sperm beforehand which can be used later. ²

4. Vasectomy:

Some couples opt for vasectomy as birth control but may change their minds later. For them, preserving sperm beforehand provides the flexibility to father a child even after the procedure. ²

5. High-Risk Occupations:

Jobs like military service can take a toll on fertility. That’s why those in such fields are recommended to consider freezing their sperm as a backup plan. ²

Having learnt about the reasons to bank your sperm, let us explore more about its process.

How Does Sperm Freezing Work

Sperm freezing is a pretty simple process. Here’s how it ideally works: ¹

• The procedure starts with a basic health check, usually testing for infections like HIV or hepatitis. This step is to ensure safe storage conditions without any contamination.
• Next you’ll be asked to provide a fresh sperm sample (in private, of course through masturbation). This sample is then mixed with a protective fluid-cryoprotectant to guard the sperm during freezing.
• Later the sample is divided into small containers and thawed, cooled and stored in liquid nitrogen at around -196°C.
• Finally, the sperm is preserved in a reliable sperm bank where it can remain viable for later use.

How Long Can Sperm Be Stored Once Frozen

Sperm, once frozen at -196°C in liquid nitrogen can be stored for decades! That’s because the sperm in frozen state stays healthy and ready for further use. Not only this, many sperm banks offer storage plans ranging from 10 to 20 years or even longer. And so the sperm quality remains intact over time and can be used effectively for treatments like IVF.  ³

Sperm Freezing: Cost & Effectiveness

Sperm banking costs can vary across clinics. In India, the general price is about ₹2000 to ₹5000 per vial. The total cost depends on the number of vials and duration. Also sometimes, insurance companies may cover the expense. However, this could apply only for cases that involve medical treatments like cancer. Therefore It's advisable to contact your insurer directly for specific details and available options. 2 4

As for effectiveness, frozen sperm does not lose its effectiveness after being thawed. It has the same ability to fertilise an egg as a fresh sperm, with no noticeable difference in fertilisation rates. 5

After knowing all about sperm freezing, the next step is finding the right place to preserve your sperm. This is where LifeCell's SpermVault comes in. It is India’s first trusted private sperm bank, offering flexible storage plans at affordable rates.

It also offers you many other benefits such as: 

• Convenient sample collection at home that also ensures complete confidentiality
• 6-12 cryovials storage - based on the chosen plans 
• Storage plans of - 1, 5 and 10 years 
• Easy upgradation of storage plans 
• Retrieval on demand 
• Quality guarantee and disaster relief coverage

For more details you can visit www.lifecell.in.

Conclusion

Sperm freezing is an empowering option for men wanting to preserve their fertility for various reasons. Whether it’s about planning for the future, overcoming health challenges, or simply keeping options open, it gives you control over your reproductive journey. Remember, never lose hope, as sperm banking can provide you with many new possibilities. With LifeCell's SpermVault, you get convenience, flexible storage plans, and peace of mind.

So, why wait? Take charge of your future fertility with SpermVault and become a DAD when you're ready.

Call 1800 266 5533 to get started today!

FAQs

Q1. Why Would A Man Freeze His Sperm? 

There are many reasons! Some men choose to delay fatherhood due to career plans, health concerns, or lifestyle choices. Freezing sperm offers the freedom to plan for future family goals on their own terms. ²

Q2.How Long Does It Take To Freeze Sperm?

The process of freezing sperm ideally takes around 2 to 4 hours. ⁶

Q3. How Much Sperm Do I Need To Freeze?

One sample can often be enough, but freezing multiple samples gives you more options for future fertility treatments if required. ⁷