What is Sperm Banking?
Sperm banking is the collection, freezing and storage of sperm for future fertility.
Other names used for sperm banking include sperm freezing, sperm collecting, cryopreservation or sperm storage.
How Long Can Sperm Be Stored For?
Samples can be stored for up to 20-years depending on the facility site which is storing the sperm.
When Would I Need to Use a Sperm Bank?
The most common reason a man decides to bank his sperm is related to a cancer diagnosis such as testicular cancer or when receiving chemotherapy or radiation therapy for other cancers which can damage healthy sperm.
This enables the option of future fertility (with healthy sperm) once cancer treatment has been completed.
What is the Process for Storing Sperm?
Sperm banking is normally performed in either a hospital or a fertility clinic (sometimes called an Andrology clinic).
- The first step normally involves a blood and urine test to make sure there are no sexually transmitted diseases.
- Next you are required to provide a sperm sample. Masturbation onsite at the fertility clinic is the most common way to provide the sample. You can often have a partner join you in the room to assist stimulation.
- The sample must go into a specimen container provided by the clinic.
- Once collected, the sperm is frozen at the clinic until it is required (in the future).
- When you are ready to have a child, the sperm is then thawed at the clinic and then used to fertilise an egg via IVF.
It is possible to collect the sample at home, however the sample must remain close to body temperature and be provided to the clinic within 30-60 minutes (each fertility clinic will have a protocol that you will need to observe).
Another method sometimes used requires a medical procedure to extract the sperm using testicular sperm extraction.
How Much Does Sperm Banking Cost?
Sperm banking is not free.
The costs for sperm collection and storage will vary depending on the individual fertility clinic. The cost of banking sperm should be discussed at the start of the process.
Can I Freeze My Sperm at Home?
Sperm banking requires freezing with precision quality control monitoring; therefore, your sperm cannot be safely frozen and stored at home.
Real Men’s Health Takeaway
If sperm banking is an action you need to take due a cancer diagnosis, the specialist teams involved in your cancer care will step you through the process of where and when to attend this.
If you are experiencing financial stress and cannot afford sperm banking, please ask to speak with a cancer (oncology) social worker.
