Freezing sperm: it’s probably not something you chat about with your friends every day, right? But it's way more common than you might think. And actually, lots of guys are doing it.
Whether you're thinking about having kids someday, dealing with medical issues, or just curious about your options, it's totally worth knowing more about how sperm freezing works.
Basically, they take your sperm, test it, and freeze it. Like, really freeze it. Think of it as hitting the pause button on your ability to have kids. Want to increase your chances of success? It all starts with healthy sperm.
Why sperm health matters
When we’re talking about fertility, the conversation is often focused on women’s reproductive health. But it takes two to tango, right? And sperm health is just as crucial in the baby-making equation. In fact, male factor infertility contributes to about half of all infertility cases. That's why freezing sperm can be just as important as freezing eggs when it comes to preserving fertility and keeping your options open.
Sperm health isn't just about quantity — quality matters, too. Sperm are considered healthy if they have good motility (they're good swimmers), normal morphology (they're the right shape), and intact DNA. And all of these factors can impact a man’s fertility. By freezing sperm when it's at its healthiest, you're essentially capturing it at its prime, ready to be used when the time is right.
Why freeze your sperm?
Okay, you might be thinking, “Freezing sperm? Isn’t that always available?” Not necessarily! While it's true that men continue to produce sperm throughout their lives — unlike women who are born with all the eggs they'll ever have — it’s the quality of sperm that doesn't stay constant.
"Freezing sperm is a relatively simple and affordable process that gives a person more options for having a biological family in the future. We think about it as an insurance policy for future fertility. Once sperm is frozen and stored in liquid nitrogen, it can be kept in storage for many years with little to no impact on its health or ability to create a healthy pregnancy. Sperm freezing allows people to take preventative measures to protect their fertility, whether they are starting medical treatment like testosterone, are concerned about their lifestyle, or even just want to wait to have (more) kids until a later age."
Age is a big factor when it comes to sperm health. While men don't have a clear-cut fertility cliff like women do with menopause, sperm quality does decline as they get older. Studies have shown that as men age, their sperm may have more DNA damage and chromosomal abnormalities — meaning higher risks of miscarriage and other health conditions for their children.
But it's not just about age. Your lifestyle can also have a big impact. Things like stress, poor diet, lack of exercise, smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, and exposure to environmental toxins can all take a toll on sperm quality. Even temporary factors like certain illnesses or medications can affect sperm production.
By freezing sperm, your partner can preserve their fertility at its peak. And it’s especially important if they're facing any medical treatments that might impact fertility, like chemotherapy or radiation. Also, if men have risky jobs, are around toxins or extreme temperatures, or are even on active duty in the military, freezing sperm might be a good idea, just in case.
The sperm freezing process
The good news is that sperm freezing is simpler than you might think. The first step is providing a sperm sample through masturbation. This sample is then analyzed in a lab to check sperm count, motility, and morphology. Then, the sperm gets mixed with a special solution that protects it during the freezing process.
After they get the sperm ready, it’s divided up into little portions and frozen using a technique called vitrification. This ultra-rapid freezing technique turns the sperm into a glass-like state, stopping ice crystals from forming, which would be bad news for those little swimmers. Then, they store the frozen sperm in these high-tech and super secure tanks filled with liquid nitrogen. We’re talking seriously chilly — like -320.8 degrees Fahrenheit!
When it's time to actually use the sperm, they thaw it out really carefully and get it ready for fertility treatments like intrauterine insemination (IUI) or in vitro fertilization (IVF). And the best part about frozen sperm? It can be stored for decades. There have even been babies born using sperm that was frozen for over 40 years. Pretty cool, right?
The cost of sperm freezing
Medical stuff can get pretty pricey, but sperm freezing might be more affordable than you think. And it’s very nearly always cheaper than egg freezing. But the price depends on where you live and the specific clinic or service you use.
The cost typically includes an initial semen analysis, the freezing process, and storage fees. The initial cost for analysis and freezing can range from a few hundred to a couple thousand dollars. After that, there are usually annual storage fees, which can be around $100–$300 per year.
While this might seem like a big expense, it's good to consider the potential long-term benefits. Just think, freezing sperm now could save you from much more expensive and invasive fertility treatments down the line. It's basically like investing in your future family.
And another cool thing? Some companies are starting to offer sperm freezing as part of their benefits package. It’s definitely worth checking with your HR department. You never know!
Freezing sperm is fertility insurance
Sperm freezing is not just for guys with medical issues or dangerous jobs. Any man can freeze his sperm. It's an especially smart move if you're really focused on your career right now, not ready for kids, or you just want to keep your options open.
Remember, fertility isn't just a woman's thing — guys can control theirs, too. By freezing sperm, men can be more involved in family planning and take some pressure off their partners.
So, can you freeze sperm? Yep! And if you’re curious, it's always a good idea to chat with your healthcare provider. They can give you the best advice for your situation and help you figure out the next steps.
Did you know your partner can freeze his sperm, from home, for just $145 per year? Legacy’s mail-in collection kit makes taking control of his fertility easy and affordable. Order a kit today, and use code BLACKFRIDAY24 to save 20% (valid through December 4, 2024).
Blair Sharp is a freelance writer who lives in Minnesota with her husband and son. Her words have been published in various publications, including Parents, SheKnows, The Bump, and Insider. You can find her watching reality TV and sharing too many reels with her friends when she's not writing. To connect with Blair, find her on LinkedIn and Instagram, or head to her website www.blairsharp.com
