What is Sperm Freezing?
Sperm freezing, also known as sperm cryopreservation, is the procedure of long-term preservation of sperm that allows the chance of becoming a biological parent. Regardless of infertility, individuals may prefer the sperm freezing procedure due to factors such as illness, injury, medical treatment, and age that may affect the acquisition of healthy sperm.
The process of sperm freezing is performed with the help of liquid nitrogen vapors and kept in special containers full of liquid nitrogen after the freezing procedure is completed until they are needed… The procedure of sperm freezing is one of the newest technologies of modern medicine, which has given hope to the birth of a child to many couples.
Who is Recommended to Freeze Sperm?
There are many reasons to freeze sperm regardless of fertility treatments. Diagnosed with cancer is one of them. Below you will find all the cases, that may give harm to produce of healthy sperm…
1. Cancer therapies: Cancer treatments use radiation or chemotherapy that may affect fertility.
2. Existence of fertility-threatening surgery: Surgeries such as prostate, vasectomy, or removal of one or both testicles carries a risk of impacting or blocking sperm production.
3. Employees in certain professions: Military service professions, firefighters, athletes, x-ray technicians, etc… are at high risk of infertility.
4. Age: Both men and women have biological clocks. And in time the quality and quantity of the sperm decrease.
5. Gender reassignment: Before using hormones or undergoing a surgical transition the individuals may ask to consider freezing their sperm.
How are Sperm Collected and Frozen?
Sperm freezing is a safe, standardized, and effective process for future fertility. The sperm freezing process involves:
Analysis of sperm quantity and quality: The sperm specimen is generally obtained by masturbation. It is recommended to give a break to any sexual activity (including masturbation) for two days before the appointment. A semen analysis will analyze the morphology, motility, and sperm count of the sperm specimen and check if the individual is an ideal candidate for sperm freezing or not.
Testing for infection: The individuals will be tested for HIV, chlamydia, syphilis, gonorrhea, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C… and precautions will be taken against any contagious disease.
Separating Samples: A physician who is specialized in cryoprotectant agents will do the separation of the samples and divide them into multiple containers.
Sperm Freezing: The process of sperm freezing is performed with the help of liquid nitrogen vapors and kept in special containers full of liquid nitrogen after the freezing procedure is completed. The first 48 hours after sperm freezing is the most important part of the procedure, within this period some sperms die and the survived ones can last indefinitely if the right conditions can be met.
Sperm Storage: The standard storage procedure for sperm freezing is 10 years but in case of some circumstances the frozen sperm can be kept until 55 years.
