Sperm Cryopreservation

What is sperm cryopreservation?

Sperm cryopreservation is a procedure to freeze sperm and store it for later use. Dr. Gago offers this option for couples with special circumstances that prevent a male partner from being available during treatment when you’re ready to have a baby through in vitro fertilization.

You may also opt to freeze sperm if the male is anticipating cancer treatments, like radiation or chemotherapy, which can damage healthy sperm.

Freezing sperm now ensures you have the option to conceive a child at some point in the future.

What happens during the sperm cryopreservation process?

Sperm cryopreservation, or freezing, is different for individual sperm samples. Prior to freezing sperm, Dr. Gago performs a thorough evaluation of sperm health, checking for details like sperm count and semen volume.

Dr. Gago can also analyze your percentage of sperm motility, the number of sperm that are actively swimming. She ensures that the sample is of high quality and have the potential to produce a viable pregnancy at a later date.

During the freezing process, the andrologist uses a special protective solution to prevent ice crystals from forming on the sperm, damaging their structure. The sperm samples are stored in vials and the andrologist slowly cools the vials before freezing them completely. Frozen sperm vials are then housed in tanks of nitroglycerin until they are ready for use.

Soon after freezing, the andrologist thaws a small sample of sperm to evaluate the effectiveness of the cryopreservation process and how many swimming sperm are in the sample.

How many sperm samples are frozen?

Dr. Gago can determine the amount of sperm you should freeze based on your family planning needs, your health status, and your timeline for in vitro fertilization.

Individual cryopreservation plans address your specific needs and Dr. Gago can discuss what to expect during your consultation.

Once sperm is successfully preserved, they can be kept in the tanks for an unlimited amount of time.

If your concerned about sperm health and want to learn more about preserving your sperm before it’s too late, schedule a consultation with Dr. Gago to discuss the benefits of sperm cryopreservation today by phone or using the online booking feature.