Sperm freezing Melbourne

Sperm Freezing

While male fertility typically lasts longer than that of females, male fertility preservation through sperm vitrification may be necessary to keep your options open. Whether for personal or medical reasons, our specialists can help you understand the process and make an informed decision about your fertility.

When should you freeze sperm?

The quality of male fertility naturally begins to decrease around 40 years old, which reduces the chance of conception and can increase the risk of passing on genetic conditions. Freezing sperm when you are younger can give you flexibility in life, allowing you to pursue starting a family at a time that suits you best, without worrying about declining quality.

Sperm preservation may be a good option in various circumstances, including:

if you are about to undergo major surgery or medical treatments that may affect your ability to produce healthy sperm (such as pelvic or testicular surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy)
if you work in a dangerous profession and may be at risk of injury
if you would like to have a family one day but are not in a position right now
if you’re planning on having a vasectomy and would like to store some sperm just in case
if testing has indicated that you have an abnormal and/or declining sperm count

For men who are about to undergo fertility or reproductive treatment with a partner, factors such as time constraints, travel, work commitments, and personal or cultural considerations may make it difficult to attend an appointment on a specific day or produce a sample on that day due to stress. Having a frozen sperm sample can provide peace of mind that treatment will still be able to go ahead.

Producing your sample

In most cases — including sperm collection for IVF — male patients will produce their sample in one of our private suites at the clinic, ensuring that the sample can quickly be frozen by our specialists. Arrangements can be made to produce the sample at home if that is preferable. In these cases, the sample must be transported to our clinic within one hour to ensure its viability. Sperm may also be collected under general or local anaesthetic by passing a fine needle directly into the testicle, known as a testicular biopsy.

We understand that some men may require different sperm collection methods for religious, cultural, or medical reasons. Our specialists can help you understand each option and find a solution that is right for you.

To produce the best quality sample when you freeze your sperm, we recommend that all our patients abstain from intercourse or ejaculation for at least 2 days before providing their first sample, but for no more than 7 days.

Given that it is a non-invasive process, we do encourage our male patients to produce as many samples as possible. Sperm unfortunately does not have as high a survival rate after thawing as eggs do, so the more samples we can collect, the better chance we have of viable sperm during fertility treatment. Most men produce between 2 and 5 samples that may then be frozen for future use.

Sperm storage

Once produced, sperm is separated from the semen and analysed to check that motility and shape are healthy, and to assess concentration and count. We store sperm by placing each sample into a vial and combining it with a special freezing solution that protects it during the freezing process. These vials then go into storage freezers that use liquid nitrogen to keep the sperm at a constant frozen temperature.

We can store sperm samples for up to 10 years under current Victorian law. This can be extended in some circumstances, including if there is reasonable risk of you becoming prematurely infertile due to a medical condition or procedure. Our specialists can help you identify whether you are eligible for further storage and how to go about it. We promise to never discard your sperm without receiving your consent or attempting to make contact with you first.

Using your sample

When you have decided that the time is right for you to start trying using assisted reproduction, your sample can be carefully thawed in our laboratory. After sperm cryopreservation, sperm samples are highly sensitive to temperature changes, and approximately 50% of sperm will survive the thawing process. This is reduced to around 25% if the sample is from a testicular biopsy.

Once thawed, sperm are analysed for motility and activity. Your sample may be used for treatments such as: In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF); Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI); or IntraUterine Insemination (IUI). You don’t need to thaw all of your samples at once — some can still be saved for a later time.

It is important to understand that freezing sperm for later use does not guarantee you will be able to have a child. While we truly wish we could guarantee fertilisation in all of our fertility treatments, we, unfortunately, cannot, but we make every effort possible to give you the best chance of reproduction.

FAQs about freezing sperm

How much does it cost to freeze sperm?

The overall cost to freeze sperm includes the costs of the procedure and the process of preserving and storing sperm. Speak to our fertility specialists to find out more about our estimated out-of-pocket sperm freezing costs.

How long does frozen sperm last?

Sperm can be frozen for an indefinite length of time using vitrification, but Victorian fertility clinics are only legally allowed to store frozen sperm for up to 10 years (except in special circumstances where this can be exceeded). The amount of time that sperm has been frozen does not affect the success rate when thawing and using a sample.

Can you freeze sperm at home?

The only way to successfully freeze and preserve your sperm is to do so using a fertility laboratory, to ensure the samples are kept at the right temperature using liquid nitrogen. While it is possible to collect sperm samples at home, freezing sperm at home will not lead to any usable samples.

Are you contemplating sperm freezing?

A man may choose to safeguard his future fertility by collecting, freezing, and storing his sperm for use at a later date. Whether you’re experiencing a medical issue (such as cancer treatment) or you just haven’t met the right person yet, fertility preservation is an important consideration for every man. Have peace of mind that you have some quality sperm samples at your disposal.

If you’ve been thinking about preserving your sperm quality for the future by freezing it, book an appointment with a fertility specialist at Create Fertility to discuss the process in detail. We would love to provide support with whatever fertility treatment you and your partner choose to pursue when the time is right.

Preserving Your Fertility Options

Whether you are facing medical treatments, undergoing fertility treatment with your partner, or simply want the flexibility to start a family later in life, sperm freezing can provide peace of mind and safeguard your fertility options.

At Create Fertility, we are here to guide you through the process with expert care and understanding. From sample collection to storage, our team will ensure you feel informed and supported every step of the way. Book a consultation with one of our fertility specialists to discuss sperm freezing and how it can fit into your family plan.