If you are considering freezing your sperm, it’s important to understand how much the process will cost. The total costs include the medical consultation, sperm analysis and freezing fees, and storage charges.
People often freeze their sperm because their fertility declines with age and exposure to different chemicals. They may also choose to bank sperm if they work in hazardous jobs or are deployed in the military.
Cost of Collection
The sperm freezing process is a great option for men who want to preserve their fertility and give themselves or other men the opportunity to conceive a child in the future. However, it’s not an inexpensive procedure, as sperm storage costs about PS400 per year. Additionally, UK regulations only allow sperm to be stored for 10 years.
The cost of the sperm freezing process can vary from one fertility clinic to another. Some insurance companies may cover the cost of sperm testing and freezing, but this is not always the case. The average cost of sperm analysis and freezing is about $1,000, but the exact amount can vary depending on your insurance coverage and the fertility clinic you choose.
In addition to the cost of sperm analysis and freezing, there are other expenses associated with the process, including the cost of medical consultations and infectious disease screening. These expenses can add up to quite a bit, but they are necessary for the safety of your health and well-being.
There are several reasons why men choose to freeze their sperm. Some men have had cancer treatments, such as chemotherapy and radiation, that can damage sperm cells. Other men have a condition that affects their fertility, such as sickle cell disease or a genetic disorder. In some cases, a man may have had a vasectomy and wants the ability to have children in the future.
Cost of Testing
A semen analysis is an important part of the process if you want to try to conceive. This test will help you determine the concentration and quality of your sperm, which can have an impact on whether or not the sperm survives freezing.
In the UK, private sperm testing at a clinic can cost anywhere from PS130 to PS200, and that’s per test. That means if you need to get your sperm tested more than once, or you’re tracking your progress over time, the costs can add up quickly.
However, if you are able to find a local sperm bank or fertility clinic that offers semen banking services, this can reduce your costs. Typically, you will produce a sample of your semen at the sperm bank or fertility clinic, and the samples are then frozen.
If you don’t want to visit a fertility clinic, you can also purchase an at-home semen banking kit. These kits can reduce your overall costs because they allow you to complete the process at home without having to pay for any professional clinical services or travel expenses. However, you should be aware that these kits typically include fewer test results than clinical services from a fertility specialist or urologist. In addition, the quality of the results may not be as high.
Cost of Storage
Sperm freezing and storage is an important option for men with fertility issues or who want to avoid getting a vasectomy. However, it can be costly, particularly if you are using multiple cycles to achieve your desired outcome. You should discuss the cost of a sperm freeze with your doctor before making the decision.
You may also be able to get a discount for storing your sperm if you are undergoing cancer treatment or are over 45 years old. Some insurance companies also cover the cost of sperm freezing, depending on the reason for your procedure.
A sperm freezing service can be helpful if you are planning to undergo chemotherapy or radiation therapy, which can damage sperm cells and make it impossible to conceive. You can also save time by freezing your sperm before getting a vasectomy, as it takes up to five years for the testicular tissue to recover from surgery.
Frozen sperm can last for decades, and recent data shows that a sperm sample that was frozen 15 years ago has a survival rate of 74%. In addition, you can use the sperm in the future for artificial insemination or fertilization.
In some cases, a sperm bank will offer a free sperm storage and testing kit to eligible applicants. These kits can be a good option for men who want to try a direct-to-consumer approach or are not covered by insurance. However, Khaled Kteily, the founder and CEO of Legacy, cautions that at-home kits may not be as reliable as those from a certified sperm bank.
Cost of Thawing
Fortunately, it’s not that expensive to freeze your sperm. Typically, it costs less than $1,000 for the collection, analysis, and freezing of your sample. The yearly storage fee varies but usually doesn’t exceed $500.
Before submitting your semen, you’ll have to give blood for a routine checkup and complete a lot of paperwork. Then, you’ll have to abstain from sex for 3 to 4 days before the andrology lab can collect your sperm. The lab then analyzes your sperm to find out how many are alive, their morphology, and motility.
Once your sperm is ready, the andrology lab will place them in small vials that get frozen in liquid nitrogen. The sperm samples are stored in multiple freezer tanks that have to be kept at a constant temperature of minus 196 degrees Celsius.
Then, when you’re ready to use your sperm, it will need to be thawed in order for you to fertilize your partner’s eggs. Using thawed sperm hasn’t been shown to increase the risk of birth defects or other health issues in babies. Moreover, it’s been shown to work just as well in in vitro fertilization (IVF-ICSI) cycles as fresh sperm. That’s why many men choose to freeze their sperm. In fact, experts recommend that men consider freezing their sperm before they turn 45 to ensure that they’ll have a chance at conception.
