Sperm banking for future fathers: What to expect

Gentlemen! Are other priorities making you put your fatherhood dreams on hold? What if we told you there was a way? That’s right. Sperm banking – a safety net for would-be fathers. Whether due to medical concerns, lifestyle choices, or career planning, preserving sperm can provide peace of mind, knowing that your family plans are safe.

In this article, we'll explore sperm banking in depth and why it's a smart move for many men who want to pursue fatherhood in the future.

What Is Sperm Banking?

Sperm banking, also known as semen cryopreservation involves collecting, freezing and storing a man’s sperm for future use. This method of sperm preservation gives you the liberty to plan your parenthood when you’re ready!

The Growing Need for Sperm Banking

Many individuals are opting for sperm banking for a variety of reasons which include:

• Delayed Parenthood: Some people wish to start their families a little later. It may be often due to their careers, education, and other personal circumstances.
• Undergoing/Planned Cancer Treatment: Certain medical treatments, like chemotherapy, can impact fertility. Banking your sperm before these treatments may give individuals a chance to save their fertility for the future.
• Age: Studies reveal that sperm quality declines with age. So, to preserve your fertility, sperm banking is a viable option. It helps you plan your fatherhood on your own terms.
• Occupation: If you work in a high-risk profession, such as the military or air force, sperm banking provides a reliable way to safeguard your future plans for fatherhood. Freezing your sperm ensures it’s preserved and ready whenever you need it. 
• Vasectomy: Many couples opt for vasectomy as a means of birth control but change their mind later on. Banking your sperm before the procedure gives them the flexibility to have a child even after it.

Sperm Banking: The Procedure

The process of sperm preservation is quite simple. It usually begins with a blood test to check for any sexually transmitted infections. After that, you need to collect your semen sample on your own. A small portion of this sample is analysed to check the quality and quantity of the sperm and how well it survives after freezing. The remaining samples are then placed in special containers called cryovials for cryopreservation at very low temperatures (below -196°C).

How Long Can the Sperms Be Stored?

Sperm can usually be kept for a time period of 10 years. However, one can extend this to 55 years maximum. It depends on the rules set by the sperm bank as well.

Benefits Of Sperm Banking

Here are the benefits of sperm preservation:

1. FERTILITY: The main advantage of preserving sperm is to protect .male fertility Medical treatments like chemotherapy or exposure to harmful substances can impair male reproductive health. Freezing sperm when it's at its best allows couples to plan their families with confidence.
2. ASSISTED REPRODUCTIVE TECHNOLOGY: Sperm banking can be used in conjunction with assisted reproduction techniques like IVF.
3. FLEXIBLE FAMILY GOALS: With sperm banking, couples can plan their family at their own pace.

Success Rate Of Having A Baby With Sperm Banking

Success rates for using thawed sperm are based on sperm quality. The freezing and thawing process can damage some sperm. While sperm banks have helped bring thousands of babies into the world, there is no such guarantee that a man can plan his fatherhood journey based on that.

There are no known risks for men or any babies conceived with frozen sperm. As per the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Society, the following are the success rates of the people who conceived using frozen sperms (inclusive IVF treatments):

Conclusion

Sperm freezing is a valuable option for men who want to overcome infertility due to age or medical issues. It's also a great choice for those planning to have children later in life. Choosing the right sperm bank is crucial for ensuring this process works well. LifeCell’s SpermVault, India’s first and most trusted private sperm bank - provides a variety of affordable storage plans.

To learn more, call us at 1800 266 5533.

(This article is part of IndiaDotCom Pvt Ltd’s Consumer Connect Initiative, a paid publication programme. IDPL claims no editorial involvement and assumes no responsibility, liability or claims for any errors or omissions in the content of the article.)