Sperm cryopreservation, commonly referred to as sperm freezing is a procedure to preserve sperm cells.
About one-third of infertility cases are caused by fertility problems in men and another one-third of fertility problems are due to fertility problems in women.
At FSMG, we can treat severe male infertility, low sperm count, or total absence of sperm (azoospermia) with an advanced IVF treatment called intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ISCI).
After your sperm is analyzed in the lab, we may freeze samples for later use. During IVF, a thawed sample provides your fertility specialist access to viable sperm samples.
You may need access to frozen sperm to start your family, particularly in third-party reproduction cycles. There are other situations that call for sperm cryopreservation. Sperm freezing is an option for the following reasons:
Patients will be screened for infection such as HIV, hepatitis, or syphilis. The male patient will provide a semen sample through masturbation.
If the patient does not produce sperm in the ejaculation, a sperm sample may be taken from his testes. The collected sperm samples are separated into multiple containers. Skilled lab technicians will use cryoprotectant, a substance used to protect the sperm from freezing damage. The frozen vials of sperm are stored in the lab until the patient is ready to use them again.
We are honored to be a part of your journey and are committed to providing you and your family the best care possible. Our top priority is the safety of our patients and staff as we all try to manage COVID-19 together. Our team has used the recommendations of ASRM, ACOG, CDC, and the state and local Departments of Health, as well as our own experienced clinical and laboratory team, to develop a set of safety protocols to minimize the risk of COVID-19 exposure. These include, but are not limited to, the social distancing of staff and patients, the use of masks for staff and patients, and efforts to minimize patient overlap in the office.
We currently have patients undergoing IVF with cryopreservation of embryos and/or eggs. As data accumulates, when to initiate a pregnancy during this COVID-19 pandemic will be a decision to discuss with your FSMG physician.
If you are a patient interested in proceeding with a cycle, please contact the office at 858-239-2275.
Our physicians are available via phone or video consultations.
– The FSMG Team