Sperm Freezing

Sperm freezing, also called sperm cryopreservation, is the process where sperm gets stored. It is then thawed for in vitro fertilisation (IVF) or intrauterine insemination (IUI). Monash IVF freezes the sperm in a special liquid nitrogen medium, keeping them at minus 196 degrees Celsius.

Freezing sperm is ideal for men who want to preserve their fertility. You may consider freezing your sperm if you:

• Are about to have a vasectomy or surgery
• Have a low sperm count that may decline to zero over time
• Need to start radiotherapy or chemotherapy, which may impair your fertility
• Are keen to undertake IVF or IUI treatment but cannot produce fresh samples of sperm during treatment.

Before you produce a sperm sample, we recommend you refrain from ejaculating or having sex for at least two days and no more than seven days prior. You can produce it in a private andrology suite at one of our clinics or at home. If you do it at home, it must get to our laboratory within one hour.

Monash IVF offers sperm freezing at all our clinics. Before making an appointment, your GP or fertility specialist must provide us with a referral letter.

Sperm freezing is a great option for men wishing to preserve their fertility. Sperm can be stored for long periods of time and then thawed for an insemination or IVF technique.

You may consider freezing your sperm if you:

• are about to start chemotherapy or radiotherapy that may impair your fertility
• have a very low sperm count that might fall to zero over time
• are about to have a surgery or a vasectomy
• are considering undergoing gender-affirming intervention
• are completing IUI or IVF treatment and can’t produce fresh samples during treatment

Monash IVF offers sperm freezing at all of our clinics across Australia. Before making an appointment, you'll need a referral letter from your GP or fertility specialist. To book an appointment for sperm freezing, contact your local Monash IVF clinic.

There are a few things to keep in mind when producing your sperm sample.

Before producing your sample, we recommend you don’t have sex or ejaculate for at least two days—but no more than seven days - prior.

It is recommended that you produce your sample in a private andrology suite in one of our clinics, however arrangements can be made to produce your sample at home if this is what you prefer.

If you’re producing your sample at home, you’ll need to bring it to the laboratory within one hour. This is really important. After producing, the sample should not be exposed to extreme temperature (heat or cold) and is best kept at room temperature. You'll still need an appointment if you produce your sample from home so our laboratory knows that you are attending that day. In addition, the semen collection container needs to be provided by our laboratory, as we use specialised containers that are safe for sperm. You will need to organise to collect a specialised container from the laboratory prior to producing at home.

For some people, masturbation isn’t possible for medical, social, cultural or religious reasons. In this case, talk to your local laboratory about getting a special condom so you can produce your sample via intercourse.

Scientifically, there’s no limit on how long sperm can be frozen. But the time can vary depending on state regulations.

Once your sperm is collected, it's mixed with a protective solution before the temperature is gradually reduced. Sperm cannot be frozen or stored in your home because it needs to be kept in liquid nitrogen at minus 196 degrees Celsius.

Freezing and storing your sperm at Monash IVF is a popular option for men who wish to preserve their fertility. Health and lifestyle factors can impact male fertility levels very quickly and can include:

• Your age
• Testosterone replacement therapies
• Cancer treatments like radiotherapy and chemotherapy.

While there's no limit to the length of time you can store it, some Australian state regulations can impose time limits. Monash IVF offers sperm storage at all our Australian clinics.

Once your frozen sperm is thawed, we can use it for IVF treatment. Clinical studies have shown that frozen sperm is as effective as fresh sperm for IVF pregnancy and implantation rates. By using frozen sperm for IVF, our patients can have more control over their IVF cycles. Frozen sperm samples are beneficial for single women and same-sex couples who have an opportunity to start their families at a time that suits them.

Frozen sperm can also be used successfully for intrauterine inseminations (IUI). This process involves transferring semen into the uterus via the vagina using a small tube.

Sperm freezing is an ideal way for single men or men in a relationship to conceive a biological baby in the future. Freezing sperm is also beneficial if a man is about to undergo surgery, have cancer treatment or works in a high-risk profession at hazardous sites or in the military.

If you're considering getting a vasectomy, it's a good idea to freeze your sperm in case you change your mind about having a child down the track.

Freezing sperm in your 20s or 30s can be a good idea because recent studies have shown ageing can impact the quality of your sperm. A study in 2011 found that "the age of the male partner has a significant impact on reproduction and on male sexual function, sperm parameters, and fertility, which all contribute to decreased fecundability, increased time to conception, and increased miscarriage rates."

A 2019 study found that male fertility naturally declines with age, particularly for men over 51. Sperm freezing can help negate the effects of ageing and be a backup plan if your partner needs to have IVF treatment or IUI treatment in the future.

Your sperm collection is typically split into several vials and kept in multiple storage tanks. When ready to use the sperm, it's carefully thawed in the laboratory until it reaches room temperature. We then analyse the motility and activity of your sperm. While some sperm may not survive, the sperm that does survive is usually more likely to result in pregnancy from IVF treatment.