When planning your future, you probably dream of becoming a father one day. But sometimes things happen in life that we don't expect. A medical condition, a treatment to be received, or other personal reasons may hinder your ability to have a child in the future. So, today we are going to talk about the best way to preserve your fertility in such a situation. That is sperm banking.
What is sperm banking?
Simply put, sperm banking is the process of taking your sperm cells, freezing them in a special way, and storing them in a specialized medical facility (sperm bank) for future use.
We all know that sperm are the reproductive cells of a man. They are produced in your testicles. A milliliter of semen released during orgasm contains millions of sperm. So, in this process, your healthy sperm is stored safely for the future, without any loss of quality.
Why would someone decide to bank sperm?
This is a very personal decision. If you think your current situation could affect your ability to become a father in the future, it's worth considering. Let's look at what those reasons might be.
| Reason | Description |
|---|---|
| Health conditions | Cancers such as testicular cancer, Hodgkin's lymphoma, and leukemia put men at high risk of infertility. |
| Treatment received | Sperm production may decrease or stop completely after treatments for cancer, such as chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and orchiectomy. |
| Age | Sperm quality generally declines after the age of 40. Therefore, storing sperm at a young age can increase the chances of conceiving a healthy child in the future. |
| Decreased sperm count | Some young men may have low sperm counts. By storing even a small amount of good quality sperm, children can be conceived later through methods such as in vitro fertilization with ICSI. |
| Other reasons | This method is also useful for those who travel frequently for work, those who are engaged in risky jobs such as military service, and those who have undergone a vasectomy as a family planning method and want to have children later. |
The most important thing is that if you are diagnosed with a serious illness like cancer, you should talk to your doctor about it before starting treatment .
How does this process happen?
This process will not delay your medical care. It is usually a simple matter of a few steps.
1. Screening Tests
Before your sperm is stored, you will be tested for sexually transmitted infections (STIs). For example, syphilis, hepatitis B and C, and HIV/AIDS. This usually involves a blood test. This is to make sure that your sperm sample is completely healthy.
2. Obtaining a semen sample
For this, you will be referred to a specialized fertility clinic, where you will be given a private room and a special, clean container with a lid to collect your semen.
You can masturbate in that room and add semen to that container.
We know this is a bit difficult and personal. But the medical staff is very knowledgeable about this and will provide you with any support and advice you need. So there's no need to be shy.
Important:
- Do not use regular lubricants or saliva. They can damage sperm. If necessary, a special lubricant that is not harmful to sperm can be obtained from the clinic.
- If this is difficult to do at a clinic, some places offer facilities to collect the sample at home and bring it to the clinic within a few hours. Ask your doctor about this.
- To obtain the best quality sample, it is best to provide the sample at least 48 hours after having sex or masturbating.
3. Freezing and Storing
Once we receive the sample you provided, we will record details such as your name and identification number to ensure its security.
Then, a small amount of it is taken for testing, and the rest is separated into small portions (cryovials). To protect the sperm from damage when frozen, a special chemical liquid called a cryopreservative is added to this.
These samples are then stored in several stages in tanks of liquid nitrogen at a temperature of minus 196 degrees Celsius (-196°C) . This method allows the sperm cells to remain viable for years without any damage.
How do you test sperm?
The quality of your sample is checked before and after it is frozen.
- Total sperm count: How many sperm are in the sample?
- Live sperm count: How many of them are live?
- Motility: What percentage of sperm move well?
Based on the results of these tests, doctors can advise you on how many samples you will need to have a child in the future, and whether intrauterine insemination (IUI) or in vitro fertilization (IVF) is best.
What are the advantages of this method?
- Fertility preservation: The main benefit is to be able to overcome infertility that may be caused by medical conditions or treatments and ensure the opportunity to become a father in the future.
- Safety: Children conceived using frozen sperm in this way are not at risk of congenital conditions. They are as healthy as children conceived normally.
- Shelf life: If stored properly, sperm samples can last for years without any damage.
Are there any risks or complications?
Even if there are no major complications, it's good to be aware of some things.
- Difficulty obtaining a sample: Some medical conditions (e.g., erectile dysfunction) may make it difficult to obtain a semen sample through masturbation. In such cases, doctors can surgically obtain sperm directly from the testicles (e.g., microTESE, PESA).
- Cost: There is a cost for sperm banking and annual storage. You can find out more about this by checking with the clinic.
- Hereditary diseases: If you have a hereditary disease, such as cancer, it is important to talk to a genetic counselor about it and be aware of the risks to your future child.
Take-Home Message
- Sperm banking is a very valuable and safe method to protect the dream of becoming a father in the future.
- It is essential to talk to your doctor about this, especially before starting treatment for a condition like cancer.
- This process may feel personal and uncomfortable, but remember that it is a normal medical procedure and that medical staff are there to support you.
- It is important to legally delegate (e.g. through a last will and testament) authority to your partner or a trusted person regarding what happens to your stored sperm if you die.
- If you have any questions or concerns about this, feel free to discuss them openly with your doctor.
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