Sperm Storage - Benefits

Sperm storage is beneficial and should be considered in these cases:

Pre-vasectomy Procedure

Vasectomy is considered one of the methods for male contraception. Although microscopic vasectomy reversal could be used to reverse it; results of this procedure are highly variable. Sperm storage prior to the vasectomy operation offers a reliable method for storing sperm in case you decide to have children in the future.

Pre-cancer Treatment (i.e. chemotherapy, radiation, surgery)

Cancer itself can cause infertility. For example, some men with testicular cancer and Hodgkin’s disease have low sperm counts even before treatment starts. Cancer treatments can also cause infertility. Chemotherapy, radiation and surgery can all affect your reproductive system. In general, the higher the dose and the longer the treatment, the higher the chance for reproductive problems. Age, the type of drugs, the location of radiation and other factors can influence your risk. An option to preserve a man's potential to father his own children at some future time is to freeze, or to store, samples of sperm before cancer treatment begins.

Making the choice to bank sperm is very personal. If you are married or in a committed relationship, it is the best if your partner is involved in your decision. If you are under age 18, your parents should be included in the discussion. Unfortunately, a man often has to make up his mind quickly, at a time when he may be facing a serious illness. Please visit cancer patient storage section for frequently asked questions about sperm storage in cancer patients.

Prior to Assisted Reproductive Techniques

In patients who are undergoing an assisted reproductive technique (insemination, in vitro fertilization or intracytoplasmic sperm injection), the need to provide a semen specimen on the day of the procedure may be a limiting factor. The benefit of storing sperm is to ensure that the specimen will be available on the day of the procedure regardless of the availability of the male partner.

Extended Travel or Absence Ovulation Time

Fertilization can only occur around the ovulation time in the female menstrual cycle. Male partners who continuously travel can easily miss this limited time frame. Again, the benefit of storing sperm in these cases is to ensure that the specimen will be available around the ovulation time.

High-risk Occupations (i.e. Military, Firemen, Policemen, Athlete's)

Men in high-risk occupations are exposed to certain agents such as contaminants, pollution, biological and chemical agents that could affect their fertility. Also, in some occupations the risk of testicular injury may be encountered. For these occupations, sperm storage offers peace of mind and the guaranteed potential of fathering children.

Others

Occasionally, therapeutic sperm banking is recommended in other situations when a man's fertility could be damaged by surgery, medical treatments or exposure to a toxic environment. If you are not sure whether a medical treatment could damage your fertility, please discuss this issue with your physician.