Sperm Freezing in Vancouver, British Columbia

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Sperm Freezing

Sperm Freezing

Men seeking to preserve their fertility, whether for health reasons or personal choice, can opt for sperm freezing, also known as sperm banking or cryopreservation. This secure and proven method has empowered individuals and couples to safeguard their future fertility on their own terms. It's important to note that children conceived through frozen sperm are just as healthy as those conceived naturally, with no increased risks for typical birth conditions. If you're considering sperm freezing, it's crucial for you (and your partner, if applicable) to thoroughly understand the process, ensuring adequate preparation and safeguarding of your specimen.

The Benefits of Choosing PCRM for Sperm Freezing

At PCRM, we pride ourselves on offering unparalleled sperm-freezing services, setting us apart from other fertility clinics. We employ advanced technologies, including our unique High-Security Straws and controlled-rate freezers, guaranteeing the utmost safety and quality of your frozen sample. What truly distinguishes us is our unwavering commitment to security. Our storage facility is fortified with multiple layers of access control, and monitored by dedicated security staff 24/7. Liquid nitrogen-filled tanks ensure the longevity of your samples, even during power outages. With PCRM, your reproductive future is not just secure; it’s in the most capable and caring hands

Common Reasons for Sperm Freezing

There are a number of reasons to consider sperm freezing (a.k.a. sperm cryopreservation). Some couples find it more convenient to have sperm frozen in advance of their assisted reproductive technology (ART) procedures, such as in intrauterine insemination (IUI), also called artificial insemination, or in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatment, particularly if they anticipate collection difficulties, a low sperm count, or if the male partner is going to be out-of-town.
Male patients may also opt to freeze sperm before undergoing a vasectomy or a medical treatment that is expected to make them sterile, such as chemotherapy or radiation treatment. In these cases, freezing their sperm beforehand provides an effective means of fertility preservation for use in the future. Transgender women can also choose to freeze their sperm before or after starting hormone therapy. In addition, men working in dangerous occupations or hazardous conditions may consider sperm banking.

How the Sperm Freezing Process Works

With sperm freezing, the patient typically produces their semen sample at PCRM in one of our private collection rooms. Their blood will also be drawn at this time for an infectious disease screening. The sperm is analyzed and then diluted carefully with a cryoprotectant solution designed to protect the sperm during freezing. Once diluted, the sample is divided and placed into High-Security Straws, a cryopreservation system that minimizes any risk of sample cross-contamination within the storage tank.

These straws have a separate compartment so that the sample’s identification and sample can be sealed inside. They’re heat-sealed at both ends and then cooled in controlled-rate freezers. Once the samples have cooled to -150°C, they are transferred into a storage compartment in a liquid nitrogen storage tank, where they are stored at -196°C until needed. The samples can be stored indefinitely, with no apparent degradation in quality. In most cases, should it be used for IVF, frozen sperm works as well as fresh sperm.

Frequently Asked Questions About Sperm Freezing

To access our storage facility, someone would need to pass through a series of locked doors, which are only accessible to specific PCRM medical and laboratory staff. Our facility also has an independent security system and security guards for the building, 24 hours a day. The storage tanks are filled with liquid nitrogen, and the levels are checked and recorded weekly. The holding time for these tanks is several weeks, meaning that if for some reason it was not possible to top up the liquid nitrogen, the samples could still stay frozen. Also, because we use liquid nitrogen and not electricity, samples will remain safely frozen during power outages.
No, you cannot successfully freeze your sperm away from our facility, as you must have access to a laboratory with the proper quality controls in place. For instance, sperm must be stored at minus 196 degrees centigrade, whereas the average home freezer can only reach a temperature of minus 18 degrees centigrade.

However, you can produce your specimen at home or another location in preparation for freezing. Services are available to send you a sperm collection and storage kit. Once the specimen is provided, the kit is sent back overnight to the lab for storage. If you prefer to produce your own sample outside, please be aware that it must be returned to our facility in no more than 1 hour.
Frozen sperm is used in fertility treatments through a process called thawing. Thawing is the procedure of warming and preparing frozen sperm for use in assisted reproductive techniques, such as IUI and IVF. After thawing, the sperm samples are assessed to determine the percentage of viable and motile sperm.

Choose PCRM for Sperm Freezing in Canada

Sperm freezing helps many individuals and couples take control of their family-building plans. Preserve your future fertility by connecting with PCRM today for a sperm-freezing consultation.

Sperm Freezing

Sperm Freezing

The Benefits of Choosing PCRM for Sperm Freezing

Common Reasons for Sperm Freezing

How the Sperm Freezing Process Works

Frequently Asked Questions About Sperm Freezing

How secure is my frozen sample?

Can patients freeze their sperm on their own outside of the clinic?

How is frozen sperm used in fertility treatments?

Choose PCRM for Sperm Freezing in Canada