Sperm Storage
Sperm banking offers a reliable alternative to vasectomy reversal for those who may want children in the future. Stored sperm can be used for IVF, ICSI, or IUI when the time comes.
Choose a lab you trust.
Below are a few examples to get an idea.
ReproTech, Ltd.
Website: ReproTech
Contact: 888-953-9669
Service: Partners with fertility centers for cryopreservation and long-term storage. Use their OverNite Male™ Kit for $575 if you can't visit a center.
Xytex Corporation
Website: Xytex
Contact: 1-800-353-5748
Service: Offers Cryokit® for at-home sperm collection. Collect and mail three samples for testing. You can choose to store if sperm quality is good.
Cryo
Choice
Website: CryoChoice
Contact: 404-325-0907
Service: Home kit costs $599 for the first year, including collection, processing, and storage. Minimum three-year storage at $139/year thereafter.
Ro Sperm Kit
Website: Ro Sperm Kit
Contact: 800-619-7869
Service: Offers at-home collection and mailing for $199. This includes analysis and 1-year storage at New England Cryogenic Center, as well as a detailed evaluation of sperm quality.
Fellow
Website: Fellow
Contact: support@meetfellow.com
Service: Offers at-home collection with prepaid return shipping. Analysis of sperm is $189 and storage of sperm is $140 per year. They also offer a detailed evaluation of sperm quality and health.
Frozen Semen.
While you may be able to preserve your semen without significant professional fees (other than those for storage), you will need a gynecologist’s assistance to use it.
If the semen is of good quality (high sperm count and motility), it can be directly injected into your partner's cervix during ovulation, a process called artificial insemination (AI) or intra-uterine insemination (IUI). You can check with local GYN offices to learn the current cost of AI. The chance of pregnancy in the first month of use for women under 35 is about 18.5%, nearly the same as the natural monthly pregnancy rate (20%) for healthy couples of similar age.
If the semen is of sub-optimal quality (low sperm count or motility), an infertility specialist may recommend in-vitro fertilization (IVF). This involves surgically harvesting your partner's eggs, fertilizing them with your thawed sperm, and implanting the fertilized embryos into the uterus. IVF can be quite costly, with expenses rising depending on the number of attempts.
Summary.
While vasectomy reversal success rates are high, it’s important to note that reversals don’t always restore sperm to the semen. Cryopreservation (freezing semen) before the procedure can ease concerns about the permanence of the vasectomy and potential reversal failure. For under $1,000, three semen samples can be collected, evaluated, and stored for up to two years. Although most men won’t need the stored sperm, it offers peace of mind knowing it’s available if needed.