Sperm Freezing
Sperm Freezing in Pakistan
Freezing sperm, commonly known as sperm banking, refers to collecting and storing a man’s sperm cells so they can be used in the future. It enables men to have their biological children later.
Men may want to freeze their sperm due to medical issues, fertility preservation, or personal reasons. Regardless of why you opt for this procedure, know that it’s safe, highly effective, and a reliable way of preserving your fertility. In fact, a report by the Human Fertilization & Embryology Authority suggests that in vitro fertilization (IVF) conducted using frozen sperm has the same success rates as that performed with fresh sperm. Stick around to learn more about the sperm freezing price in Pakistan, its process, and its benefits.
Overview of Sperm Freezing
A man’s ejaculate contains millions of sperm that travel through the woman’s cervix to the fallopian tubes. If a sperm reaches an egg and penetrates it, fertilization occurs. This results in pregnancy. Men who aren’t ready for children yet or those undergoing a medical treatment that may last for an extended period or affect their fertility can opt for sperm freezing.
For example, men undergoing chemotherapy can have their sperm frozen and stored for later use. If you are considering sperm preservation, you must choose a fertility clinic in Pakistan that’s equipped with the technology and infrastructure to support cryopreservation. For a sperm to thrive outside your body, it must be stored at a temperature below -196 degrees Celsius.
Sperm Freezing Process
Sperm freezing is a relatively straightforward process with simple steps. Here’s the step-by-step guide for the sperm freezing process in Pakistan:
Step 1: Initial Consultation and Testing
Preparations include a thorough medical examination, in which your doctor will test you for the genetic conditions, infections, and other medical illnesses that could be passed on to your offspring. You may also need to undergo fertility tests, such as semen analysis, to know your sperm count, motility, morphology, and other metrics.
Step 2: Semen Collection
The most common method for sperm collection is through masturbation. You can collect the sample at a fertility clinic or at home. Make sure you send the sample within an hour of collection to the fertility lab if you do it at home. If this doesn’t work, your doctor will discuss an invasive approach, i.e., testicular sperm extraction (TESE). The procedure is recommended for patients with a very low sperm count. In TESE, the sperm is extracted from your testicles using a fine needle.
Step 3: Sperm Analysis
Once the sample reaches the fertility clinic, an embryologist will carefully examine the semen to ensure it has enough sperm. They will also test the sample for motility, morphology, pH level, semen concentration, and other factors.
Step 4: Freezing and Storage
Before freezing sperm, the embryologist adds a cryoprotectant solution that prevents ice crystal formation on the inside and outside of the sperm cells. Then, the sperm is frozen at an extremely low temperature. The sperm remains frozen until they are ready to be used. At this point, the frozen sperm is thawed and injected into the woman’s uterus through Intrauterine Insemination (IUI) or IVF (combining the sperm with the woman’s eggs in a petri dish for assisted fertilization).
Sperm Freezing Price
In-vitro Fertilization is a widely performed assisted reproductive technology (ART) among couples who can’t get pregnant naturally after one year of trying. The procedure works for both female and male-factor infertility. It may sound simple, but the entire procedure is pretty complex and can sometimes take 2-3 weeks or longer.IVF is a series of steps, starting with ovarian stimulation (getting your ovaries to release mature eggs) and ending with embryo implantation. Before you set any unrealistic expectations, know that IVF isn’t a suitable treatment option for every couple. Whether or not it works for you depends on your age and the cause of infertility.
- Consultation Cost: You need to see a fertility specialist who will evaluate your health, discuss the sperm freezing procedure in detail, and order necessary tests.
- Semen Analysis: The next step is sperm analysis, a test that assesses your sperm’s health and viability for freezing. It checks whether your sperm count, quality, and other parameters are within the normal range.
- Cost of Freezing and Storage: You will be charged an annual storage fee for keeping the sperm in the facility’s storage unit. This price may vary by clinic. The cost of annual sperm storage can vary. Consult Australian Concept for pricing and counseling.
You can save on the sperm freezing price by working with a fertility clinic in Pakistan that makes the service affordable and accessible to the residents. Australian Concept Infertility Medical Center, for instance, offers significant savings through free first consultation, a personalized treatment package for each patient, and an overall reasonable freezing cost.
Benefits of Freezing Sperm
Sperm freezing offers many benefits for men who want to preserve their fertility. Here are a few:
- Preserve Fertility Before Medical Treatments: Men undergoing medical treatments that can interfere with their fertility might be good candidates for sperm freezing. Chemotherapy, for example, can affect sperm count and quality in men. So, having your sperm frozen before starting chemotherapy can give you a chance at having your biological children in the future.
- Hormone Therapy: Men considering gender-affirmation surgery may also consider sperm freezing. The therapy ceases sperm production in trans women, which is why those considering the surgery might want to preserve their fertility just in case they want to have their biological children in the future.
- Flexibility in Family Planning: Sperm freezing gives men a chance to delay parenthood without worrying about reduced fertility. Research shows that men’s sperm motility diminishes with advancing age. Having your sperm frozen at a young age ensures the best quality sperm are preserved for the future.
- Best for People in High-Risk Occupation: If you are in a high-risk occupation that could put your reproductive health at stake, sperm freezing is an effective way to preserve your fertility. High-risk professions include sports that can cause injury to your reproductive organs or a workplace environment that exposes you to harmful toxins.
FAQs
Sperm can remain frozen for decades. In fact, it can last indefinitely, given that it’s stored at an appropriate temperature.
Yes, it can affect sperm quality, but the damage is often minimized with cryoprotectants and other advanced solutions.
Yes, frozen sperm is commonly used for IVF and ICSI.
If you change your mind about using the stored sperm, you can have them discarded or give your consent for the sperm to be used for research purposes.
Conclusion
Sperm freezing is a popular, effective, and safe procedure for male fertility preservation. Whether it’s because of medical issues or your personal preferences, sperm freezing makes healthy sperm available for you whenever needed. If you are thinking about sperm freezing, talk to a professional fertility doctor at Australian Concept in Pakistan to know if you are a good candidate, the preparation tips, and the detailed procedure. Book your free consultation now!
