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Sperm Freezing

For patients undergoing IUI or IVF at Boston IVF, we offer short-term sperm freezing if medically necessary. As we are not a long-term storage facility, this service is only available during active treatment cycles.

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The Sperm Freezing Process

The sperm freezing process typically begins with a consultation with a reproductive urologist, who will guide you on the best approach and determine if any special testing or preparation is necessary for your samples.

When it’s time to freeze, you’ll provide a semen sample, usually through masturbation at home or in the clinic. In some cases, sperm is retrieved surgically from testicular tissue or epididymal fluid. The sample is collected in a sterile cup and sent to the lab.

Since up to 50% of sperm may not survive cryopreservation, the lab performs a basic semen analysis to confirm the sperm’s health and ensure there’s enough for freezing. The sperm is then divided into vials and preserved in liquid nitrogen.

With high-quality cryopreservation, frozen sperm can be stored for fertility treatments or donations for years to come.

Please Note: For patients undergoing IUI or IVF at Boston IVF, we provide short-term sperm freezing when medically necessary. As we are not a long-term storage facility, this service is only available during active treatment cycles.

Who chooses to freeze?

Elective Reasons

Age

Planning a vasectomy

High-risk occupation

Military deployment

Medical Indications

Cancer diagnosis requiring chemo/radiation

Gender transition

Testosterone replacement therapy

Testicular trauma

What happens when I'm ready to conceive?

When you’re ready to begin or continue your journey to building a family, your frozen sperm sample(s) can be used in various fertility treatments.

You and your partner, if applicable, would select a fertility care provider. If it’s a different location than where your sperm is stored, the frozen vials would be transferred there. The vial to be used is then thawed at room temperature and evaluated under a microscope to confirm there are sufficient active sperm.

The sperm can then be used, just like a fresh sample, in procedures such as IUI, IVF, or even intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI).

If you are facing cancer treatment and wish to preserve your fertility by freezing your sperm, speak with a urologist as soon as you can. A urologist can help you understand your options and be a supportive advocate during your treatment.

Stephen Lazarou, MD

Reproductive Urologist

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Fertility care beyond fertility treatments

Boston IVF's Waltham Center is proud to be New England’s only fertility clinic offering an on-site wellness center with holistic treatments to complement our best-in-class medical care:

✓ Therapy
✓ Acupuncture
✓ Nutritional Counseling

For patients in ME, NH, NY, and RI – inquire with your clinical team to receive a comprehensive list of local resources.

Explore The Wellness Center at Boston IVF

Insurance, Financing & More

Your care team includes a financial coordinator who verifies your insurance benefits, helps you explore all available financing options, and advocates on your behalf to expand insurance coverage for fertility treatments.

Learn more about fertility insurance & financing

INSURANCE

Our finance team will work with your insurer to maximize your fertility care benefits and help you advocate for yourself.

FINANCING

If you are responsible for the costs of treatment, financing can help make this expense more manageable. Talk to our financial team about your options.

MILITARY DISCOUNT

Boston IVF offers 25% off IVF and donor egg IVF for all active duty military, reserves, veterans, and retirees – including their spouses.

Real Patient Stories

With 150,000 Boston IVF babies born to date, there’s a story for every experience. Hear from people who have been in your shoes.

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About Egg Freezing

Fertility preservation for couples is a possibility with embryo freezing. Think of it as IVF, with the final step delayed until you’re ready to get pregnant.

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Pioneering modern fertility treatments for all modern families.

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Wherever you are in your fertility journey, we look forward to being part of your story.

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Pursuing assisted reproductive technologies to build your family can be full of uncertainty. We’re always here, and we’re always happy to help.

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