The purpose of cryopreserving semen (sperm banking) is to help ensure the possibility of conception in the future. When choosing a sperm bank, it is important to find a facility that you believe will be in business for many years to come (we have been open since the 1980s) so that you can safely store your sperm long-term.

At the Fertility Center of California-through Family Fertility CryoBank-our sperm bank uses the most advanced medical equipment available and has around the clock security to keep your specimens safe. If you are reaching advanced reproductive age, have a hazardous occupation or will undergo major surgery, you are an excellent candidate for sperm banking.

What to expect:

Prior to the collection of semen, sexual abstinence for at least 2 days, but not more than 5 days, is recommended to maximize the quality of the sample for cryopreservation.

The specimen will be collected into a sterile container through masturbation. Collection may occur at home, provided that it does not take more than 1 hour to bring the sample to our facility. Otherwise, specimens may be collected at our facility in our private rooms designated for this purpose. Please bring a valid photo ID to your appointment. During your first visit, we will draw blood for the infectious disease screening. You can call our office for lab results the day after your appointment and decide if you would like to store more samples at our cryopreservation center.

A sperm sample will be divided into one or more vials depending on the number of motile sperm in the original sample. Each vial is used for one insemination attempt. However, some physicians like to use two vials per insemination or even perform two inseminations per cycle. No one can predict in advance how many vials are needed to achieve a pregnancy, so it is always better to have more than needed. We recommend at least 12 vials (3-6 separate samples with 2-5 days of abstinence for each) to be stored. The vials can also be used in advanced reproductive techniques such as IVF.

Reasons to Cryopreserve Sperm

Medical Reasons

Some men discover they have diseases or must undergo treatment or surgery, which will cause permanent sterilization or genetic damage. As cancer detection and treatment techniques improve, more conditions such as cancer are being detected at younger ages in men, with longer survival rates. Therefore, more men in their fertile years are now considering cryopreservation to preserve their fertility after cancer diagnosis.

Pre-Vasectomy Sperm Banking

Some fertile men wish to have a vasectomy, but still desire to keep the option open to father children should their circumstances change in the future.

Military & Hazardous Occupation Fertility Preservation

Some men are engaged in high-risk occupations, which involve exposure to radiation, dangerous chemicals, or physical harm. Sperm banking helps ensure their chance of fathering children in the future. These occupations may force them to be away from their partners during a period of time in which they had planned to conceive a child. Artificial insemination using cryopreserved semen allows such couples a chance to follow their desired plan. We offer an @Home Sperm Freezing Kit for last minute deployments or emergencies.