How Long Can Sperm Stay Frozen? What the Research Says

There are several reasons why someone might choose to preserve their sperm for the long term, like undergoing fertility-impacting medical treatment, serving in the military, or starting hormones for gender transition. Whatever the situation, it’s normal to have concerns about sperm viability after freezing. Fortunately, when sperm is properly frozen and stored, it can remain viable indefinitely, allowing you to grow your family on your own timeline.

The Long-Term Sperm Storage Process

The long-term storage of sperm, also known as cryopreservation, requires freezing sperm at extremely low temperatures to preserve it for future use. The process involves:

• Sperm collection: Sperm samples are typically collected through masturbation at a fertility clinic.
• Semen analysis: The collected sample is analyzed to assess sperm count, motility (movement), and morphology (shape).
• Freezing and storing: Sperm are combined with a cryoprotective solution to prevent damage during freezing. They are then gradually cooled and stored in liquid nitrogen at -320°F.
• Thawing and using: When needed, the sperm is thawed by warming the vials and can be used in fertility treatments like intrauterine insemination (IUI) and in vitro fertilization (IVF).

The Safety and Reliability of Cryostorage

Modern cryostorage methods are recognized as safe and effective for preserving fertility. Research indicates that 74% to 84% of sperm survive the freezing and thawing process, depending on the duration of storage. Since each sample contains millions of sperm, a loss of 15% to 26% is unlikely to affect the clinical outcome. In fact, studies have shown no notable differences in success rates between using fresh and frozen sperm.

Learn More About Fertility Preservation

Freezing sperm is an excellent option for preserving fertility because once sperm is cryopreserved, it will not age, degrade, or change over time. At The Fertility Center of California, we have successfully cryopreserved and stored semen samples for over 40 years, assisting many individuals in achieving conception. We utilize advanced cryopreservation technology and collaborate to create a customized plan tailored to the specific characteristics of your sample. For more information about sperm preservation in San Diego or Orange County, request a consultation today.