Sperm freezing 101 | Progyny

Updated by the Progyny Clinical Team — September 2025.

Sperm freezing is becoming a common choice if you want to protect your future fertility. What is it, why might you do it, and when should you consider it?

What is sperm freezing and how common is it?

Sperm freezing, also called cryopreservation, is the process of preserving sperm at very low temperatures for future use. You may use frozen sperm later for fertility treatments such as in vitro fertilization (IVF) or intrauterine insemination (IUI). You may also choose to donate sperm to help others conceive.

More people are choosing this option as awareness grows, and more clinics and sperm banks make it available.

Should you consider freezing sperm?

You may decide to freeze your sperm for medical, treatment-related, or personal reasons.

Medical reasons

• Chemotherapy and radiation can harm sperm production. Freezing sperm before cancer treatment protects your option of having biological children later.
• Conditions such as multiple sclerosis or diabetes can affect ejaculation over time.
• If you have a low sperm count (oligospermia), freezing multiple samples and combining them later may improve your chances of conception.

Treatment-related reasons

• Surgical procedures involving the testicles, prostate, or bladder can affect ejaculation or fertility.
• Freezing sperm before a vasectomy provides a backup option without needing a reversal.
• If you’re a trans woman, you may choose to freeze sperm before starting hormone therapy or surgery, since these treatments can affect fertility.
• Having sperm stored ensures it’s available on the day of IVF or IUI, which removes stress about timing during fertility treatments.

Personal or lifestyle reasons

• Viruses such as Zika or Ebola can affect fertility and pregnancy outcomes. Freezing sperm before you travel to high-risk areas may lower risks for future conception.
• If you serve in the military, work as a firefighter, play contact sports, or are exposed to toxins, sperm freezing can help protect your fertility.
• You may want to bank sperm for peace of mind, especially if you’re not ready to build a family right now.

What is the process like?

Freezing sperm usually takes one to three clinic visits. Here’s what you can expect:

1. Paperwork and consent forms
2. Providing a semen sample
3. Infectious disease screening — usually a blood and urine test
4. Processing and freezing — your sperm are stored in secure liquid nitrogen tanks

Your provider may recommend multiple visits depending on how many samples you want to store.

How does sperm storage work?

Your frozen sperm can stay viable indefinitely. Pregnancies have been reported from sperm stored for more than 25 years.

Your samples are kept in vials inside liquid nitrogen tanks. Clinics use careful tracking and continuous monitoring to make sure your samples stay safe. Most fertility clinics offer sperm freezing directly, and those that don’t usually refer you to a specialized sperm bank.

Key takeaway

Sperm freezing is a safe and effective way to preserve your fertility. Whether for medical, treatment-related, or personal reasons, banking sperm can give you peace of mind and keep your future family-building options open.

If you have questions or concerns, Progyny is here for you. Please contact your Progyny Care Advocate for support.

Disclaimer: The information provided by Progyny is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider for medical guidance.