Semen freezing allows men to preserve viable sperm cells for years, so they may have children at the most appropriate time in life.
Semen freezing is a safe and effective method to preserve male fertility. This technique has become increasingly common among men who prefer or need to postpone fatherhood for personal, professional, or health-related reasons.
With this technique, men can take preventive care of their reproductive and overall male health, expanding possibilities for the future.
A decision like this, however, should be made with medical guidance and a full understanding of the process, which involves costs and long-term planning.
Learn how semen freezing works, who it may be recommended for, and in which situations this practice can be considered.
What Is Semen Freezing?
The process of semen freezing is known as cryopreservation.
Cryopreservation consists of collecting the semen, storing sperm cells in a cryoprotective solution, and freezing the sample in liquid nitrogen at approximately –196°C, for an indefinite period, aiming to preserve sperm viability over time.
Semen freezing can be part of family planning and fertility preservation strategies.
Cryopreservation may keep biological material available for a future attempt at pregnancy for couples who need to postpone parenthood due to personal, professional, or medical reasons, regardless of age.
Indications for Semen Freezing
This type of sperm preservation may be recommended in several clinical situations:
- Aggressive medical treatments such as chemotherapy, radiotherapy, or surgeries that may affect the testicles;
- Fertility problems that alter the amount, characteristics, or quality of semen, such as azoospermia;
- Vasectomy for men who wish to undergo the procedure but maintain the option of having children later;
- Aging, since sperm quantity and quality tend to decrease over time;
- Exposure to toxic agents throughout life, such as solvents, pesticides, or radiation.
A healthcare professional — such as a urologist, endocrinologist, or reproductive medicine specialist — is the appropriate physician to evaluate and recommend semen freezing.
How Much Does Semen Freezing Cost?
The cost of semen freezing depends mainly on the clinic’s pricing structure.
It is essential to review the contract carefully, as semen freezing involves several steps. These procedures may be charged together or separately, such as:
- Preliminary exams;
- Sample collection;
- Seminal analysis;
- Sample preparation;
- Freezing;
- Storage;
- Annual maintenance fee;
- Future retrieval.
Additionally, men should check details such as the number of samples collected, the number of allowed collections, the possibility of future collections, and transportation conditions.
In São Paulo’s capital, the price of semen freezing varies according to the clinic’s location and infrastructure.
Initial fees typically range from R$ 500 to R$ 1,700, and they may not include all steps. The annual maintenance fee generally adds around R$ 1,500 to the service.
How Semen Freezing Is Performed
Long-term semen storage in Brazil is a regulated procedure that follows technical and ethical standards for collecting, handling, identifying, transporting, storing, and using biological material, as well as criteria for safety and consent.
According to the Brazilian Health Regulatory Agency (Anvisa) and the Federal Council of Medicine (CFM), semen freezing follows these steps:
Informed Consent
The patient must sign a consent form stating they understand the purpose, duration, and storage conditions. The document must also define what happens to the material if the patient dies or stops renewing the contract.
Laboratory Exams and Seminal Analysis
Before collection, men must undergo blood tests for STIs to avoid contamination risks, especially when the material may be used for donation in sperm banks.
The semen analysis (spermogram) evaluates volume, sperm count, motility, and morphology. The results will determine the ideal number of samples to freeze for future use.
Sample Collection
Collection is performed through masturbation in a private room at the clinic. Men should maintain sexual abstinence for 2–7 days, as recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO).
After collection, the semen is placed in a sterile container and delivered to a technician within 60 minutes. The sample is then analyzed, receives cryoprotectants, and is frozen in liquid nitrogen.
Cryopreservation Techniques
Clinics currently use two main cryopreservation techniques:
- Slow freezing: the traditional method used in most sperm banks, in which the material is gradually cooled;
- Vitrification: an ultrafast cooling technique that may show different performance depending on the case and the protocols used.
Storage and Traceability
Each frozen sample must receive a unique identification code that ensures traceability and confidentiality.
Storage is performed in certified tanks with constant temperature monitoring and safety protocols.
How to Choose the Right Specialist for Semen Freezing
Choosing the right professional and clinic is essential, as the procedure requires proper laboratory structure and validated equipment.
The clinic must have active registration with Anvisa and CFM and a medical director with certified training in reproductive medicine and experience in cryopreservation techniques.
The physician should clearly explain all steps, costs, preservation times, and possible future use of samples.
The clinic environment should offer privacy while ensuring biological safety and traceability.
Patients should also be cautious when evaluating clinics and ensure they follow proper regulations and technical standards.
What to Consider Before the Consultation
Before scheduling the consultation, men should reflect on their true desire to have children.
Semen freezing is a decision that involves biological, ethical, and emotional considerations, as parenthood implies long-term responsibility.
Financial planning is also important.
Annual maintenance fees must be considered, as failing to pay may result in loss of the sample.
Questions About Semen or Fertility?
Questions about semen, sperm quality, or fertility preservation should be clarified with a qualified health professional.
Urologist and andrologist Dr. Paulo Egydio has more than 25 years of experience in men’s health and is available for individualized consultations.
Contact us for guidance and to better understand your options for fertility planning.
