Fertility Preservation For Men

Male fertility preservation allows men to preserve their sperm in the event that they later want to have biological children. The best way to preserve male fertility depends on each person’s individual situation and is influenced by factors like age, medical history, and whether the person has a partner. Below, we discuss male fertility preservation in Melbourne and how Viera Fertility Clinic can help.

Why Fertility Preservation?

As men age, the quantity and quality of their sperm decreases. This begins around the age of 35 and continues throughout the rest of a man’s life. By the time a man is in his 40s, his chances of fathering a child are significantly lower than when he was in his 20s.

Beyond age, other factors that can affect a man’s fertility include health conditions like diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and sexually transmitted infections. Certain medications and environmental factors can also have an impact on male fertility.

Men may choose to preserve their sperm for a variety of reasons. This includes delaying parenthood without the negative impact on sperm quality, or a medical condition that could affect fertility.

For example, someone planning to undergo chemotherapy for cancer may want to preserve their sperm ahead of time in case fertility is influenced.

What Happens During Male Fertility Preservation?

Male fertility preservation typically involves sperm cryopreservation, which involves freezing and storing a semen sample in liquid nitrogen. This sample may be collected manually and taken to a laboratory for processing and freezing.

Prior to collection, a detailed semen analysis will be done to ensure the sperm are of good enough quality to preserve. In some cases, men may want to complete fertility treatments prior to preservation.

You’ll need to undergo a physical exam and provide a detailed medical history to your physician. You’ll likely need to abstain from ejaculation for a few days before giving a sperm sample. This is because prior ejaculation can reduce the number of sperm in your semen sample and skew your test results.

There are also other forms of preserving male fertility. Gonadal shielding, for example, can help protect a man’s ability to produce sperm naturally. Gonadal shielding is a practice used in medical imaging that involves the use of a lead apron or another shielding device to protect the gonads from direct exposure to radiation during certain forms of diagnostic testing and medical treatment.

Using Your Preserved Sample

When you’re ready to use your sperm to conceive, the sperm will need to be thawed and prepared for use. Then, the sperm is usually used for in vitro fertilization (IVF).

Melbourne IVF Process

The IVF process involves taking eggs from the female partner and impregnating them with the thawed sperm sample in a strict laboratory setting. Only the highest quality samples are used, and sperm that are immobile, damaged, or otherwise less than ideal are discarded.

These embryos are then graded and those that are viable are implanted into the desired carrier’s uterus. It’s normal to lose embryos during the transfer, so more than one embryo is implanted at a time. In some cases, this results in a multiple pregnancy, so it’s something to be prepared for.

Preserve Your Fertility Today

Get help preserving your ability to have a biological child by contacting the team at Viera Fertility Clinic in Melbourne, Florida. We offer a wide variety of fertility treatment and preservation options, and our clinicians will work closely with you and your family to find the right solutions for you. Contact us today to learn more or book your appointment by dialing 321.751.4673.