Thinking about delaying parenthood but keeping your options open? Whether you’re focused on climbing the corporate ladder or about to undergo treatments like chemotherapy that could affect your fertility, freezing your sperm might be the way to go. It’s the best option to safeguard your future family plans until you’re ready. The process involves collecting, analysing, and freezing sperm for future use. So, to keep your sperm safe and well-preserved over the years, choosing the right sperm storage facility is crucial.
However, the challenge lies in the fact that not all sperm banks offer the same standards of security and care. So, when choosing the one, you must always evaluate the bank’s technology prowess and long-term storage practices to ensure they fit your needs. For instance, LifeCell offers advanced sperm banking services you might want to explore. For more information, you can visit www.lifecell.in.
To further assist you in making informed decisions, we’ve compiled a list of essential factors you need to consider when selecting the right sperm bank.
Factors To Consider When Choosing A Sperm Bank
1. Check If They Provide Health Screenings
Make sure the sperm storage facility screens for infectious diseases before collecting your sperm. This step usually involves a quick blood test to check for any sexually transmitted infections. This ensures your sperm is safe for future use.
2. Verify The Collection & Shipping Process
When choosing a sperm bank, ensure they prioritise your privacy, safety, and security during sample collection. If you’re collecting at-home samples, look for discreet packaging for the kit and verify their data security policy to protect your personal information. If you’re collecting at a clinic, ensure the facility maintains a private and comfortable environment. Finally, ensure the sample is picked up and delivered to the facility on time to keep it viable.
3. Verify Sperm Storage Conditions
A crucial factor for long-term sperm viability is maintaining the appropriate storage temperature. The ideal temperature for storing sperm is -196°C, kept in liquid nitrogen. This extreme cold temperature prevents ice crystal formation, which can damage sperm cells.
To verify a facility’s adherence to these standards, consider scheduling a visit or virtual tour. This will allow you to inspect their storage equipment, temperature logs, and overall facility setup.
4. Look For Advanced Techniques
When selecting a sperm storage facility, look for one that uses advanced methods like Double Density Gradient Centrifugation (DDGC). This technique ensures only the strongest, healthiest sperm are stored by filtering out the weaker ones and eliminating those with damaged DNA.
Facilities that use these techniques can boost your odds of future fertility success. If you want to dig deeper, take some time to research DDGC or ask the facility to break it down for you.
5. Look Out For Accreditations & License
When choosing a sperm storage facility, look for one with proper accreditations and licenses. Certifications like CAP (College of American Pathologists) and AATB (American Association of Tissue Banks) indicate that the facility meets high standards for safety, ethical practices, and overall reliability. With these certifications, you can trust the facility to store your sperm securely.
6. Evaluate Storage Durations & Costs
Before choosing a sperm bank, consider the storage duration options and associated costs. Many sperm banks offer flexible plans that range from short-term to several decades, depending on your future family planning needs. Additionally, thoroughly review the pricing details, including any hidden fees for extended storage, to fully understand the long-term financial commitment that you are about to make.
Final Words..
Now that you understand how to choose the right sperm storage facility, consider this when selecting or re-evaluating your choice. Ensure the facility adheres to the stringent safety, technology, and privacy standards we discussed earlier.
LifeCell is one such sperm banking option that ticks all the boxes. As India’s first private long-term sperm bank, LifeCell offers sperm banking for all those men who wish to preserve their seeds of parenting and nurture their dream of parenthood when they are ready!
SpermVault offers you many other benefits such as:
- Convenient sample collection at home that also ensures complete confidentiality
- 6-12 cryovials storage – based on the chosen plans
- Storage plans of – 1, 5 and 10 years
- Easy upgradation of storage plans
- Retrieval on demand
- Quality guarantee and disaster relief coverage
For more details on how LifeCell can support your path to fatherhood, visit www.lifecell.in.