The sperm-freezing process is much simpler and less invasive than egg-freezing, so the associated costs are generally lower. But, there’s still a price tag attached to the procedure, which makes it essential to plan ahead. If you’re thinking about freezing your sperm, here’s what you need to know about the cost of each part of the process, so you can be prepared before making any long-term decisions.
How Much Should You Expect to Spend to Freeze Your Sperm?
The price typically includes the entire sperm-freezing process, including collection, analysis, appointment fees, and storage. Costs can vary depending on where you live, which fertility clinic you use, and what type of medical insurance you have. Claire O’Neill is a co-founder of FertilitySpace, an online platform that aims to help individuals find fertility clinics and physicians. She says that semen analysis and freezing usually costs around $500, but it does depend on the clinic. Barry Witt, MD, a board-certified reproductive endocrinologist and member of the WINFertilityMedical Advisory Board, agrees. He says because sperm-freezing generally requires no medications for production or collection, it is relatively inexpensive. He notes that freezing a sperm sample might cost anywhere between $250-$1000, depending on both the clinic and sample size.
Factors That Influence Sperm-Freezing Costs
People with male reproductive systems are not necessarily under the same “biological clock” pressures as those with uteruses. Therefore, sperm-freezing for longevity purposes is less common. However, Dr. Witt notes, “There is a higher risk for offspring with autism and some genetic diseases when the male is over 50." He also notes that male fertility does decline with age. Sperm-freezing at a younger age may prevent some of these disorders or complications, but Dr. Witt cautions people to consider the cost if they’re looking to store samples for years or even decades. He suggests defining how big of a family you would like, and when you’d hope to start conceiving. Both decisions affect storage costs, which can range from $100 to $500 per year. The longer you store frozen sperm, the more it will cost in the end. There are also medical shipping costs associated with safely moving sperm from the storage facility to wherever they will be later implanted. To get ahead of mounting costs, it is important to have a plan and a timeline before beginning the cryopreservation process. Doctor consultations, lab testing, and bloodwork are also inevitable costs to consider. “Consultation costs depend on the physician,” O’Neill notes, adding that they can run a few hundred dollars. And if you’re at the clinic with a female partner for fertility purposes, the consult will likely be billed under her name. “Most of the consultation will be to plan her treatment, such as intrauterine insemination (IUI) or in vitro fertilization (IVF),” O’Neill adds.
Money-Saving Advice From Experts
There are many options for saving money while pursuing cryopreservation. Military and employer benefits can be coupled with health insurance to offset some of the costs. If you are considering sperm-freezing for medical reasons, Dr. Witt notes that there may be discounts or grants for those with cancer who want to freeze their sperm. He also suggests using a clinical fertility advocate to help consider your options, create plans, and prepare to meet the reproductive endocrinologist. “These fertility advocates will help the patient make better-informed choices, use providers that will ensure the best outcomes, and also cost-effectively build the family they hope to have,” Dr. Witt adds. To avoid unnecessary additional costs, O’Neill advises patients to have bloodwork for infectious disease testing done with their primary care physician or healthcare provider under their regular medical insurance. Transferring the results to your fertility provider later could help avoid the out-of-pocket fees of doing bloodwork at their clinic. If you are freezing for fertility reasons, ask your healthcare provider the amount of semen needed. “You’ll have the option to freeze multiple vials of sperm from one sample,” O’Neill points out. You may be able to ask the clinic’s andrology team to split the sample into two vials if you have over the normal sperm count threshold in your sample. This avoids having to freeze additional sperm, particularly if you plan to use this sample in the future for IUI or IVF. Additionally, some companies now produce at-home semen-freezing kits. These kits make the entire process more convenient and private. Furthermore, it eliminates travel and clinical costs. Sppare kits, for example, sell for around $300 per sample, and they include lab results. If you’re considering freezing sperm in the hopes of helping another family conceive, there’s a financial incentive to do so. Most sperm banks will reimburse the donor for expenses and transportation. According to Fairfax Cryobank, sperm donors are paid between $100-$150 per visit. The website says if you donate one or two times a week, you can earn an average of $4,000 in six months.
A Word From Verywell
Whether you’re planning to freeze sperm to plan for your family’s future, or if you have a medical reason for doing so, there are costs involved. Since the process is much less invasive than egg-freezing, it does cost less. The cost will depend on where you live, the clinic you choose, and how long you plan to freeze the sperm for. It is important to collect all the information you need before making a decision. A clinical fertility advocate or a medical professional can help you consider all of your options.
