Sperm freezing is a simple, quick and highly effective way for men to preserve their fertility. Whether you are about to undergo medical treatment, planning a vasectomy, or simply want to preserve the option of fatherhood in the future, our team at Aria Fertility can help.
Sperm freezing, or sperm cryopreservation, involves producing a semen sample, which is analysed, processed and then frozen using liquid nitrogen for storage.
Frozen sperm can be stored for many years and used in a future fertility treatment – IUI, IVF or ICSI – when the time is right.
Prior to storage, infectious disease screening (HIV, Hepatitis B and C) is required by regulatory requirements. This can be arranged at Aria.
A semen sample is produced at the clinic (a private room is provided) or at home if the clinic is nearby. The sample should ideally be produced after 2–5 days of abstinence.
The sample is analysed by our embryologists and prepared for freezing. If sperm count or motility is low, we will discuss the implications with you.
Sperm is frozen in liquid nitrogen and stored at Aria.
Aria was founded by fertility professionals, which means every decision is driven by what is best for patients. You will have a dedicated consultant overseeing your care, supported by our team of highly experienced embryologists and nurses, to ensure you receive personalised, compassionate care.
Our laboratory was one of the first in the UK to use AI-assisted embryo selection, and our single-embryo transfer rate and multiple-pregnancy rate (currently 3.7%) reflect our commitment to safe, evidence-based care. We are regulated by the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) and publish our results transparently.
Our Marylebone clinic offers a calm, unhurried environment and personalised support from the first appointment to the final outcome.
Fertility preservation is a significant financial commitment, and we believe in being transparent about what that means from the outset.
When comparing prices between clinics, it’s worth ensuring you have a full breakdown of all components – consultation and laboratory fees and storage costs can vary considerably and are not always included in headline figures.
At Aria, we will discuss the expected costs during your initial consultation and provide you with a fully costed treatment plan before we start, so there are no surprises along the way.
The questions below are intended to give you a clear and honest overview. For advice specific to your situation, we always recommend booking a consultation with one of our team.
Does freezing affect sperm quality?
Freezing and thawing do reduce sperm motility to some degree, but for most men, this does not significantly affect the ability to achieve a successful pregnancy. If the sample is of good quality before freezing, it should remain usable after thawing.
Can I freeze sperm if I have a low count?
Yes. Sperm freezing is often recommended for men with a low sperm count, including before starting treatment that could affect fertility further. Depending on your semen analysis results, we may recommend freezing more than one sample to make sure there’s enough good quality sperm available for future treatment. Your assessment will include a clear conversation about what’s realistic for your individual results.
What happens if the sample quality is poor?
Our embryologists will advise you. It may still be possible to freeze and use a poor-quality sample with ICSI. In some cases, further investigation may be recommended before deciding whether to proceed with storage.
How many samples should I freeze?
It is generally advisable to freeze more than one sample if possible. Multiple straws are stored from each sample, and each straw contains enough sperm for a treatment cycle. We will tell you exactly how many straws were stored after the procedure.
How long can sperm be stored?
Sperm can be stored for up to 55 years under HFEA regulations. Annual consent renewal is required.
How do I use my frozen sperm in future treatment?
When you’re ready, your stored sperm is thawed and quality assessed in our laboratory before being used in IUI, IVF or ICSI treatment, whichever is most appropriate for you. You’ll need valid, up-to-date consent in place before it can be used, so it’s worth checking this before starting treatment, particularly if some time has passed since freezing (consent needs to be renewed every 10 years). Our team will talk you through this as part of your treatment planning.
What is the difference between sperm freezing and sperm donation?
Sperm freezing means preserving your own sperm for your own future use, for example before medical treatment that could affect your fertility, or because you’re not ready to start a family yet. Sperm donation means giving your sperm to help someone else conceive. At Aria, we offer known sperm donation, where you donate to someone you already know, such as a friend or family member.
Where is Aria Fertility?
We are located at 8 Welbeck Way, Marylebone, London W1G 9YL – a short walk from Bond Street Underground station. The clinic is deliberately discreet and calm, situated in a quiet mews in the heart of London’s medical district.
When you are ready and the time is right for you, the next step is to contact us, and we will help you arrange a face-to-face, telephone or video-call introduction with one of our consultants.
You can do this by filling in the contact form below or by calling one of our friendly team members on +44 (0) 203 263 6025.
We really look forward to getting to know you and helping guide you toward your next steps toward your dream family.
There are many reasons why you may wish to freeze your sperm. Some medical conditions or interventions, such as chemotherapy and radiotherapy can affect your sperm quality or you may wish to freeze your sperm before a vasectomy or gender reassignment surgery.
Before you freeze your sperm, we will carry out a fertility assessment, including a semen analysis, as well as screen you for transmittable diseases. We will also guide you through the implications of sperm freezing, including the instructions relating to how your sperm can be used in the event something happens to you. This consent can be modified or withdrawn at any time.
Once the sperm is collected, it is preserved in liquid nitrogen at very low temperatures of 196oC so it will not deteriorate. When you’re ready for your sperm to be used, it will be thawed and the quality assessed in our laboratory. It can then be used in either IUI, IVF or ICSI treatment.
Sperm freezing is a simple and effective way to preserve your fertility.
How long can my sperm be frozen for?
Your sperm can be frozen indefinitely, depending on how long you have consented for its storage. The law permits you to store your gametes or embryos for use in your own treatment for any period up to a maximum of 55 years from the date that the gametes or embryos were first placed in storage. However, you will need to renew your consent every 10 years and you will be contacted by the clinic regarding an additional period of storage or, renewal of your consent to storage, at the appropriate time.
What are the success rates of using frozen sperm?
Not all sperm survive the freezing and thawing process, but advances in technology has greatly increased the success rate and fertilisation rates are consistent between frozen and fresh sperm.
When you are ready and the time is right for you, the next step is to contact us and we will help you arrange a face-to-face, telephone or video-call introduction with one of our consultants.
You can do this by filling in the contact form below or by giving one of our friendly team a call on +44 (0) 203 263 6025.
We really look forward to getting to know you and helping guide those next steps toward your dream family.