Sperm banking

Infertility has not always been a concern associated with men but awareness is important.

According to Dr Moshokoa, Urologist at Mediclinic Midstream, as men age, testosterone production may decline as detailed in partial androgen deficiency of ageing men (PADAM). A decrease in serum testosterone affects the quality and quantity of sperm, which can affect the ability to conceive. However, there are proactive measures to preserve fertility, which include sperm banking.

The current trend sees men and women delaying starting their families and there’s a growing need for both men and women to invest in regular check ups. It is more common for women to consider the impact of the delay and choose to freeze their eggs while in their twenties to increase their chances of a healthier pregnancy later in life. The good news is that men can also take steps to ensure the health of their future children by freezing their sperm at a younger age when their quality is at its peak.

According to Dr Moshokoa, at 40 to 45 years old, a man's fertility begins to drop as the quality of the sperm deteriorates. Studies show that conception is 30% less likely for men older than 40 than for men younger than 30. As a result of ageing, semen volume, total sperm count, and sperm motility (how well the sperm can move toward the egg) all decrease as men age. Their partners may take longer to get pregnant when they eventually decide to try and have kids. Alternatively, children born to very mature fathers may be prone to mental health disorders such as schizophrenia and autism compared to babies born to dads aged 30 and under.

Some of these issues are caused by the low-quality sperm men produce as they age due to:

• Lower testosterone levels
• Neurological causes
• Low blood supply to the pelvic area
• Shrinking or softening of the testicles
• Prostate ailments and or treatment of the prostate, such as benign prostatic hyperplasia

Sperm banking, also known as sperm cryopreservation, is used for sperm that is ejaculated naturally and also in cases of sperm retrieval when there is a male factor. The specimen is collected in a private and comfortable setting, frozen, and stored for later use. The sperm is stored in multiple tubes and kept in several storage tanks to ensure that, should one freezer fail, the other sperm samples are safe. It can be frozen indefinitely, which means it can be defrosted later in life when the individual is ready to have children.

Historically, sperm banking has been used by cancer patients when doctors advise that they’ll have little or no sperm left after undergoing radiation therapy and also for sperm donors. Alternatively, it has also been used by those who are in high-risk jobs who fear getting injured or dying, in this case the sperm is often preserved so their partners can use it in their later years. Men who get a vasectomy but are concerned they might change their minds at a later stage may also use sperm banking prior to the procedure or during reversal.

In couples who fail to conceive after having tried for a year, semen analysis/sperm count is recommended. Sperm count and cryopreservation are not for people who just seek to know if they are fertile or not, without any intention to conceive. While there are cases of men having children into their 80s (we’ve seen in recent years with male celebrities going viral for welcoming newborns in their 70s and 80s), it is not without any risks or complications, especially for their future partner or child.

If you’re concerned about your fertility now or in the future, it's essential to seek guidance from a reproductive urologist or fertility specialist at your nearest Mediclinic.