Thinking About a Vasectomy? Then Think about Storing Your Sperm First

A vasectomy is the most reliable contraception option for a man. That’s why you — and your spouse or partner — want to be certain you don’t want children (or any more children) before getting the procedure.

However, there is another option you may want to consider. Storing your sperm for later use can serve as a backup plan in case you change your mind about wanting to start a family. This allows you to get the vasectomy now and still keep your options open in the future.

Here are a few reasons why storing sperm before you get snipped may be right for you:

• Life is unpredictable. If you ever get married, remarried, or decide you’d like to have children after all, storing sperm gives you the chance to change your mind. You may be a confirmed bachelor now, but will you feel the same in 10 years?
• Vasectomy reversal can be risky. Though the success rate for reversals is high, your chance of getting your spouse or partner pregnant following the procedure ranges from about 20% to 70%, so there’s no guarantee it will work. Reversal is also painful and does include risks of infection and other side effects.
• Sperm storage costs less than reversal. On average, storing sperm even for a decade or longer is less expensive than the vasectomy reversal procedure.
• Sperm quality decreases as men age. This is especially true of men over 40. And regardless of the woman’s age, the risk of miscarriage is higher if the man is older than 45.
• You want to maintain your family line. This may not concern you now, but it’s possible your feelings about it will change the older you get. So, if it does become important, you will still have a chance to have a child by storing sperm.

Other Reasons to Use a Cryobank

A vasectomy isn’t the only reason to use a cryobank to freeze and store sperm for future personal use. Others include:

• Family planning. Storing sperm affords you the time and opportunity to start a family when the time is right for you.
• Chemotherapy. In most cases, sperm production returns after chemotherapy. However, some cancer treatments can affect male fertility, so if you need to undergo chemotherapy, storing sperm before you have the procedure can give you peace of mind should complications occur.