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Sperm bank

The male body is constantly producing new sperm. The process of spermatogenesis in the testicles never stops and continues even in old age. Therefore, due to the different function of the male reproductive system there is no fear of “running out of sperm” unlike women who are born with a fixed number of eggs.

Sperm bank is the term used for a facility specializing in freezing and storing sperm samples.

Freezing of sperm is indicated in the following cases:

Difficulty of the spouse/partner to produce sperm
Before a chemotherapy treatment in cases of malignancy for male fertility preservation reasons
Men with a very low sperm count. Prior to initiation of a IVF attempt, one or more semen samples are collected and frozen, so that enough material is available to complete the procedure.
Surgical sperm recovery in cases of obstructive azoospermia (lack of sperm in the semen), for future use in IVF attempts.
Absence of the spouse/partner at the time of the IVF or IUI procedure.
Men’s hormone therapy
Fertility preservation if the man intends to delay starting a family.
Sperm donation.

According to Greek legislation, the samples may be stored initially for 5 years, with the possibility of an extension for another 5.

What should I do?

Freezing sperm is relatively easy. Firstly you have to make an appointment with I.R.I.S MED. The semen sample may be produced either at home or in I.R.I.S MED in a specially designed for this purpose room. Either way, a period of abstinence (non-ejaculation) 2-4 days prior to collection is required, no more no less, because otherwise the quality of the sample is negatively affected. The embryologists will then take the sample, process it, record the quality parameters (sample volume, number, motility and morphology of the sperm) and proceed to freezing. When the procedure is completed, the patient receives a report for his personal medical record file.