Fertility preservation is a fairly well-established concept. It is the process of preserving reproductive cells (sperm or eggs) for future use. In recent developments, portions of the testes or ovaries can also be preserved under specific circumstances. This preserved reproductive material can be used to achieve pregnancy at an appropriate time in the future. Preservation of eggs tends to be more known compared to sperm preservation, but there are plenty of reasons why men too should be aware of fertility preservation.
The commonest reason to consider fertility preservation in men is when there has been a diagnosis that may affect their ability to reproduce in the future. Young men may sometimes be diagnosed with cancer, thereby requiring treatment with chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy. Such treatments have the potential to affect the process of sperm production and may render these men incapable of fathering a child in the future. Preserving sperm samples prior to any such treatments should always be considered.
Surgical procedures involving male reproductive organs also have the potential to impair sperm production. Men of reproductive age may sometimes suffer from conditions requiring testicular surgery. Preliminary sperm freezing should always be advised if any such procedures might end up affecting future reproduction. What about advancing age in single men who may desire future reproduction? Freezing a sperm sample by the age of 40 would be considered a good precaution, as sperm quality declines with age.
Men beyond the age of puberty can normally provide a sperm sample through masturbation. This is best done in a fertility clinic with the capacity to analyse the sample and prepare it for long-term preservation. Once a sperm sample is frozen, it remains viable for future use almost indefinitely. There is a cost to the initial freezing and subsequent maintenance in storage of the frozen sperm. The cost varies from clinic to clinic but is mostly affordable.
Young boys with fertility-altering medical conditions can also be considered as candidates for fertility preservation. Depending on their age, young boys may be unable to produce a sperm sample. Pre-pubertal boys are in a special category, as they are not yet able to produce mature sperm. There are various medical ways of obtaining a sperm sample that would be suitable for preservation. Preservation of testicular tissue becomes the only option in some cases, though this is still considered experimental.
Men who find themselves suffering from conditions that may interfere with fertility should never hesitate to consider preserving their sperm. Doctors too should be cognisant under such circumstances and duly recommend sperm preservation whenever appropriate. Any preserved sperm that is subsequently not used may be discarded, or even donated to others, with the consent of the owner.
