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Fertility preservation is a pretty well-established concept. It is the process of preserving reproductive cells (sperm or eggs) for future use. Nowadays, portions of the testes or ovaries can also be maintained in specific circumstances. Any preserved reproductive material can be used to achieve pregnancy at an appropriate time in the future. Egg preservation tends to be more in the limelight than 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 future reproduction. Young men may sometimes be diagnosed with cancer, thereby requiring treatment with chemotherapy or radiotherapy. Such treatment modalities have the potential to affect the process of sperm production and may render such men incapable of fathering a child in the future. Preserving sperm samples before 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 will decline as age advances.
Men beyond the age of puberty would normally provide a sperm sample through masturbation. This is best done in a fertility clinic with the capacity to analyze 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 of the frozen sperms. The cost varies from clinic to clinic but is mostly affordable.
Young boys with fertility-altering medical conditions can also be considered candidates for fertility preservation. Depending on their age, young boys may be unable to produce a sperm sample. There are various medical ways of helping them produce a sperm sample that would be suitable for preservation. Pre-pubertal boys are in a special category as they aren’t yet able to produce mature sperm. Preservation of testicular tissue becomes the only option, 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 cognizant of such circumstances, and dully recommend sperm preservation whenever appropriate. Any preserved sperms that are subsequently not used up may be discarded, or even donated to others.
Dr Alfred Murage is a Consultant Gynecologist and Fertility Specialist.
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