Sperm freezing

Sperm freezing (sperm cryopreservation) is suitable for medical reasons or as a personal choice. It allows sperm cells to remain viable for many years, for use if you wish to have a child in the future.

What is sperm freezing?

Sperm freezing means that sperm cells are stored under controlled conditions at extremely low temperatures (-196°C) in liquid nitrogen. This process is also known as sperm cryopreservation. At Nij Clinics, this takes place in our own specialised laboratory (Elsendorp), where we work according to strict protocols and with the latest techniques. This means the sperm cells can be stored safely and reliably for many years and remain viable for use if you wish to have a child in the future.

Sperm freezing: who is it for?

Sperm freezing is intended for men who want to preserve their fertility for medical or personal reasons. There are various reasons why men choose to have their sperm frozen.

Vasectomy

For men who want to have a vasectomy (sterilisation) but still want to preserve their fertility.

Medical reason

For men who can expect a decline in their fertility because of an illness or a medical treatment, such as chemotherapy, radiotherapy or surgery.

Risk of injury

For men whose job or lifestyle carries an increased risk of physical injury, such as high-risk work or frequent travel.

How does sperm freezing work?

This is a schematic overview of the process; in practice, we may deviate from it based on your personal situation. We will discuss this with you during the intake consultation.

Process

Register

You register with Nij Clinics to have your sperm frozen. We create a personal file for you and upload the necessary information to the patient portal. As soon as this is ready, you will receive a text message. In the patient portal, you will also find your personal QR code, which you need to book an appointment.
Book an appointment

You book an appointment yourself by contacting the donor bank by email. After booking, you will receive an email confirmation with all the important information to help you prepare. If you have had a fever above 38 °C in the past 3 months or are taking any medication, please let us know. Don't forget to bring your proof of identity, QR code and the completed storage agreement.
Sperm sample and blood test

You produce a sperm sample in a specially equipped private room at our clinic. You hand this sample in directly at the laboratory. We then take a blood sample to test for HIV, hepatitis B (HBV) and hepatitis C (HCV). These tests are required by law when storing your own bodily material. To improve sperm quality, we recommend not ejaculating for 2 to 4 days before producing the sample. This usually results in a higher concentration and better motility of the sperm cells.
Semen analysis

The sperm sample is examined immediately for volume, concentration, motility and morphology (shape) of the sperm cells. Quality can vary from person to person and even from one ejaculation to the next. Sometimes one sample is enough to freeze several straws of viable sperm cells.
Cryopreservation (freezing)

After the analysis, the sperm is divided into small straws that are clearly labelled with your personal details. These straws are carefully frozen and stored in liquid nitrogen (-196°C) in dedicated storage tanks in our laboratory.
Confirmation

After cryopreservation, one of our embryologists will call you. You will hear how many straws have been successfully frozen and whether an additional sample is needed. You will also receive a written report with the results of the semen analysis, cryopreservation and blood tests. This information is also shared with your GP and/or referring doctor.

If treatment with chemotherapy, radiotherapy or hormone therapy has already started, cryopreservation may no longer be possible. In some cases, depending on the type and dose of the treatment, we can still make an exception. Our doctors always assess this on an individual basis.

What are the costs?

The costs of sperm freezing consist of appointments with specialists, the treatment and the annual storage costs.

For an indication of the costs, please see our list of fees.

Health insurance

Health insurers do not always cover the (full) costs of freezing and storing sperm. Please contact your health insurer about this.

Uninsured care

If there is no medical indication (referral from a doctor), the costs are not covered.

Fees Health insurance

Register for an intake | Sperm freezing

Sperm freezing registration form

Use this form to register easily for a sperm freezing intake appointment.

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Personal

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Effective

We use the most advanced techniques and specialise in all forms of fertility treatment.

Experience

All our staff are experienced professionals who keep fully up to date with the latest developments.