Sperm Freezing Procedures

With ongoing advancements in the field of medicine, many techniques are now successfully implemented for individuals who wish to have children. Specifically, for those who want to preserve their right to parenthood for the future, options such as sperm freezing, egg freezing, and embryo freezing are available.

What is Sperm Freezing?

Sperm freezing is a successful method used by men to preserve their fertility. The frozen and stored sperm allows an individual to have children at a later date or can be donated for use in the infertility treatments of others.

The process begins by collecting a sperm sample from the man. In a laboratory setting, the collected sperm is combined with a specialized fluid to protect it against potential damage during the freezing process. This mixture is then gradually cooled and stored in liquid nitrogen. Typically, the sperm sample is not stored as a single unit but is divided into multiple portions. The purpose of this method is to prevent all sperm from being thawed at once, allowing for multiple treatments if necessary.

Why is Sperm Freezing Performed?

Sperm freezing may be performed for several reasons, including:

• Preserving fertility before undergoing procedures that may affect reproductive health, such as cancer treatments.

• Situations where a vasectomy is medically required, yet the individual remains undecided about having children in the future.

• Counteracting the continuous decline in sperm count and quality due to advancing age.

• Cases where there is difficulty producing a sperm sample during an active fertility treatment.

What is Egg Freezing?

Egg freezing is the process of collecting and storing a woman’s viable egg cells by freezing them for future use.

The egg cells, retrieved through a surgical procedure, first undergo a series of tests. If deemed suitable, they are mixed with a cryoprotectant solution. The eggs are then frozen—either gradually or through vitrification (flash-freezing)—and stored in liquid nitrogen tanks.

A woman’s egg reserves continuously decline as she ages, and fertility naturally ends with the onset of menopause. Therefore, women who opt for egg freezing during their fertile years gain the opportunity to have a baby at any point in the future. Additionally, frozen eggs can be donated to assist in the treatments of other individuals.

Egg Freezing Costs in Cyprus

As of 2026, the average cost for egg freezing in Cyprus ranges between €2,000 and €3,500. This price interval varies from clinic to clinic, depending on the technology utilized, storage duration, and additional services provided.

Included Services

• Egg Retrieval (OPU): The surgical procedure to collect eggs.

• Laboratory Freezing: Utilizing the vitrification (flash-freezing) method.

• First-Year Storage: Initial preservation fee.

• Consultation and Follow-up: Medical guidance and monitoring throughout the process.

• Anesthesia and Medical Supplies: Clinical overheads and surgical materials.

Potential Additional Costs

• Medication: Hormonal injections used for ovarian stimulation.

• Extended Storage: Annual renewal fees for preservation (averaging €200–€300 per year).

• Patient Coordination: Support for international patients and translation services.

• Pre-Transfer Testing: Extra analyses or diagnostic tests required before the procedure.

Note: Egg freezing is legally permitted in Cyprus. It is a preferred option for women prioritizing career planning or those needing to preserve fertility for medical reasons.

Why is Egg Freezing Performed?

• Medical Conditions: When facing conditions like cancer that negatively impact fertility.

• Future Planning: If there are concerns about declining ovarian reserves despite a desire for future parenthood.

• Early Menopause: For individuals at high risk of premature ovarian failure.

• IVF Cycles: To store high-quality eggs collected during an IVF cycle for use in subsequent attempts.

What is Embryo Freezing?

In some fertility treatments, patients may produce healthy embryos that are not used during the initial transfer. These embryos can be frozen for future treatment cycles or donated. It is important to note that only high-quality embryos are selected for freezing to ensure viability.

During the process, embryos are placed in a specialized cryoprotectant solution that replaces the water within their cells. This prevents damage from ice crystal formation. They are then preserved in liquid nitrogen tanks using either slow-cooling or vitrification. When the patient is ready, the embryos are thawed using a specific protocol and prepared for transfer.

Why is Embryo Freezing Performed?

• To use surplus embryos in future IVF or ICSI cycles.

• To avoid undergoing the demanding egg stimulation and retrieval procedures multiple times.

• To safeguard reproductive options before undergoing treatments that could impair fertility.

Procedures such as sperm, egg, and embryo freezing are vital steps that secure an individual’s right to become a parent in the future. Decisions regarding these treatments should always be made in consultation with a specialist physician.