Sperm collection

With the eggs safely collected, we need the other half of the equation.

All our clinics have discreet, comfortable rooms where the male partner can masturbate to produce a supply of semen. The collection rooms also contain a supply of erotic material.

Options

Compared to the effort required to collect eggs, collecting sperm can seem a very simple process, but it often proves tricky.

Sharing the egg collection experience with his partner can be traumatic and may leave the man distinctly unaroused. Other men have physical disabilities or impotence problems. Others possess moral objections to masturbation. Others still may be be overseas or similarly unavailable on the day of the egg collection.

Whatever the issue, let us assure you that we are accustomed to discussing these matters on a daily basis Please feel comfortable to discuss this openly so we can provide you with the most appropriate options.

The most important issue is that a supply of sperm be available when the eggs are ready for it. Without it, the whole cycle may be a wasted effort.

Collecting in advance

Luckily sperm freezes and thaws wells so collecting a sample in advance is possible.

Condom collection

Do not collect the specimen with a regular condom as they contain chemicals that are toxic to sperm.

If masturbation is absolutely unacceptable to you, please obtain a special non-contraceptive condom from our andrology department.

Surgical sperm collection

Surgical sperm retrieval is performed when a man cannot produce an ejaculated sample himself for a variety of reasons.

In some cases of a previous vasectomy, sperm retrieval may be undertaken rather than a vasectomy reversal attempt based on the length of time from the original vasectomy or the woman’s age.

Additionally, in cases of non-obstructive azoospermia (complete absence of sperm from the seminal fluid) or congenital conditions where there is an underlying problem with sperm production itself, it may be possible to harvest sperm directly from the testes.

The quantities of sperm retrieved surgically are quite small and generally must be combined with in vitro fertilisation (IVF) or intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). The sperm can either be used fresh, or frozen for future uses.

Penile vibratory stimulation and electroejaculation

Most males with spinal cord injury cannot ejaculate via sexual intercourse and require medically assisted procedures to obtain a semen sample. The most common procedures are penile vibratory stimulation (PVS) and electroejaculation.

It is recommended that PVS is used as the first line of treatment as it is less invasive, preferred by the patient and results in a higher quality sample than electroejaculation. Approximately half of all men with spinal cord injuries respond to PVS.

Electroejaculation involves electrical stimulation applied over the prostate through the rectum. It is considerably more dangerous than using a vibrator and should not be used except in a medical setting by health professionals who are knowledgeable about spinal cord injury. This is generally performed in a surgical theatre.