Sperm Freezing Surgery in Thailand (Sperm Cryopreservation)

Sperm freezing gives you the freedom to preserve your fertility on your own timeline — whether you are facing medical treatment, planning for the future, or simply want peace of mind. Thailand offers fast, affordable cryopreservation at internationally accredited labs, with long-term storage you can rely on.

Procedure 1–2 hours (sample + processing)

Hospital Stay None — outpatient

Recovery None

Minimum Stay 1–2 days

What Is Sperm Freezing?

Sperm cryopreservation freezes and stores sperm for future fertility treatment. Using vitrification or controlled-rate freezing, sperm are cooled to -196°C in liquid nitrogen, halting biological activity so samples can be stored indefinitely. When needed, they are thawed and used for IUI, IVF, or ICSI.

A semen analysis is performed before freezing to confirm sample quality. The sample is then divided into multiple labelled straws or vials with cryoprotectant added to minimise ice-crystal damage. This provides several doses for future treatment cycles, and stored sperm remains viable for decades with no deterioration in quality.

Common Concerns Sperm Freezing Can Address

Facing cancer treatment (chemotherapy or radiotherapy) that may affect fertility
Planning a vasectomy but want to keep future options open
Working in a high-risk occupation or environment that could impact sperm quality
Wanting to preserve fertility before starting testosterone therapy or gender transition
Planning ahead — securing sperm quality at a younger age for future family building

Are You a Good Candidate?

Men with adequate sperm quality confirmed by semen analysis
Men about to undergo medical treatment that may impair sperm production
Men who want a backup sample stored before assisted reproduction treatment
Men who cannot be present for their partner's treatment cycle and need a sample stored in advance

Techniques & Options

Sperm freezing is a well-established laboratory procedure. After producing a semen sample, the laboratory assesses quality, prepares the sperm, adds cryoprotectant solution to prevent ice-crystal damage, and freezes the sample using a controlled protocol. The frozen straws or vials are then transferred to long-term cryostorage.

The two main approaches to cryopreservation are:

Slow Freezing (Controlled-Rate Freezing)

The traditional method of sperm cryopreservation. Sperm are gradually cooled at a controlled rate over 2–4 hours using a programmable freezer. Cryoprotectant agents are added to the sample to minimise ice-crystal formation, which can damage cell membranes. This is a reliable, well-validated technique with decades of clinical evidence behind it.

Established technique with strong long-term survival data
Suitable for all sample types including lower-quality specimens
Widely used across fertility clinics globally

Vitrification (Rapid Freezing)

A newer, ultra-rapid freezing technique that plunges the sample directly into liquid nitrogen. Vitrification avoids ice-crystal formation entirely by converting the sample to a glass-like state almost instantly. Some studies suggest improved post-thaw motility compared to slow freezing, particularly for samples with lower initial sperm counts.

Ultra-rapid process minimises cellular damage
Emerging evidence of better post-thaw recovery rates
Increasingly adopted by advanced fertility laboratories

Recovery Timeline

Semen Analysis

Before freezing, a fresh semen analysis is performed to assess sperm count, motility, and morphology. This confirms that the sample is suitable for cryopreservation and provides a baseline for comparison after thawing. If the sample quality is very low, your specialist will discuss options.

Sample Preparation & Freezing

The laboratory prepares the sample by washing and concentrating the sperm, then adding cryoprotectant solution. The sample is divided into multiple straws or vials — this means you have several doses stored, giving you flexibility for future treatment cycles. Freezing takes 1–2 hours.

Cryostorage

Frozen samples are transferred to secure cryotanks filled with liquid nitrogen at -196 degrees Celsius. Storage facilities are monitored around the clock with alarm systems and backup equipment. Your samples are labelled, catalogued, and traceable at every step. Annual storage fees apply after the first year.

Using Your Frozen Sperm

When you are ready, your clinic will thaw a vial and assess sperm viability. Thawed sperm can be used for IUI, IVF, or ICSI depending on the post-thaw quality and your treatment plan. Sperm that has been properly frozen and stored can remain viable for decades — there are documented pregnancies from sperm frozen for over 20 years.

What to Expect

Secure Storage 24/7 monitored cryofacilities

Long-Term Viability Sperm stored indefinitely at -196°C

Quick Process Sample to storage in under 2 hours

Safety & Risks

Sperm freezing is a safe, non-invasive procedure with no physical risks to the patient. The main considerations relate to the quality of frozen samples and future use.

Not all sperm survive the freeze-thaw process — post-thaw motility is typically 50–70% of the original
Samples with very low initial sperm count or motility may have reduced viability after thawing
Frozen sperm is typically used with ICSI rather than IUI, depending on post-thaw quality

Storage facility failures are extremely rare but not impossible — reputable clinics use backup systems
Annual storage fees apply and must be maintained to keep samples viable
There is no guarantee that frozen sperm will result in pregnancy when used in future treatment

Your clinic will perform a test thaw on a small portion of your sample to confirm post-thaw viability if requested. This gives you confidence about the quality of your stored samples before you need them. All storage facilities at our partner clinics meet international accreditation standards.

How Much Does Sperm Freezing Cost in Thailand?

Our pricing covers the complete sperm freezing process — from initial consultation and analysis through to your first year of secure cryostorage.

Sperm Freezing

Sperm freezing package

From $500

Specialist consultation
Semen analysis
Sperm preparation & processing

Cryopreservation procedure
First year of storage
Dedicated care coordinator

Add Accommodation Package

Hotel, breakfast, airport transfers & 24/7 support

From $89 / night

Affordable suites on Sukhumvit Soi 23, a short ride from leading fertility clinics. Rooms include a kitchenette, daily breakfast, and access to the pool and fitness centre — a comfortable, budget-friendly base during your treatment.

A well-appointed serviced residence in the heart of Sukhumvit with full kitchen, washer-dryer, pool and gym. Ideal for patients on longer treatment cycles who want a home-away-from-home feel with hotel-level service.

A luxury hotel close to the clinic district, known for impeccable Japanese-standard service. Spacious rooms, an acclaimed spa, and 24-hour room service — the premium choice for a stress-free stay during treatment.

Common Questions About Sperm Freezing

Everything you need to know before your procedure

Sperm freezing requires just 1–2 days. You will attend a consultation, provide your sample, and receive confirmation that the freeze was successful before you leave.

Sperm can be stored indefinitely in liquid nitrogen at -196 degrees Celsius. There is no evidence that storage duration affects sperm quality or the health of resulting children. Successful pregnancies have been reported from sperm frozen for more than 20 years. As long as storage conditions are maintained, your samples remain viable.

The freeze-thaw process does reduce the number of viable sperm to some extent. Typically, 50–70% of sperm survive thawing with good motility. Modern cryoprotectant agents and freezing protocols have significantly improved survival rates. Even if post-thaw numbers are lower, techniques like ICSI — where a single sperm is injected directly into an egg — mean that very few viable sperm are needed for successful fertilisation.

Your specialist will advise based on your semen analysis results and intended future use. As a general guideline, freezing 2–3 samples provides a good safety margin, ensuring enough sperm for multiple treatment attempts. Men freezing before chemotherapy or other medical treatment are usually advised to bank as many samples as possible within the time available.

Your frozen samples can be shipped to any fertility clinic worldwide using specialised cryoshipping containers that maintain the required temperature. Your Thai clinic will coordinate the logistics, documentation, and chain-of-custody paperwork. International sperm transport is a routine service offered by established fertility centres.

Yes, though the results will depend on the severity. Even men with very low sperm counts (oligozoospermia) can freeze samples. If the count is extremely low, the laboratory may need to freeze multiple samples to accumulate enough sperm for a future ICSI cycle. Your specialist will assess your sample and advise on the best approach.

Annual storage fees in Thailand are typically USD 100–200 per year, significantly less than the USD 300–600 per year charged by clinics in the US, UK, or Australia. The first year of storage is usually included in the initial freezing package. Your coordinator will confirm exact fees and payment arrangements.

No. Sperm freezing requires only a semen sample, which is produced by masturbation in a private room at the clinic. There are no needles, no sedation, and no recovery time. The entire appointment — from arrival to leaving the clinic — takes about 1–2 hours.

If producing a sample at the clinic is difficult due to anxiety or other reasons, your clinic can discuss alternatives. In some cases, samples can be collected at your hotel using a special sterile container and delivered to the lab within a strict time window. For men with no sperm in the ejaculate, surgical sperm retrieval (TESE/Micro-TESE) may be an option.

Yes. A semen analysis is always performed before cryopreservation to assess sperm count, motility, and morphology. This confirms that the sample is suitable for freezing and provides a baseline for comparison. If you have not had a recent analysis, it will be done on the same day as your freezing appointment.

Thai law requires that you provide written consent for storage and specify what should happen to your samples in certain circumstances, such as if you become incapacitated or pass away. Your clinic will guide you through the consent process. If you plan to use your stored sperm with a partner or in another country, additional legal requirements may apply depending on the jurisdiction.

Dr. Natthida Chaisiri

MEDICALLY REVIEWED

Dr. Natthida Chaisiri

MEDICALLY REVIEWED

Fertility Specialist · Bangkok

Last reviewed: February 18, 2026

Medical References

What's Included

Specialist consultation
Semen analysis
Sperm preparation & processing
Cryopreservation procedure
First year of storage
Dedicated care coordinator

Ready to Get Started?

Speak with our care coordinators for a free, no-obligation consultation and personalised quote.

Speak to Our Team

Sperm Freezing in Thailand

What Is Sperm Freezing?