Cryos offers to freeze and store your sperm so you can use it at a later time. Once the sperm is frozen, it can be stored for the rest of your life (there is no expiration date).
What is sperm freezing?
Sperm freezing and storage is a way to preserve your ability to conceive, allowing you to achieve pregnancies through fertility treatment sometime in the future. Here, you can learn more about when sperm freezing is relevant and how it works.
How to freeze and store your sperm
Continue reading to learn more about the different steps in the process.
Contact us
If you wish to have your sperm stored at Cryos, please start by contacting one of our departments in Aarhus, Aalborg, Copenhagen, or Odense to make an appointment. You will be asked to fill out a form when you show up or have the form sent for signature in advance.
Collecting the sperm
The sperm sample can either be made at Cryos or in your own home. We just need the sperm sample within 1 hour after ejaculation. Glass containers for the sperm are available at Cryos. Remember to write your name and social security number on the label on the glass.
Please note that you may need to deliver 2-3 sperm samples to get enough sperm for your storage. For each sperm sample, a sexual abstinence period of 2-3 days before collecting the sperm is recommended.
Screening
Everyone who stores their own sperm falls under the “partner donors” category of the Danish Health Authority’s guidance because it is presumed that the sperm is going to be donated to a partner at some point. According to the guidance, all donors must be checked for anti-HIV 1/2, HBsAg, anti-HBc, and anti-HCV. The tests are mandatory according to the Danish Health Authority’s guidelines. Follow the link to see the Danish Health Authority’s guidance nr. 9356 pct. 4.1 of 26.05.2015 for partner donors.
The sperm freezing process
When your sperm sample is ready, a cryo-preservative will be added before the sperm is frozen and stored in large nitro tanks at minus 196 degrees.
Urgent help
If you have an urgent need for sperm freezing outside normal opening hours (for example, before a medical or surgical treatment), you can contact our on-call service on:
Phone number (+45) 69 15 13 38
NOTE: If you contact our on-call service, a fee of 3,700 DKK / 500 EUR incl. VAT will be charged. Please only use this service for emergencies.
Reasons and advantages of freezing your sperm
Sperm storage could be relevant if you:
- Are considering a vasectomy
- Are facing serious medical treatments in relation to cancer or other diseases that may cause sterility*
- Are in treatment for infertility, but cannot be present at the scheduled time of treatment due to international travel, work, etc.
- Are unable to provide a sperm sample on demand when the fertility treatment takes place
- Work with hazardous chemicals that may harm your sperm
- Simply wish to safeguard your ability to reproduce
- Important: Depositing due to upcoming chemo/radiation therapy is NOT possible if treatment has commenced. If this is the case, we recommend that you consult with the referring doctor.
How much does it cost to freeze and store sperm?
The cost of freezing and storing your sperm depends on factors like how much sperm you wish to preserve and how long you want it to be stored. The cost of sperm freezing starts at EUR 550/DKK 4.070. This price includes sperm analysis, sperm freezing, and a mandatory health test.
Unless you have a referral from a hospital with whom Cryos has a payment agreement, you will have to pay the cost of the sperm storage yourself. There are no grants from Health Insurance or Health Insurance Denmark.
You can pay with cash, credit card, or Mobilepay (NB: In Odense and Aalborg only cash or Mobilepay).
Our general sales and delivery terms apply to sperm storage.
Sperm storage fees (incl. VAT)
The fee for sperm storage must be paid in Danish Krone (DKK).
| Service | Price |
| Sperm analysis per sample | DKK 740 (EUR 100) |
| Freezing per sample | DKK 1,850 (EUR 250) |
| Mandatory health test (a one-time payment)* | DKK 1,684 (EUR 227) |
| Call-in duty outside normal opening hours (per sample) | DKK 3,700 (EUR 500) |
* It is mandatory for partner donors to be tested for anti-HIV 1/2, HBsAg, anti-HBc, and anti-HCV. See the directions of the Danish Ministry of Health nr. 9356 pkt. 4.1 of 26.05.2015
Storage fee (incl. VAT)
The fee for sperm storage must be paid in Danish Krone (DKK).
| Period | Price |
| 3 months | DKK 740 (EUR 100) |
| 6 months | DKK 1,249 (EUR 169) |
| 1 year | DKK 1,942 (EUR 263) |
| 3 years | DKK 4,856 (EUR 656) |
| 5 years | DKK 6,799 (EUR 919) |
| 10 years | DKK 12,349 (EUR 1,669) |
Renew your sperm storage online
When you set up a sperm storage, you are asked to choose a storage period. The minimum storage period is three months, but you can always renew the storage period online by logging into your account. The username and password will be provided when the sperm storage is set up.
We will send you a reminder in advance, to notify you about the expiration date. The first reminder will be through e-mail. If we do not hear from you, we will send you another reminder by recommended letter. If you do not wish to receive reminders by e-mail, we will send them by recommended letter at a cost of DKK 250 (excl. VAT).
How to use the sperm in storage
When you are ready to use the sperm to try to conceive a baby, you simply log in to your online account and request your sperm samples to be shipped to a fertility clinic of your choice. You can also fill out a delivery statement and send it by letter or fax to Cryos along with a copy of photo identification e.g., passport or driving license.
Once the delivery statement is received, the delivery can take place. We will send the requested samples in a nitrogen tank, that keeps your sperm samples frozen and safe during the transportation.
You do not need to use all your frozen sperm
You can choose to have some of your sperm straws delivered to the clinic and keep the rest in storage. This is completely up to you. Just please note that if you would like us to ship all your sperm samples, we recommend dividing the shipping into two separate deliveries on two different dates as a precautionary measure. If you do not want us to divide the shipment in two, you must send us a written confirmation via email before shipment can take place.
Please choose a nitrogen tank as the shipping method for your delivery. Find prices and methods of shipping sperm here - and please be aware, that you will be charged for two shipments if you request delivery of all remaining sperm samples.
How do I terminate my sperm storage?
Your storage can be terminated online by using your username and password. You can also fill out this termination statement and send it by letter or fax to Cryos along with a copy of photo identification e.g., passport or driving license. Once the termination statement is received, your straws will be destroyed.
You can transfer the ownership of the storage to your partner
The ownership of your sperm storage can be transferred to a named partner in the event of your death. This means that your partner can receive the storage for use in fertility treatment after your death. Transfer of ownership can only be made by prior valid testamentary disposition, written consent or equivalent valid written documentation. You can also choose to sign a declaration of right of disposition, which must be sent to Cryos.
Worth knowing before storing your sperm
- You may need to deliver 2-3 sperm samples to get enough sperm for your storage.
- When making sperm storage, a sexual abstinence period of 2-3 days before collecting the sperm is recommended.
- If the sperm sample is not made at Cryos, it must be kept at room temperature (20-30 degrees).
- Before ejaculation, we recommend cleaning the penis with water and without using soap.
- The sperm should be emitted directly into the glass container. Try to avoid spilling and be aware that the best quality of sperm is found in the first drops.
- We do not recommend using condoms to collect sperm due to spermicidal supplements in the condom.
- Interrupted intercourse in connection to sampling the sperm is not recommended due to the risk of spilling.
What if my frozen sperm does not work?
Although we test the sperm quality before storing, we cannot guarantee that future fertility using sperm from your storage will end in pregnancy. If you have had all your sperm delivered from your storage and no pregnancy was achieved, we may still be able to help you. Many heterosexual couples struggling with infertility use a sperm bank like Cryos to fulfil their dream of a child. If you are interested in learning more about using donor sperm to conceive, we recommend you click on the button or contact our Customer Care Team with any questions you might have.
Our general terms of agreement apply to sperm storage. You can also see our information leaflet for depositors.
Frequently asked questions about sperm storage
What is sperm banking?
Sperm banking is a term used to describe the process of sperm freezing and storage. Men use sperm banking to store their sperm for later use, thus preserving their ability to conceive.
Can I freeze my sperm at home?
No, it is impossible to freeze your sperm at home, as the sperm needs to be frozen and stored at minus 196 degrees using the right equipment.
How long can sperm be stored?
Once the sperm is frozen it can, in principle, be stored for the rest of your life. However, some countries may have laws limiting the length of your storage period.
Are there any risks of sperm freezing?
There are no risks associated with freezing or storing sperm. However, some men may be uncomfortable or anxious during the collection process, but serious risks are non-existent.