The Most Effective & Simplest Method of Fertility Preservation for Trans Women!
Many of us desire to have a family. The vision of what constitutes “family” is different for everyone.
Some of you envision family as a circle of intimate friends. Others see their partner as their family.
While the rest feel an internal need to have children.
For those who desire to have kids, starting a gender transition may feel like sacrificing.
Especially since many of you equate undergoing hormone therapy to losing reproductive potential.
But just because you are going through a gender transition doesn’t mean you have to give up your dream of having children.
And while science hasn’t caught up to offer you an experience of going through pregnancy, various fertility preservation options are available.
Out of those options, the most effective and simplest method of fertility preservation is sperm banking.
This option is only available to individuals who, ideally, haven’t started HRT and have not had gender-affirming surgery.
If you have started HRT, don’t stress out! You can still discuss this option with your doctor.
Let’s take a closer look at sperm banking and the longevity of sperm viability.
SPERM CRYOPRESERVATION aka SPERM BANKING
Sperm cryopreservation has been a long-standing established method to maintain fertility in males with genitourinary cancers.
It is also used in individuals undergoing gender transition.
A semen sample is obtained, analyzed, placed in vials, and cryopreserved.
Even if you have a low number of sperm available, successful oocyte fertilization has been shown through intracytoplasmic sperm injection of oocytes (van Casteren N et al., 2008).
SPERM RETRIEVAL
The most common method of sperm retrieval is to masturbate to ejaculate at a sperm bank.
Another great private option is via a sperm retrieval kit at home offered by some sperm banks.
Now I know that masturbation is emotionally difficult for many of you, and it can intensify dysphoria.
If that’s the case, electroejaculation may be an option.
To get a semen sample by electroejaculation, a rectal probe is positioned over the prostate while you are under anesthesia.
Then a mild electrical current is emitted to stimulate ejaculation.
While this method successfully helps obtain semen, the concentration and motility of sperm have been found to be decreased in comparison to samples obtained via masturbation (Hovay Y et al., 2001).
There are also several surgical techniques for semen retrieval; epididymal aspiration, testicular fine-needle aspiration, and testicular sperm extraction (Polland A & Berookhim BM., 2016).
If you want to have children, sperm preservation via one of the above sperm retrieval methods remains the most effective and simplest fertile preservation method.
It is important to note that this option requires planning for fertility preservation, ideally prior to initiation of hormone therapy, as you want to produce the best semen sample possible.
If you have already started HRT, it is still possible to freeze and bank specimens for storage; however, it will require taking a break from HRT treatment. Make sure you discuss this option with your doctor.
Sperm banking is also costly. And some sperm banks charge quite a staggering fee. Make sure to plan financially.
If you are looking for a sperm bank, the two that I recommend based on lower fees, trans inclusion, and positive reviews from the trans community are:
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REFERENCES & SOURCES
van Casteren N., van Santbrink EJ., van Inden W., Romijn JC., Dohle GR. (2008) Use rate and assisted reproduction technologies outcome of cryopreserved semen from 629 cancer patients. Fertility Steril. 90: 245-50.
Hovay Y., Dan-Goor M., Yaffe H., Almagor M. (2001) Electroejaculation before chemotherapy in adolescents and young men with chances. Fertility Steril. 75: 811-3.
Polland A., & Berookhim BM. (2016) Fertility concerns in men with genitourinary malignancies: treatment dilemmas, fertility options, and medicolwegal considerations. Urology Oncology Semin Orig Invest. 34: 399-406.
