Sperm Freezing
Not ready to have a baby right now because you are focused on your career or haven’t found the perfect match? Cryopreservation may be the right choice for you. The concept of “fertility preservation” offers hope to women who previously had limited or no options for the future creation of a family. Women can potentially pursue their reproductive lives at their own pace, rather than according to the obligations of biology.
Sperm Freezing
Not ready to have a baby right now because you are focused on your career or haven’t found the perfect match? Cryopreservation may be the right choice for you. The concept of “fertility preservation” offers hope to women who previously had limited or no options for the future creation of a family. Women can potentially pursue their reproductive lives at their own pace, rather than according to the obligations of biology.
Indications for Cryopreservation:
Indications for Cryopreservation:
Fertility decline with advancing age
Advancing age confers the worst prognosis for fertility due to an increasing number of aneuploid (genetically abnormal) eggs. This is commonly seen as many women postpone childbearing to obtain an advanced education, prioritize their careers or due to lack of partner.
Non-malignant conditions
A number of autoimmune conditions and blood diseases may require systemic chemotherapy which are gonadotoxic (can compromise future fertility).
Malignancy
As the number of cancer survivors rises with improved treatments, the greater the number of women and men there are who suffer from premature ovarian failure or testicular failure secondary to gonadotoxic treatment
More About Cryopreservation:
Women and men who require chemotherapeutic treatment or radiation that may permanently destroy future fertility as well as women who wish are single or wish to postpone childbearing for personal choices, may preserve their fertility through egg or sperm freezing.
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FAQs
Can semen parameters indeed fluctuate from week to week? Various factors can influence the quality and quantity of sperm in semen, leading to variations over time. Here are some potential reasons:
- Abstinence Period: The length of time between ejaculations can affect semen volume and sperm concentration. Longer periods of abstinence can lead to higher sperm counts but may also increase the proportion of sperm that are morphologically abnormal or less motile.
- Lifestyle Factors: Factors such as stress, diet, alcohol consumption, smoking, and drug use can all impact semen parameters. For example, excessive alcohol or substance use can negatively affect sperm production and function.
- Illness or Infection: Illness, especially if accompanied by high fever, can temporarily reduce sperm count and quality. Some infections can also impact semen parameters.
- Heat Exposure: Exposure to heat (like in hot tubs, saunas, or through keeping a laptop directly on the lap for extended periods) can increase the temperature in the scrotum and impair sperm production, leading to temporary reductions in sperm quality.
- Medication: Certain medications can affect sperm production and function, leading to changes in semen parameters.
- Hormone Levels: Fluctuations in hormone levels can impact sperm production. For instance, testosterone levels can have a direct impact on sperm production, and these levels can fluctuate based on a variety of factors.
- Age: While this doesn’t account for week to week fluctuations, it’s important to note that as a man ages, there can be a gradual decline in semen quality.
Remember that semen analysis at a single point in time can give a snapshot of a man’s fertility, but because sperm parameters can fluctuate, sometimes multiple tests are needed to get a more accurate picture. If you have concerns about semen parameters, it’s a good idea to discuss these with your fertility expert who can offer advice tailored to your situation.
Many researchers believe environmental causes explain an ongoing decline in make infertility. Exposure to toxic substances can be harmful, as can exposure of the genitals to elevated temperatures (such as with hot baths, whirlpools or steam rooms), Also problematic is in-utero exposure to Diethylstilbestrol (DES), a synthetic form of estrogen, the female hormone. Finally, men facing the burden of a cancer diagnosis should be aware of the negative effects on fertility of medical treatments such as surgery or radiation.
Behavioral male factors
A higher risk of male infertility is tied to unhealthy behaviors such as smoking, using alcohol or illicit drugs, and being overweight. Other behavioral factors are having certain past or present infections or taking medications for ulcers, psoriasis, depression or high blood pressure.
Get help with male factors
Infertility challenges are frustrating, but we can address all the factors associated with male infertility. Call us today at (602)765-2229 or email us at info@ivfphoenix.com to learn more and get tested. We’ll give you all the information and assistance you need to achieve your goal of starting a family or adding another child.
Infertility isn’t solely a women’s challenge. At IVF Phoenix ™ we want you to understand male infertility factors, which account for half of all cases, according to the American Society for Reproductive Medicine.
Sperm disorders – the most common male infertility factor
Difficulties making healthy sperm can cause male infertility. There may be too few sperm or sperm may be immature, abnormally shaped or unable to swim. Several causes of sperm disorders are commonly reported in men who experience male infertility.
- Infections or inflammatory conditions such as having the mumps after puberty
- Hormone or pituitary gland irregularities
- Immune problems that generate antibodies against sperm
- Genetic diseases such as cystic fibrosis or hemochromatosis
- Erectile dysfunction or premature ejaculation
- Men who have had groin injuries or surgeries either as an adult, or when they were children
- Men who have taken anabolic steroids, most notably testosterone
Structural or inherited male factors can cause issues
Anything blocking the genital tract can hamper the flow of semen. Some items that our fertility specialists or urologists look for:
- A history of a sexually transmitted disease that causes infection or inflammation
- Scar tissue from surgery or twisted or swollen veins in the scrotum
- Liver or kidney disease
- Treatment for seizure disorders
- Any trauma to the testicles, or a prior vasectomy or major abdominal or pelvic surgery
- A history of undescended testicles
- Medication history, most notably the use of testosterone
- Being born with a fertility disorder or having a blood relative with a fertility disorder
- Certain medical conditions such as tumors or chronic illnesses such as sickle cell disease
However, nearly one-third of all infertility cases are related to male factors such as low sperm concentration, poor motility, and abnormal sperm shape. While some men require treatment for their infertility, there are a number of things you can do on a daily basis to boost your male fertility naturally.
A response to ovarian stimulation depends on a number of different factors, the most important include available eggs, appropriate hormone levels, proper administration of any medications and lifestyle/environmental factors.
In order to respond to ovarian stimulation, a woman must have eggs available to respond; this is sometimes referred to as ovarian reserve. If a woman has diminished ovarian reserve (identified by high blood levels of follicle stimulation hormone (FSH), low blood levels of Anti Müllerian Hormone (AMH) or a low antral follicle count on ultrasound), she may not have as robust (or any) response to stimulation. For these patients, an alternate stimulation protocol may be tried or donated eggs may be used (from a woman known or unknown to the patient).
It is possible that a woman does have the necessary eggs but lacks the appropriate pituitary hormones to respond. In this case, using a different medication- one which may contain both FSH and luteinizing hormone (LH) may allow for an optimal response.
Lifestyle factors can also affect a woman’s response to stimulation. Optimizing weight, diet and stress and cessation of use of tobacco, alcohol and recreational substances can also improve a response to ovarian stimulation.
Photo ID: For your safety, IVF Phoenix™ requires that all patients provide photo identification prior to undergoing any surgical procedure within our facilities.
Responsible Adult: It is our responsibility to insure that you get home safely after your procedure, post- anesthesia. Therefore, you must have a responsible adult, over the age of 18, with whom you have a relationship, accompany you to this surgical appointment. They must stay at the center during your procedure, and be available to take you home after you are discharged. If both you and your partner are having procedures on the same day, we require a 3rd party be available to drive the couple home. We prefer that this person also be available to make sure that you are doing well once you get settled in your home.
No Children: Children are not allowed in the practice on the day of your procedure. Please arrange for childcare prior to arrival. Unfortunately, children cannot be brought with you to your surgical procedure at any time or under any circumstances.
Preparing for My Surgical Procedure with Anesthesia
Diet: Conscious sedations is used in our surgical procedures. If you have never been sedated before, there are important things to remember. For your safety, one important rule is to ensure that you do not eat or drink anything after midnight the night before your procedure. If you have a specific medical condition or special situation, please discuss with your nurse before this time frame.
Appropriate Clothing: Patients should follow these guidelines:
- Wear comfortable clothes
- No jewelry
- No perfume
- Refrain from makeup
- No contact lenses
Semen Collection
For most patients arriving to the practice for their egg retrieval, a semen sample will be required by the Embryology Team in order to fertilize the egg(s) after your procedure. Male partners are encouraged to collect their sample at home prior to arriving for the retrieval. Once you arrive, please inform the Reception Desk staff that you have your sample so they can notify the Embryology Team. If you are traveling more than one and a half hours to the practice, you may collect a sample in our offices after you arrive. The period of abstinence from ejaculation is 3 days and no more than 4 days, as sperm DNA fragmentation increases with longer abstinence.
Arrival and Departure for Surgical Procedures
Patients should arrive 90 minutes before your scheduled procedure, or as instructed by your nurse. After checking in at the Reception Desk, the clinical team will bring you and your partner back to the procedure area. Your nurse will check your photo ID, review your recent food and beverage consumption and have you change into a surgical gown. Next, you will meet your Nurse Anesthetist, who will start an IV (intravenous) in your arm for medication administration. The office will review your medical history before beginning your sedation medication. During your procedure, your partner or accompanying adult will wait in the Reception Area. Most of the procedures are completed within 30 minutes. Most of our patients take about 30-60 minutes to recover before they return home. We find that our patients recover best when they are in a familiar, comfortable place usually in their home. From start to finish, patients should expect to be at the practice for 2½ to 3 hours.
IVF Phoenix™ requires out of town egg donors or recipients to visit our clinic initially, then if coordinated efficiently and if there is good offsite monitoring, we can expect the patient, to be seen by us at the end of the stimulation cycle, or at the peak of estrogen administration for endometrial development. Unlike many other clinics, mock cycles are not necessarily required. Depending on your circumstances, you will most likely need to be here for five to nine days. This is something your donor egg/ART coordinator will help determine.
One option that some couples choose is to have the male partner visit IVF Phoenix™ for sperm collection prior to the couple’s visit for the woman’s cycle. This option requires the man to travel to IVF Phoenix™ one time, and the couple to travel to IVF Phoenix™ one time.
Yes, but you should refrain from high-impact exercise and opt for workouts such as walking, swimming, yoga, or cycling during IVF treatment. Leading up to the beginning of the IVF cycle you may exercise as you normally do, but as you get closer to the egg retrieval we will ask that exercise be modified for health and safety reasons.
Testimonials
This is hands down the BEST fertility clinic in all of Az. Dr. Couvaras and Rhoda are amazing!! Not only are they compassionate and helpful beyond expectations they really look at the whole body and systems and get to the root of the problem. If you are even thinking about fertility go see this place first!
From the moment we met Dr. Couvaras, My husband and I felt totally comfortable, secure, and well informed. Additionally, the nurses and staff at IVF Phoenix provided prompt, efficient care with both expertise and patience. Whether ordering prescriptions, educating me on how to properly administer medications or explaining options and probable outcomes of specific treatment protocols, Dr. Couvaras, and his team were simply remarkable. I never felt alone, and appreciated the close guidance they provided throughout our entire treatment. I couldn’t be happier with the results! My husband and I are now 12 weeks pregnant, and are absolutely thrilled! I would recommend Ivf Phoenix to anyone who is interested in finding the cause of their infertility. We love and appreciate everyone at Ivf Phoenix, they are a 2nd family to us. We still can’t thank them enough for making our dreams come true!
Dr. Courvaras is the best there is in the infertility world!! Our first baby is here because of him and his team. Our baby is 17 and will be graduating from high school in less than a month!! We have never forgotten him and the gift he helped us have!!
My husband and I are so thankful for Dr. Couvaras and staff. We were struggling to have a family and stumbled across the IVF Phoenix website. We are from Canada and the staff was fantastic to deal with and very accommodating to work with. We always had support no matter what time of the day. We now have the most perfect beautiful little boy to complete our family!!! So grateful and blessed!!!
The staff and Dr. Couvaras were so kind and understanding. They called me by name as soon as I walked in. Dr. Couvaras was incredibly knowledgeable and knew from the first visit what was going on and after tests came back he was 100% right. He was informative, personable and took care of my health needs as a priority. I never felt left on the back burner. Innovative for sure because now I have 3 amazing children!
Egg Freezing Bundled Packages
(Self Pay)
SINGLE EGG FREEZE PACKAGE
$6500
Includes:
Excludes:
2-CYCLE EGG FREEZE PACKAGE
$11500
Includes:
Excludes:
IVF WITH BIOPSY & FROZEN EMBRYO TRANSFER
$17000
Includes:
Excludes:
*Monitoring can take place at one of our convenient locations to suit your schedule.
Promotion is valid for cash patients only. | Package pricing is subject to change.
Services
Confused about the next steps to successfully conceive and carrying to live birth?
Partner Insurance
Please note that the following listed insurance companies are those that we currently partner with. Please call your insurance provider and check to see if your treatment or procedure will be covered.

IVF Phoenix™ is proud to be a Center of Excellence with United Healthcare/Optum

Arizona Foundation (AZFMC)

Blue Cross Blue Shield

Aetna
Zelis

Humana

WebTPA

MultiPlan

Banner Aetna

Bright Health Care
GEHA
Gilsbar

Cigna

UHC All Savers

Medica & Mayo Medical Plan
Meritain
AmeriBen
Private Healthcare Systems
TRICARE
UMR

Liberty Healthshare