Preserve Fertility Before GAHT at Fairfax

Individuals who want to preserve their fertility before GAHT for the future can bank their samples and store the cryopreserved samples until they are ready to build their family.

Exogenous hormones used in gender-affirming hormone replacement therapy (GAHT) and surgical transitioning through gonadectomy (removal of the testes) impact an individual’s fertility. Estrogen, progesterone, finasteride, and other anti-androgens used in gender-affirming hormone therapy may permanently alter the body’s ability to make sperm. It is ideal to bank samples prior to beginning the use of exogenous hormones. If an individual has begun hormones it may be possible to retrieve healthy sperm after discontinuation of the hormones. Some individuals’ fertility has been found to be restored from 3 to 6 months after cessation of hormone therapy; other individuals were not able to recover their fertility regardless of the length of time off the hormones.

Trans individuals should be educated and counseled regarding options for fertility preservation. Again, banking samples prior to the initiation of pubertal suppression and treatment with gender-affirming hormones are recommended. It is not possible for pre-pubertal individuals to bank their samples at the Cryobank. If your child has had puberty suppressed using gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) analogs, it should be possible for them to resume puberty with the cessation of the treatment which would allow them to produce a sample for cryopreservation. Most children who undergo pubertal suppression will skip the puberty process and begin gender-affirming hormone therapy, which would leave them unable to produce a specimen for cryopreservation.

Decisions made regarding fertility preservation and cessation or delay of gender-affirming hormone replacement therapy should be preceded by a discussion with a counselor.

In order to bank a sample at the Cryobank, one must be able to produce a sample by self-masturbation. If an individual is unable to produce a specimen, they can consult with a specialist about having sperm removed directly from the testicles. Testicular sperm cannot be used in insemination but can successfully fertilize an egg using in vitro fertilization (IVF) or Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). Sperm cryopreserved by the Cryobank can be used in intrauterine inseminations (IUI), intracervical insemination (ICI), IVF, or ICSI.

There are two pathways for trans individuals to consider:

You are banking for use in the future with a non-sexually intimate recipient,
e.g. Gestational Carrier/Surrogate will carry the pregnancy
In this instance you will proceed as a Directed Donor*
You are banking for use in the future with a sexually intimate recipient,
e.g. your future partner will carry the pregnancy
In this instance, you will proceed as a Client Depositor

Semen Cryopreservation Services: Storing Your Own Sperm

Semen Evaluation Only	$150/specimen
Semen Specimen Evaluation, Standard Process, and Freeze (unwashed)	$350/specimen
Semen Specimen Analysis, Prewashed Process, and Freeze	$460/specimen
Initial Visit Consultation	$150
Semen Specimen Release (handling)	$45
Storage Fees	Sperm Storage Fees

Trans Family Resources

Fairfax Cryobank Blog: Fertility Preservation Before Gender Affirming Hormone Therapy (GAHT)
Fairfax Cryobank Brochure: Preserving your Fertility – Options for Individuals Pursuing Gender Affirming Hormone Therapy
Strong Family Alliance: Resource for parents/families regarding LGBTQIA+ children, a great Parents Guide
TransLifeline: Volunteer-based crisis lifeline staffed by transgender people for transgender people
GSA Network: National organization of LGBTQ youth organizers of gay/straight student organizations from middle school to high schools
Gender Spectrum: Provides education, training, and support to help create a gender-sensitive and inclusive environment for all children and teens