You probably didn’t expect to be googling, “How long can I store sperm at home?” when envisioning the path to pregnancy and parenthood. And who would? It’s not a topic you really think about unless you’re dealing with infertility firsthand, and then you’re looking up all kinds of things, from the ins and outs of ovulation tracking to what your insurance will cover.
But there’s a good reason you’re here: this exploration typically stems from an interest in at-home artificial insemination, which has been growing in popularity. Now that you have a 100% sterile and FDA-cleared ICI kit like ours at your disposal, getting the sperm is one of the last few things you need to worry about! But to have your best shot at success, you’ll want as many of those little guys to be in top shape as possible.
So how long does sperm stay viable when you’re storing it at home? Well, the short answer is: not very long.
In fact, the only place you should be storing sperm at home for any length of time is in your partner or donor, not your fridge. But don’t let this realization deter you! With the right prep, you can still utilize a sperm sample in a timely way to perform your own insemination from the comfort of home. Here’s what you need to know.
Let’s Talk Spermatozoa
First up, how about a mini biology lesson from a real biologist—me! Regardless of whether the semen you plan on using for insemination is from your partner or a sperm donor, these reproductive cells are much more delicate than you might imagine. Their drive to reach and fertilize an egg comes from an intense biological imperative, but that doesn’t mean they’re all that good at it.
Fortunately, since men release anywhere from 15 million to 200 million sperm cells per ejaculation, there’s strength in numbers. At first, we think that surely one of those tiny swimmers is bound to complete the mission… but as you know, there are a lot of variables at play and it’s not that easy.
Getting answers is like running a good science experiment, and that means working through options that are easy and affordable while engaging in more involved testing. For instance, common issues such as male factor infertility can impact the ability of the sperm to swim, which makes it harder to get pregnant. There can also be fluctuations in the vaginal microbiome that might affect your chances of conception.
It may be that the solution is costly and time-consuming, but it’s also entirely possible all those sperm need is a head start with an ICI kit. This inexpensive, at-home option has a 38% success rate through six attempts—a rate that rivals its clinical counterparts with a lot fewer people in the room.
The Shelf Life of Sperm
Now, back to the question at hand. In the simplest of terms, the magic number behind the burning question of “How long can I store sperm at home?” is about an hour.
Your sperm sample should be used within 60 minutes of being produced, meaning that the ideal sample is one your partner or donor has just ejaculated. By carefully collecting and administering this semen in the same sitting, you’re getting the best possible chance to become pregnant with robust and fresh sperm.
It should also be kept at room temperature for that duration—don’t put it in the refrigerator or freezer! The specialized sperm freezing that goes on in labs happens at extremely low temperatures (-320°F, to be exact, and the lowest temp achieved by a standard residential freezer is around -9°F). Storing it on a counter or tabletop for the brief window between ejaculation and insemination is perfectly fine, but obviously, keep it out of the sun.
Thawing Lab-Frozen Sperm
People opt for cryogenically frozen sperm samples for various reasons, including male-factor infertility, same-sex couples, single mothers by choice or surrogates with a donor, or due to illness or loss. If you’re using sperm that’s been professionally frozen, you’ll need to properly thaw the sample before use. Sperm banks typically provide step-by-step instructions for thawing, and you can then inseminate yourself with this thawed sample once it’s ready.
Give Sperm a Boost with PherDal
So, in the end, “How long can I store sperm at home?” may be the wrong question—you shouldn’t really be “storing” sperm at all! That’s a lab’s job (or the donor’s), and if you’re going to use an ICI kit to make the most of your sample in the privacy of your own home, you should plan on going from collection to conception all in one sitting.
PherDal’s ICI kit is the safest option on the market today, as we hold ourselves to rigorous standards for the health and wellness of future parents everywhere. With the PherDal kit, you get IVF-grade materials that still maintain a user-friendly design, manufactured and shipped with 100% sterility guaranteed and only ever made right here in the USA.
And if you’re not sure exactly when you’re ovulating, we got you. Our Ovulation Workbook walks you through how to track ovulation and as a bonus is emailed free with each kit we send! PherDal’s kit also gives you three separate attempts, so you can try on the three most fertile days of the month, increasing your chances of conception.
The infertility experience has most of us googling some strange things now and again, and believe me, I understand. It’s why I created PherDal in the first place! I take pride in our kit for the peace of mind it provides while boosting your chances of growing the family you’ve been dreaming of.
Rest assured, PherDal is here for all of your questions as you embark on this journey. We’ve got you, and you’ve got this.
