Fertility Issues

If you are a man and interested in preserving the option of fathering a child, you should consider banking sperm at a sperm bank before certain chemotherapy treatments. Your doctor can let you know which chemotherapy drugs are the most dangerous. If you have had surgery, you can usually resume sexual relations about 6 weeks after the procedure, if you are able to get and maintain an erection. If you have problems that may be permanent, sperm banking is available. There are several assisted reproductive technologies (ART) available and sperm can be stored in liquid nitrogen for many years (up to 18-20 years). Possible places to contact for further information include the Cryogenic Laboratories at 1-800-466-2796, or The Sperm & Embryo Bank of NJ, Inc. at 1-800-637-7776. (See web references).