Frequently asked questions

Can I only produce my sample through masturbation?

Process & kit components

Yes, it is recommended that you only produce your sample through masturbation. Avoid using any external aids, like lubricants, saliva, or condoms with spermicide, as these can contaminate or damage your sperm sample. If you need special guidance for religious or medical reasons, please email clientservices@givelegacy.com or call us at 617-514-0901 so we can further assist you.

Do I need to be home to receive the kit?

Process & kit components

That’s not necessary. The kit is insulated and includes gel cool packs to keep the sperm transport liquid chilled until you open it. The sperm transport liquid can stay at room temperature for 5 days without affecting its efficacy.

You should refrigerate the sperm transport liquid when you receive the kit. Once refrigerated, the transport liquid can be used until the expiration date listed on the bottle.

If your transport liquid was at room temperature for more than 5 days after it was delivered, or if your bottle of transport liquid has expired, please reach out to our client experience team to get a replacement bottle. We will provide 1 complimentary bottle. If additional replacements are necessary, there is a $40 charge per bottle. You may request a new bottle of sperm transport liquid by emailing clientservices@givelegacy.com, or by calling us at 617-514-0901.

What is the sperm transport liquid?

Process & kit components

The transport liquid is an FDA-approved, clinically tested buffer media that extends the life of sperm during shipping. The media contains carbohydrates — nutrition for sperm — plus an antibiotic to reduce bacterial growth and a buffer ingredient to keep pH stable. This allows us to analyze and freeze your sperm after overnight shipping.

The sperm transport liquid is washed off when the sample arrives at the lab, and it will not negatively affect sperm quality. It was pioneered by one of our advisors, Dr. Gail Prins, who published studies on the use of buffer media as a protectant for human spermatozoa as early as the 1980s.

Do I need to have a doctor’s referral to order sperm testing or freezing?

Process & kit components

You don’t need a doctor’s referral to purchase a Legacy kit or cryostorage plan. You may need a referral and/or a prior authorization to get insurance or Veterans' benefits coverage for sperm testing or freezing.

What is the red plastic "padlock" that came with my kit?

Process & kit components

The red plastic padlock is a security seal. It prevents access to your sample and alerts the lab if your kit has been opened. If your security seal is broken or removed, the lab will not analyze your sample, and you will be notified.

Your kit may contain two padlocks — one is extra, in case the first is lost or broken.

When the kit arrives, do I need to use it right away?

Process & kit components

No, but you should refrigerate the sperm transport liquid to ensure you're able to use your kit when you're ready.

The sperm transport liquid, a small bottle of pink liquid inside a cardboard sleeve, is perishable. If you refrigerate the transport liquid, it can be used until the expiration date listed on the bottle.

If your transport liquid was at room temperature for more than 5 days after it was delivered, or if your bottle of transport liquid has expired, please reach out to our client experience team to get a replacement bottle. We will provide 1 complimentary bottle. If additional replacements are necessary, there is a $40 charge per bottle. You can request a new bottle by emailing clientservices@givelegacy.com, or by calling us at 617-514-0901.

Is STI testing covered by insurance?

Pricing & payment

That depends on your insurance plan and where and how you get tested. In many cases, STI screening is covered by insurance. Without insurance, comprehensive STI testing costs about $350. Legacy’s at-home STI test kit is not covered by insurance. However, it costs just $150.

How much does a sperm DNA fragmentation test cost?

Pricing & payment

Legacy’s at-home semen analysis with sperm DNA fragmentation testing starts at $495. At a traditional clinic, this test can cost $800 or more and requires a trip to a lab to produce a fresh semen sample.

How much does freezing sperm cost with Legacy vs. at a clinic or sperm bank?

Pricing & payment

With Legacy, long-term sperm storage is 6x more affordable than at a traditional clinic.

A 1-year storage contract for 1 sample costs $245.
Longer storage plans, for up to 25 years, are available.

That compares to about $500 per sample, per year, at a traditional clinic.

What happens if I buy freezing, but my sample is deemed not viable for freezing?

Pricing & payment

If your sample is deemed not viable for storage by our lab, we’ll refund you for the storage plan you purchased as well as any unused services, such as additional testing that could not be performed.

How much is semen analysis with Legacy vs. at a clinic?

Pricing & payment

Legacy at-home semen analysis begins at $145. The cost at a traditional clinic can range from $250 to $500, and it requires a prescription from a doctor.

Like traditional clinics, testing with Legacy is covered by many health insurance plans, including Veterans' benefits, and fertility benefits providers.

What happens if there's no sperm found in my sample?

Troubleshooting

If an initial analysis finds no sperm in your sample, we will repeat the analysis, spinning the sample down again in a centrifuge and reassessing to find any sperm present.

If no sperm is found on a repeat analysis, you have a few options. You can speak to one of our male fertility specialists to understand what may be affecting your fertility, as well as some next steps you may want to take. You also may want to re-test with a new sample to confirm any abnormal results.

I plan to use a surrogate or gestational carrier. Can I work with Legacy?

Gender transition

If you would like to freeze your sample for use with a surrogate or gestational carrier, please reach out. There are strict FDA regulations that must be followed when banking your sperm for surrogacy, and we want to set you up for success. To learn more, email us at clientservices@givelegacy.com or call 617-514-0901.

I'm transitioning. Can I use Legacy?

Gender transition

Yes, absolutely. We have worked with many trans and non-binary clients to preserve their fertility before starting gender-affirming hormone therapy. At-home sample collection is a more accessible, comfortable, and affordable option for sperm freezing. If you have additional questions, email us at clientservices@givelegacy.com or call 617-514-0901.

I'm interested in using a known or directed sperm donor. Can I work with Legacy?

Fertility treatment & third-party reproduction

At Legacy, we aim to offer an inclusive solution that supports all family-planning efforts. However, there are important considerations and requirements involved with using a known sperm donor for insemination, including requisite preliminary testing. To learn more about this process, email us at clientservices@givelegacy.com or call 617-514-0901.

Will Legacy donate or sell my sperm?

Security & privacy

No, we won't donate or sell your sperm. Your sample(s) belongs to you and only you unless otherwise specified (i.e., adding an authorized user or completing a bequeathment form). You can withdraw your sample(s) from storage (or ask us to destroy it) at any time.

How does Legacy freeze sperm?

Process & kit components

After the sample has been washed, analyzed, and separated into multiple vials, lab scientists add cryoprotectant, a solution that prevents ice from forming in the sperm. Then, the sperm is brought down to a very low temperature — -196ºC — using liquid nitrogen in a “slow freeze” technique.

We reserve a small portion of your sample to freeze and then thaw to conduct a post-thaw analysis, also known as a post-thaw motility check. This test ensures the sperm survive freezing and give you a more accurate estimate of your total motile sperm count when you want to use the sample. Legacy is the only at-home sperm freezing option that provides post-thaw analysis.

How can I use my frozen sperm?

Sperm freezing

You can use your frozen sperm by transferring it to a healthcare provider or clinic for assisted reproductive methods such as IVF (in vitro fertilization) and IUI (intrauterine insemination). Transferring your sperm from Legacy to a provider is easy. You can start the process with a few clicks in your client dashboard.

Does insurance cover sperm freezing or testing with Legacy?

Pricing & payment

Legacy is in-network with leading health insurance plans, fertility benefits providers, and the Department of Veterans Affairs. You may be able to test and freeze your sperm for up to 100% off, depending on your plan.

Coverage is available through: Aetna, Cigna, Emblem, UnitedHealthcare, Optum VACCN, TriWest, Progyny, Carrot, Maven, WIN Fertility and Stork Club.

Do you offer military discounts?

Pricing & payment

Legacy is committed to supporting military families through discounts and special programs with Military Family Building Coalition, Operation Baby Foundation, and Green Beret Foundation. We are proud partners of the US Department of Veterans Affairs, and Legacy's services are covered by Veterans benefits providers including Triwest, Optum VACCN, and Lynch Consultants.

All military members, both active duty and Veterans, are eligible for discounts on our products through WeSalute and Id.me. Read more about Legacy’s military discounts and partnerships.

Do you offer payment plans?

Pricing & payment

Yes. You can break the cost of your fertility care into monthly payments using Affirm, SplitIt, or PayPal. Your interest rate may be as low as 0%. Select one of those options at checkout to learn more.

Are Legacy’s products FSA/HSA eligible?

Pricing & payment

Yes. Some Legacy products and services are eligible for reimbursement via flexible spending accounts (FSA) and health savings accounts (HSA), including sperm testing and freezing. You can reach out to clientservices@givelegacy.com for an itemized receipt for your purchase.

Do Veterans' benefits cover sperm freezing or testing with Legacy?

Pricing & payment

Military & Veterans

Male fertility care with Legacy is covered by Veterans’ benefits. We are proud partners of the US Department of Veterans Affairs, and Legacy's services are covered by Triwest, Optum VACCN, and Lynch Consultants. Email us at veterans@givelegacy.com to find out how to get covered.

We’re also honored to provide low-cost or free sperm testing and freezing through programs with the Military Family Building Coalition for Naval Special Warfare, Green Beret Foundation, Operation Baby Foundation, WeSalute (formerly known as Veterans Advantage), and ID.me.

Can I use Legacy if I'm under 18?

Process & kit components

Yes, Legacy is an option for minors. Parent or guardian permission is required. Contact our client experience team at clientservices@givelegacy.com with the subject line "minor storage agreement.” We’ll reply with a document for the client and the parent/guardian to sign before sending a sample for freezing.

I plan to use a surrogate or gestational carrier. Can I work with Legacy?

Gender transition

I'm transitioning. Can I use Legacy?

Fertility treatment & third-party reproduction

I'm interested in using a known or directed sperm donor. Can I work with Legacy?

Cancer treatment

Does Legacy serve cancer patients?

Cancer treatment

Absolutely. We work with cancer patients to preserve their sperm prior to chemotherapy, radiation, surgery, and other treatments that may affect fertility. Legacy also offers special discounts for affected clients. For assistance with timing or payment, email us at clientservices@givelegacy.com or call 617-514-0901.

Is Legacy registered with the FDA?

Security & privacy

Legacy is registered with the FDA and is approved to operate across the United States. CLIA (Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments) is a program managed by the FDA that ensures the quality and security of clinical laboratories.

Our labs, facilities, and partners are all FDA-registered, CLIA-certified, and registered and compliant with all other necessary regulatory bodies, including state-specific institutions and regulations.

How long does the process take?

Process & kit components

From prep to results, it can take less than a week.

As soon as you order your kit, it will be express shipped to you. You should abstain from ejaculating for 2–5 days before using the kit. You should collect and return your sample on the same day, between Monday and Thursday. Each kit includes free overnight shipping back to our lab.

Your results will be available in your online dashboard within 48 hours of our lab receiving your sample. If you choose sperm freezing, your sample will be frozen immediately.

Are home sperm tests accurate?

Sperm testing

Legacy’s semen analysis kit has been clinically validated. Our research team has compared the results of our kit to a conventional, in-person semen analysis and found no significant difference. There is likely to be a slight decline in sperm motility when using mail-in kits because of time spent in transit.

What parameters does Legacy’s at-home sperm analysis test for?

Sperm testing

Legacy’s at-home sperm analysis is a clinic-grade semen analysis without the clinic. It looks at all the key metrics of sperm health, including semen volume, sperm concentration, sperm motility, total motile sperm count, sperm morphology, and sperm DNA fragmentation.

Many at-home sperm testing options don’t look at sperm motility, morphology, or DNA fragmentation, which are important parameters. We’re also the only at-home sperm freezing option that includes a post-thaw analysis, in which we freeze and thaw a small portion of your sample to assess if it’s a good candidate for cryopreservation (sperm freezing).

Basic Semen Analysis looks at count/concentration and motility

Standard Semen Analysis looks at count/concentration, motility, and morphology

Advanced Semen Analysis looks at count/concentration, motility, morphology, and sperm DNA fragmentation

How does Legacy analyze sperm?

Sperm testing

Once your kit arrives at the lab, your sample will be opened and labeled. The lab scientists will replenish the sperm transport media to ensure the health of the sperm is maintained during analysis.

Next, the sample will be spun in a piece of lab equipment called a centrifuge to separate the sperm from the semen. Once sperm is concentrated, the lab scientists load a slide containing a portion of the sample into the computer-assisted semen analysis (CASA) system. This will report on sperm count, concentration, and motility (the percentage of sperm that are moving or "swimming"). Sperm morphology, the size and shape of sperm, is evaluated manually by an andrology scientist with a high-powered microscope.

If you choose to complete sperm DNA fragmentation analysis, that's performed using the Halosperm sperm chromatin dispersion technique. In this technique, a small portion of your sample is exposed to chemicals that denature, or separate, the strands of DNA in your sperm. This allows the lab scientists to assess which sperm contain broken or damaged DNA that could contribute to issues getting or staying pregnant.

How do sperm stay alive during overnight shipping?

Process & kit components

Legacy’s kit includes a sperm transport liquid that, when mixed with your semen sample, keeps sperm alive and healthy during shipment to our lab for testing.

What's the process step-by-step?

Process & kit components

Order a sample collection kit via givelegacy.com. We'll ship it to your home.
Collect the sample at home following the instructions with your kit.
Ship the kit back to our lab with the included overnight shipping.
Our lab will analyze your sample. Test results are sent securely to your online client dashboard within 48 hours.
We can freeze your sample if you choose.
We send your sample to long-term storage. Our flexible, renewable storage plans range from 1 to 25 years.

See more details on how sperm testing and freezing with Legacy works.

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What’s included with an at-home sperm testing or sperm freezing kit?

Process & kit components

The Legacy kit includes:‍

A sterile sample cup to easily collect your sample from home
The Legacy “vault,” an insulated zippered container that maintains a stable temperature during transportation
The sperm transport liquid — a vial of pink fluid — to keep sample viable during shipping
A security padlock to seal the vault (plus an extra, just in case)Free overnight shipping to send your sample to our lab for analysis

The Standard & Advanced Semen Analysis options also include lifetime access to our Insights dashboard, including your Sperm Score and a comparison of your metrics against thousands of clients your age.

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