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How the storage of your gametes works
While we can’t press pause on life, storing your eggs or sperm, referred to as gametes, can help safeguard your future. We understand that it is a life-changing decision and may feel overwhelming. However, familiarising yourself with the process can help you feel more prepared. This includes understanding consent guidelines, the duration for which you can store your gametes and payment options.
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What is involved?
Consent - Before starting your fertility treatment, you will need to complete a consent form. This includes an HFEA and an internal clinic consent form.
Different forms are required depending on your relationship status.
GS Form – Gamete storage - This form grants consent for the initial and ongoing storage of your eggs or sperm.
MT Form - This form is for male treatment, completed by a patient providing sperm, including their named partner.
WT Form – This form is for female treatment, completed by a patient providing eggs, including the naming partner.
In these consents, you can legally declare how long you wish to store your gametes and specify what should happen if you pass away or lose mental capacity. If you change your mind about your consent, it can be amended at any time.
You can change your preferences regarding the storage duration of your gametes, donation for training and research, or partner nomination. Patients can also provide the clinic with the name and contact details of their next of kin.
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Counselling - We understand that this decision can be emotionally challenging and you may benefit from speaking to someone. At TFP Fertility, we offer fertility counselling at any stage before giving consent, renewing consent or after consent has been provided. You should receive a copy of your consent to review before your appointment.
Freezing gametes - After egg or sperm retrieval, the clinic staff will assess whether your gametes are suitable for freezing, and you will be notified on the same day or the next. It is important to understand that the freezing process can affect gametes and they may not survive. Your gametes are usually stored in tanks screened for HIV, Hep B and C. Specialised storage is available for patients who have tested positive to prevent cross-contamination.
Storage periods and renewal - Gametes can be legally stored for up to 55 years, and consent must be renewed every 10 years. If you are concerned about forgetting to renew your consent, don’t worry; the clinic will usually contact you about one month before the anniversary of your freeze. You can choose to continue storage, discard the sample or donate for training purposes. If you opt to donate for training, you can provide consent for storage for up to 55 years without needing to renew every 10 years.
If you wish to transfer your stored gametes to another licensed clinic, this can be done with written consent.
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Payment - You may be eligible for NHS funding for gamete storage, which is provided for a defined period based on individual clinical circumstances and local integrated care boards (ICBs). If you wish to continue storage beyond the funded period, you will be responsible for any applicable storage fees.
If payment is not received within a reasonable period, or if the clinic is unable to contact you, your gametes may be removed from storage and discarded. Therefore, it is important to ensure you keep in touch with the clinic.
Death or loss of mental capacity - Patients need to document their wishes regarding the use of their gametes in the event of their death or if they become unable to make decisions for themselves due to mental incapacity.
By law, stored gametes can only be used if the patient has provided written consent and designated a person who is permitted to use them. A designated partner can use a patient's stored eggs or sperm for a maximum of 10 years following the patient's death or the certified date of mental incapacity.
If patients no longer wish to store their gametes, they may have the option to donate them for training or potentially to another person or couple, provided they meet certain criteria. If the use of the gametes requires a surrogate or donor, additional screening tests, including blood tests and, in some cases, swab or urine tests, must be completed before the patient's death.
When consent has been given for the use of gametes after death or loss of mental capacity, the consent period begins from the date the relevant consent forms were certified.
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Speak to our patient support team for advice about your options and to book your first consultation with a fertility expert.