Legacy™ Storage Review
How Legacy Sperm storage might be the right option for you
- Written by Alex Levine
What's in our review
The Bottom Line: The Legacy sperm storage kit that is right for you depends on the questions you need to answer. If you simply want to preserve your sperm as part of trying to conceive, Legacy is a great option. You an even pair it with the Legacy sperm freezing kit, so make sure what you are storing is the good stuff.
Legacy Sperm is a startup that’s changing how people access cutting-edge fertility science.
Starting a family is one of the most exciting decisions you will ever make in your life. That’s why many men choose to store sperm, so they can have the freedom and opportunity to choose when they’d like to start a family. For some couples, conceiving naturally and immediately is possible and the right call, but for others it takes time and little science to start a family.
Sperm storage is becoming increasingly popular. Sperm storage offers men an opportunity to preserve their fertility, plan for their future, and navigate various personal and medical circumstances.
Taking this step is recommended if you are considering a vasectomy or will be undergoing medical treatment that may affect fertility, such as chemotherapy or gender-affirming hormone therapy.
Why use a sperm storage kit?
How Legacy Sperm makes it possible to preserve fertility
Men choose to store their sperm for various reasons, primarily related to preserving their fertility and expanding their family planning options. One reason is medical treatment, such as chemotherapy or radiation therapy for cancer, which can negatively affect sperm quality and production. By banking sperm prior to treatment, men can safeguard their ability to have biological children in the future.
Age is another factor, as sperm quality and count generally decline with age. Storing sperm at a younger age increases the likelihood of successful fertilization and healthy offspring when a man decides to start a family later in life.
Additionally, some men undergo vasectomy as a form of permanent birth control, but later change their minds about having children. By storing sperm before the procedure, they maintain the option to have biological children without undergoing a reversal surgery.
Furthermore, men in high-risk occupations or those undergoing gender transition may choose to store sperm to ensure they have the option to have children in the future. Finally, sperm banking can also benefit couples who are facing fertility issues, as it allows for multiple rounds of assisted reproductive techniques without the need for continuous sperm collection.
- They conduct multiple semen analyses. Each kit sample is divided into 4 vials of sperm, giving you up to 4 tries to get pregnant with IUI — and possibly more tries with IVF/ICSI. On average, it takes 2-4 rounds to get pregnant using assisted reproductive treatment methods.
- They test for STIs. To use your frozen sperm, it is required by law in most states to have an STI test done at the time of sample collection. So, we bundled it in, saving you up to $200 and a visit to a clinic.
- They conduct a post-thaw analsis when the times comes. No other digital clinic conducts a post-thaw analysis to ensure your sample will actually be able to be used when it’s time to get pregnant. Legacy uses CLIA-certified labs with SOC 2 compliance.
What does Legacy Sperm Storage do?
Is Sperm freezing safe and effective?
A semen sample, obtained through masturbation, is sent to a lab for evaluation of sperm count, motility (the percentage of actively moving sperm), and morphology (the percentage of sperm with the correct size and shape). This step is crucial to ensure sperm health before proceeding with semen freezing.
Legacy also conducts a “post-thaw analysis” prior to sperm freezing. In this process, a tiny portion of the sperm is frozen, thawed, and re-evaluated for quality. This helps to determine if the sperm are suitable for storage and approximates the number of sperm that will survive the freeze-thaw process. The sperm are then “washed” and processed to eliminate semen proteins and contaminants while concentrating the sperm.
Before freezing, a lab technician adds cryoprotectant, a substance that prevents the formation of harmful ice crystals within the sperm without affecting their quality. Finally, sperm-filled vials are submerged in liquid nitrogen, lowering their temperature to -196ºC, at which point biological activity ceases.
Once frozen, sperm maintain their health and quality. They can be stored indefinitely without significantly impacting their ability to result in a successful pregnancy.
Choosing your Legacy Sperm Storage Kit
Which Sperm Freezing Kit is Right for You?
If you simply want to check the health of your sperm as part of trying to conceive, a simple semen analysis kit measuring the five key metrics of sperm health may be all you need. However, in some cases, a more thorough evaluation of sperm health may be important.
Perhaps you have been trying to conceive for a while or your partner has experienced miscarriages? That is when it makes sense to combine a semen analysis and a sperm DNA fragmentation analysis for a more complete picture of your fertility. This combination is also recommended for older clients, those with a history of medical treatments or lifestyle habits that may impact fertility or anyone who simply wants to gain a better understanding of their sperm health.
Legacy alternatives
Legacy vs. RoSperm vs. Fellow
We’ve created a table that breaks down the differences between the most popular online sperm testing kids and providers. The best option for you will depend on your individual needs and circumstances.
| Best male sperm test kits | Legacy | Ro Sperm | Felow |
|---|---|---|---|
| Results available in? | 48 hours (2 days) | 🟡 | 🟡 |
| Cryostorage available? | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Sperm metrics tested | 5 key metrics | 🟡 | 6 key metrics |
| Multi-geography/tank sperm storage? | ✅ | 🟡 | ❌ |
| Price | From $295 | 🟡 | From $189 |
| Freezing time and price | Unlimited. Prices start at $145 per year. Discounts are available for 5-year and 10-year storage. | Unlimited time. Storage is charged at $140 per year | |
| What's included? | Semen test only. Cryopreservation available at an additinal cost | Semen testing and cryopreservation. | Semen test only. Cryopreservation available at an additinal cost |
| DNA fragmentation analysis available? | ✅ | 🟡 | ❌ |
| CLIA Certified Labs? | ✅, but not owned | 🟡 | ✅, owned |
| Accepts insurance? | ✅, if eligible | 🟡 | ❌ |
| Lifestyle recommendations? | ✅ | 🟡 | ❌ |
| On-call fertility advisor available? | ✅ | 🟡 | 🟡 |
| Where do they ship to? | USA-wide, with two exceptions: STI kits will not be shipped to NY state, and semen testing and cryopreservation kits will not be shipped to Puerto Rico | 🟡 | USA-wide, except New York state and Rhode Island |
| Website | https://fertilefacts.com/recommends/legacy-sperm-kit/ | https://fertilefacts.com/recommends/ro-sperm-kit/ | https://fertilefacts.com/recommends/fellow-sperm-kit/ |
The Pros and Cons of Legacy Sperm
Some things to consider
Before you decide, weigh the pros and cons of all your options. We’ve broken down the most important ones for you here.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| All sperm metrics tested: Legacy kits’ results are comparable to the results of a conventional, in-person semen analysis and test for all 5 metrics of sperm health including DNA fragmentation. | Relatively expensive: Legacy is more expensive than some other male fertility tests. |
| Accurate results: Legacy’s sperm testing is conducted in CLIA-certified labs by a team of experienced scientists, and all results are reviewed by medical staff. | Charge extra for sperm freezing: Legacy’s cryostorage plans are also more costly than other providers. |
| Easy to use: all you need to do is provide the sample within 7 days of receiving your kit. Your results will be available on your online dashboard within 48 hours. | No separate plan for DNA fragmentation analysis: Legacy's one-of-a-kind DNA fragmentation analysis is only available in conjunction with other plans and not as a standalone kit. |
| Professional lifestyle recommendations: Legacy gives personalized recommendations for sperm quality improvement, based on your lifestyle and your results. They also offer tips for improving sperm morphology. | |
| Safe sperm storage: Legacy stores your sperm in multiple locations/tanks and conducts a comprehensive post-thaw analysis of your sperm to mitigate any risk. |
Reviews from around the web
What are Customers Saying?
We like to balance our review with other reviews around the web. Our experience isn’t everyone’s experience. Here are a few more data points to help you make an informed decision to take the next step.
The Verdict
Our Own Experience: Is Legacy Sperm legit?
Legacy at-home sperm kits are best for anyone who wants to be empowered with the most comprehensive knowledge of their fertility status. Legacy sperm kits allow you to have your semen analyzed according to five key metrics.
In addition, the company also offers advanced analyses, including DNA fragmentation, and they can store your sperm to preserve it for later.
If you would like to receive the most comprehensive, holistic assessment of the quality of your semen combined with the privacy of your home and the benefit of customized lifestyle recommendations, Legacy is the product for you. With hundreds of five-star reviews, Legacy Sperm Tests Kits are an excellent place to start.
