Frequently asked questions

What happens after I submit the questionnaire?

We’ll pair your responses with your Legacy semen analysis results to evaluate our eligibility. If you qualify, we’ll securely share your contact information with a participating sperm bank near you.

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How long does the questionnaire take to complete?

Most clients complete the questionnaire in under 5 minutes.

Can I use frozen sperm for IUI, IVF or ICSI?

Process & kit components

Yes, you can use frozen sperm for intrauterine insemination (IUI), in vitro fertilization (IVF), or intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). If you’re doing a fertility treatment cycle, having a healthy frozen sperm sample on hand can be an important back-up plan.

Should I freeze my sperm prior to my vasectomy?

Vasectomy & vasectomy reversal

Getting a vasectomy is a big (and final) decision. Although vasectomy reversal is an option should circumstances change, it is expensive and not often effective. Sperm freezing before getting a vasectomy is the best way for individuals and couples to keep their options open. Learn more about sperm freezing before vasectomy.

How important is sperm morphology to my overall fertility?

Sperm testing

Sperm morphology (shape) is an important marker of fertility because sperm need to be a certain shape to penetrate and fertilize an egg. Having a higher number of abnormally shaped sperm is associated with infertility. However, even those with 0% normal morphology have conceived without medical assistance. The most important factor when assessing a person's chance of conceiving is their total motile sperm count (TMSC), the number of sperm in their sample that are moving or "swimming."

Should I test my sperm post vasectomy?

Vasectomy & vasectomy reversal

Yes, you should do a semen analysis to check if a vasectomy has been successful, typically 12–16 weeks after the procedure (follow your doctor's instructions). Legacy's standard semen analysis is a good option for post-vasectomy testing.

Should I test my sperm after a vasectomy reversal?

Vasectomy & vasectomy reversal

Yes. It can take 6–12 months for sperm production to resume after a reversal. For this reason, experts recommend that you test regularly for 1–2 years after the procedure to ensure sperm health is recovering. Legacy's standard semen analysis is an easy way to check whether a vasectomy reversal was effective.

What is my ClientID? Where can I find it?

Troubleshooting

When your order is approved, you're automatically assigned a randomized 6-digit client ID that travels with your sample. This keeps your name and identifying information anonymous.

You will recieve your client ID via email. If you haven't seen these emails in your inbox, check your Spam or Promotions folders. You can also find your ClientID by signing in to your client dashboard.

I'm trying to conceive. When should I test my sperm?

Trying to conceive

It's a good idea to test your sperm before you start trying to conceive — although anytime is a good time. Our standard semen analysis tests for the main parameters of sperm health (count, concentration, motility, morphology, and semen volume). Sperm testing can identify factors that may make conception difficult, and can reduce the time to pregnancy.

If you are over 35, planning IUI or IVF, or have a history of pregnancy loss, we recommend semen analysis plus sperm DNA fragmentation, a test that measures percentage of sperm that contain damaged DNA.

I sent my kit back without registering it. What should I do?

Process & kit components

The kit registration process collects necessary information about your sample, and the lab cannot process your sample without these details. If you sent your kit back with registering it, please email clientservices@givelegacy.com, or call us at 617-514-0901 as soon as possible to avoid delays or kit rejection.

Should I refrigerate my sperm sample while waiting for pick-up or drop-off?

Process & kit components

Troubleshooting

Do not refrigerate your sample.

How do I set up my client dashboard?

Process & kit components

Troubleshooting

When you place an order with us, you will receive an email confirmation containing a link to set up a password for your client dashboard. The client dashboard is where you can access details about your purchase, your test results, and more.

If you've misplaced that email, don't worry: You can still access your portal. Go to the client dashboard and select "Don't remember your password?" Then, input the email address you used when placing the order. An email with a reset link should appear in your inbox within 5 minutes; you can also check your Spam or Promotions folders. If that doesn't work, email clientservices@givelegacy.com or call us at 617-514-0901. The email address you use to reset your password should be an exact match, or you might not receive that reset link.

My sample was not picked up. What should I do?

Troubleshooting

If no one arrived during the scheduled window to pick up your sample, please let the Legacy team know as soon as possible. They will follow up with the shipping carrier on your behalf. Email clientservices@givelegacy.com or call 617-514-0901.

In the meantime, you may drop off your kit at a participating shipping location. You must return your kit to the same shipping partner that delivered it (i.e. FedEx, if it was delivered by FedEx, or UPS, if it was delivered by UPS).

I placed my order, but I haven't received a confirmation email.

Troubleshooting

You should receive a welcome email soon after placing your order. If you haven't heard from us more than 24 hours after you've placed an order, check your spam or promotions folders. To ensure you see future emails from Legacy, add us as a trusted contact or drag our emails to your primary inbox.If you haven't received a welcome email, please reach out to us at clientservices@givelegacy.com or 617-514-0901.

How can I reset my password?

Troubleshooting

When you’re logging in to your client dashboard, click or tap “Don't remember your password?” Input the email address you used when placing the order. An email with a reset link should be delivered to your inbox within 5 minutes (you can also check your Spam or Promotions folder).When you're resetting your password, make sure to input the email address that was used when placing your Legacy order. If that doesn't solve the issue for you, please reach out to us at clientservices@givelegacy.com or 617-514-0901.

I produced my sample after too long/too short a period of abstinence. How will that affect my sample?

Troubleshooting

Abstaining too long — or not long enough — can affect the accuracy of your test results. Samples produced after too brief a period of abstinence may have lower semen volumes or sperm counts, while samples produced after too long an abstinent period may have genetic damage or low motility. We recommend abstaining from ejaculation for no less than 2, but no more than 5 days before producing your sample for optimal results.

What happens if I send the kit back without the security padlock?

Troubleshooting

Legacy’s lab won’t be able to proceed with the analysis if you send your sample back without the security padlock. Please contact clientservices@givelegacy.com about receiving a new kit.

I accidentally removed the security padlock. What should I do?

Troubleshooting

If you encounter an issue with the security padlock before shipping your sample back to the lab, please email clientservices@givelegacy.com or call 617-514-0901 immediately, so we can instruct you about how to proceed. If your kit arrives at the lab without a security padlock or the security padlock is broken, it will not be analyzed.

I didn't refrigerate the sperm transport liquid. What should I do?

Troubleshooting

The transport liquid can be stored at room temperature for 5 days without affecting its efficacy. If your sperm transport liquid was unrefrigerated for more than 5 days, please reach out to our client services 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.

My sample was received by the lab. but it wasn't analyzed. Why?

Troubleshooting

There are a few situations in which our lab will not proceed with an analysis:

If your kit is in transit for over 48 hours
If your kit arrives at our lab without a padlock security seal, or with a broken security seal
If your sample leaks in transit• If you used expired sperm transport liquid
If the lab finds a foreign substance in the sample
If you provided incorrect collection detailsIf your sample is rejected by our lab for any reason, you will be notified by email as soon as possible.

What if my test has a positive result for one or more STIs?

STI testing

Sperm testing

A positive result means that a specific bacteria, virus, or antibody was detected in your urine or blood samples. This indicates that you may have a current or prior infection, but it’s not a confirmed diagnosis.

You’ll receive next steps as part of the results for your at-home STI testing kit. If you’ve received a positive result(s), we strongly recommend contacting your doctor as soon as possible to diagnose and treat any infections. We also recommend contacting any recent sexual partners to let them know they should be tested. Depending on your state and local protocols and your results, the lab may be required to confidentially report your positive results to the Department of Health.

If you test positive for one or more STIs, you can still freeze your sperm. Your samples may be stored separately to prevent cross-contamination (although cross-contamination is extremely unlikely). We can't guarantee your chosen fertility clinic will allow you to store or use STI-positive semen samples in the future. We recommend discussing this with your desired clinic.

Do I need to complete an STI/STD panel prior to testing or freezing my sperm?

STI testing

STI testing is not required by Legacy. However, STI screening prior to freezing sperm is required by many fertility clinics where you may want to transfer or use your sample in the future. To ensure your sample can be used at any fertility center or medical practice in the future, we strongly advise STI screening in the 6 months before freezing a sample. Our at-home STI test kit is included with For Tomorrow and Forever packages. If you're purchasing a semen analysis kit with cryogenic storage, we recommend ordering an at-home STI kit as well.

Which sperm freezing bundles include STI testing?

STI testing

An STI Test Kit is included in our For Tomorrow (5 year) and Forever (25 year) sperm freezing bundles. You may also purchase an STI Test Kit individually.

Will I be charged more for sperm freezing if I test positive for an STI?

STI testing

No, there is no additional cost for storing a sperm sample from an STI-positive person.

Does the STI kit ship with the sperm testing & freezing kit?

STI testing

Sperm freezing

Sperm testing

If you have ordered an STI Test Kit alongside a sperm testing & freezing kit, or if your sperm freezing bundle included an STI test kit, the STI Test Kit will be shipped separately from the sperm testing & freezing kit. It should arrive within 2–5 business days of your purchase via USPS.

Frequently asked questions

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