Fertility Preservation

Preserving your fertility entails the cryopreservation (freezing) of eggs, sperm, embryos, or reproductive tissue, allowing you the possibility of building a biological family in the future. This approach is beneficial in various situations, and the process involves safeguarding reproductive materials through freezing techniques to maintain their viability for potential future use. This resource will provide insights into the reasons for considering fertility preservation and offer an overview of the preservation process.

Reasons for preserving fertility

Fertility preservation can be a valuable option for various individuals and situations. Here are some common reasons why people choose to preserve their fertility in no particular order:

1. Medical Reasons:

Individuals facing medical conditions, such as cancer or autoimmune diseases, that require treatments like chemotherapy or radiation therapy that can harm fertility may opt for fertility preservation to safeguard their ability to have biological children in the future.

2. Delaying Parenthood:

Some people may want to delay starting a family due to career or personal goals. Fertility preservation allows them to postpone parenthood while maintaining the option to have biological children later in life.

3. Age-Related Fertility Decline:

As fertility declines with age, women and men who plan to have children later may choose to freeze their eggs or sperm to improve their chances of successful conception when they are ready.

4. Genetic Concerns:

Individuals with a family history of genetic disorders or conditions may opt for fertility preservation to avoid passing on these conditions to their offspring. They can undergo genetic testing and select embryos free from genetic mutations before implantation.

5. Gender Transition:

Transgender individuals may preserve their fertility before undergoing gender-affirming treatments, as these treatments can impact reproductive function.

6. Unknown Future Fertility:

In situations of uncertainty regarding future fertility due to factors like surgery or medication, fertility preservation provides a safety net.

7. Donor Sperm or Eggs:

Some individuals or couples may choose to preserve their own fertility while also using donor sperm or eggs to achieve parenthood, allowing for a genetic connection to one parent.

8. Single Parenthood:

Single individuals who want to have children in the future but are not currently in a relationship may opt for fertility preservation to maintain the possibility of solo parenthood.

9. Social or Personal Reasons:

Fertility preservation can be a choice based on personal or social considerations, allowing individuals or couples to take control of their reproductive timelines.

It's important to discuss your specific circumstances and fertility preservation options with a healthcare provider or fertility specialist. They can provide guidance tailored to your needs and help you make informed decisions about preserving your fertility.

If you're not ready for a family

People's readiness for parenthood varies. You might consider fertility preservation if you haven't met the right partner, don't feel financially or emotionally prepared, or have other life plans to pursue. Fertility preservation offers individuals the opportunity to take control of their reproductive timeline, ensuring that when they do decide to start a family, they have the best chance of success, regardless of when that time comes.

If you're having cancer treatment

For individuals undergoing specific types of cancer treatment, such as chemotherapy or radiotherapy, considering fertility preservation by freezing eggs, sperm, or embryos is a crucial consideration. This is because certain drugs used in cancer treatment, particularly in high doses, can have detrimental effects on fertility, potentially leading to infertility. Preserving reproductive materials before cancer treatment can provide a future opportunity for individuals to have biological children once their treatment is complete. It's advisable to discuss fertility preservation options with a healthcare provider before starting cancer treatment to make informed decisions about family planning.

If you're a transgender or non-binary person

Fertility preservation may be a significant consideration if you are initiating hormone therapy or planning to undergo reconstructive surgery. Both of these treatments can potentially result in partial or complete loss of fertility. In such cases, taking proactive steps to preserve your reproductive potential, such as freezing eggs or sperm, can ensure that you have options for family planning in the future. It's essential to discuss fertility preservation with your healthcare team to make informed decisions tailored to your individual circumstances and goals.

Treatment Options

1. Egg freezing:

The process of egg-freezing, or in medical terms, oocyte cryopreservation, involves stimulating the ovaries with hormones to produce multiple eggs, retrieving the eggs from the ovaries and cooled to subzero temperatures to be thawed at a later date.

2. Sperm freezing:

Sperm freezing is the most effective method of preserving fertility and can be stored from patients as young as 13 if needed.

3. Embryo freezing:

Couples with good quality embryos they're not ready to use have the option of freezing them to use in the future or to donate.

4. Testicular tissue freezing:

Testicular tissue freezing is a specialist technique to preserve the fertility in people who do not produce viable sperm in their ejaculate (azoospermia) as well as younger people who are unable to produce an ejaculate.

5. Ovarian tissue freezing:

Ovarian tissue freezing is a fertility preservation option for patients who are unable to freeze their eggs and for younger people who haven't started ovulating.

How does Egg Freezing work?

To freeze your eggs you will need to undergo an IVF treatment, which usually takes around two to three weeks to complete. Usually this will involve taking drugs to boost your egg production and help the eggs mature. When they’re ready, they’ll be collected during an egg retrieval which takes only about 10–15min. Shortly after, instead of fertilizing the eggs with sperm (as in conventional IVF) a cryoprotectant (freezing solution) will be added to protect the eggs. The eggs will then be frozen either by cooling them slowly or by vitrification (fast freezing) and stored in tanks of liquid nitrogen to maintain sub-zero temperatures.Most patients under 38 years of age will have around 7-14 eggs collected, although this isn’t always possible for patients with low ovarian reserves (low numbers of eggs).When you are ready to use them, perhaps many years later, the eggs will be thawed and those that have survived intact will be injected with your partner’s or donor’s sperm.

What does Sperm freezing involve?

At your clinic, you’ll be asked to produce a fresh sample of sperm (if you’re able), which will be mixed with a special fluid (a cryoprotectant) to protect the sperm from damage during freezing. Before freezing, the sperm sample is usually divided between a number of containers called straws. This means that not all the sperm needs to be thawed at once and can be used in multiple treatments. The samples are then cooled slowly and plunged into liquid nitrogen.You’ll then need to give your written, informed consent to your sperm being stored and specify how long you want it to be stored for.

Why do people freeze embryos?

Often with in vitro fertilization (IVF) or Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) treatment, there may be some good quality embryos left after an embryo transfer. Instead of disposing of them, there is the option to freeze them to use in the future (in case of unsuccessful treatment or to try for a sibling). Embryos can also be frozen to preserve fertility so it may be possible to have a baby at a later date.

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To provide more clarity and insights, we present below a comprehensive Guide to help you navigate your fertility journey.