Fertility Preservation
Why Consider Fertility Preservation?
1. Medical Conditions & Treatments
- Cancer Treatments (Chemotherapy & Radiation): These can damage eggs, sperm, or reproductive organs.
- Autoimmune Diseases: Conditions like lupus may require medications that impact fertility.
- Endometriosis or Ovarian Surgery: These conditions may reduce ovarian reserve.
2. Age-Related Decline in Fertility
- Women's fertility declines significantly after 35 years, reducing the chances of natural conception.
- Men also experience sperm quality decline over time.
3. Lifestyle or Career Decisions
- Individuals delaying parenthood for career, education, or personal reasons may opt for fertility preservation.
4. Gender Transition (LGBTQ+ Considerations)
- Transgender individuals undergoing hormone therapy or surgery can preserve their reproductive potential.
Fertility Preservation – Benefits & Who Should Consider It
Fertility preservation refers to medical techniques that help individuals safeguard their ability to conceive in the future. It is particularly beneficial for those facing medical conditions, aging, or lifestyle choices that may impact their reproductive health. Both men and women can opt for fertility preservation to improve their chances of having biological children later in life.
Methods of Fertility Preservation
For Women:
1. Egg Freezing
- Mature eggs are retrieved, frozen, and stored for future fertilization.
2. Embryo Freezing
- Eggs are fertilized with sperm, and viable embryos are frozen for later use.
For Man:
1. Sperm Freezing
- Collected sperm is frozen and stored for future use.
2. Testicular Tissue Freezing
- In cases where sperm cannot be retrieved naturally, tissue is preserved for extraction later.
Success Rates & Considerations
- Egg and sperm quality decline with age, so earlier preservation offers better chances of future success.
- The success of embryo freezing is generally higher than egg freezing, as fertilized embryos withstand freezing better.
- Long-term storage (10+ years) is possible without significant quality loss.