What is Fertility Preservation?
Fertility preservation involves saving and protecting your embryos, eggs, sperm, and reproductive tissues to help you have a child in the future. This option is available for adults and some children of both sexes. Fertility preservation is particularly important for those whose fertility may be compromised due to health conditions or diseases (medically-indicated preservation) or for those who wish to delay having children for personal reasons (elective preservation). Personal reasons for delaying childbirth might include finding the right partner, achieving career goals, or furthering education.
Why is Fertility Preservation Done?
Fertility preservation is crucial for individuals whose future fertility may be at risk due to certain conditions or treatments. Factors such as aging, cancer treatments, autoimmune diseases, reproductive health conditions, and transgender care can impact fertility.
You might consider fertility preservation if you are affected by:
- Age: If you are postponing parenthood, preserving your eggs or sperm before natural fertility declines is an option.
- Cancer: Treatments like chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery can affect fertility.
- Autoimmune Diseases: Conditions like lupus and rheumatoid arthritis and their treatments may impact fertility.
- Reproductive Health Conditions: Endometriosis and uterine fibroids can make pregnancy more challenging.
- Transgender Care: Gender-affirming treatments can alter reproductive capabilities. Preservation of embryos, eggs, or sperm prior to treatment may be an option.
Who Performs Fertility Preservation?
Dr. Neera Singh fertility specialist, often in a Ferticore fertility and IVF Center, will guide you through the process. These Center have the necessary equipment and facilities to handle and store frozen specimens for extended periods.
Types of Fertility Preservation
Fertility preservation treatments generally fall into two categories:
Storing Reproductive Materials:
- Egg Freezing: Hormone treatment stimulates egg production, which is then collected and frozen.
- Embryo Freezing: Eggs are fertilized with sperm to create embryos, which are then frozen for future use.
- Ovarian Tissue Freezing: Ovarian tissue is removed and frozen. It can be reimplanted after cancer treatment.
- Ovarian Transposition: Ovaries are moved to protect them from radiation.
- Radiation Shielding: Lead shields or precise radiation technologies protect the ovaries during treatment.
Minimizing Impact of Cancer Treatment:
- Radiation Shielding: Shields or precise techniques protect testicles or ovaries during radiation therapy.
- Sperm Freezing: Semen samples are collected and frozen.
- Testicular Tissue Freezing: Testicular tissue is collected and frozen for future use.
Types of Fertility Preservation for Children
For children, ovarian and testicular tissue freezing are options. Sperm, egg, and embryo freezing can be considered once they reach puberty. Radiation shielding and ovarian transposition are additional options.
Procedure Details
What to Expect:
- Egg and Embryo Freezing: Involves hormone stimulation, egg collection under sedation, and freezing or fertilizing eggs before freezing.
- Ovarian Tissue Freezing: A laparoscopic procedure under general anaesthesia to collect ovarian tissue.
- Ovarian Transposition: A laparoscopic procedure to move ovaries away from radiation fields.
- Radiation Shielding: Use of lead shields or precise radiation techniques to protect reproductive organs.
- Sperm Freezing: A non-invasive process where semen is collected and frozen.
- Testicular Tissue Freezing: Involves collecting testicular tissue, often using a needle or scalpel.
What Happens to Frozen Materials?
Frozen embryos, eggs, and sperm are thawed when you are ready to conceive. The thawed eggs or sperm are used for fertilization, and embryos are implanted in the uterus or carried by a surrogate.
Risks and Benefits
- Advantages: The main benefit is the potential to have a biological child despite current conditions or treatments.
- Risks: Risks include bleeding, infection, or injury from procedures, increased chances of multiple births with IVF, and potential side effects from hormonal treatments. Procedures like laparoscopic surgery and ovarian stimulation carry specific risks.
Recovery and Outlook
Fertility preservation does not guarantee pregnancy but provides options for those facing fertility challenges. Success rates vary based on factors such as age, health, and treatment history.
- In vitro Fertilization (IVF): Success depends on age, health, and previous treatments.
- Ovarian Tissue Transplantation: Relatively rare, with a number of successful pregnancies reported.
- Ovarian Transposition: Success varies; function may be impacted by radiation therapy, but pregnancies have been reported.
Consult with our Dr. Neera Singh fertility specialist provider to understand the best options and chances for success based on your specific situation.
