Fertility preservation

 




Fertility preservation is the effort to help cancer patients retain their fertility, or ability to procreate. Research into how cancer, ageing and other health conditions effect reproductive health and preservation options are growing.


Fertility preservation involves medical procedures to protect or store eggs, sperm, embryos, or reproductive tissue (like ovarian or testicular tissue) for future use, allowing individuals to have biological children later, especially if facing infertility risks from treatments like chemotherapy, radiation, surgery, or age-related decline. Key methods include sperm banking, egg freezing (oocyte cryopreservation), embryo freezing (IVF with embryo banking), and ovarian/testicular tissue freezing, offering options for cancer patients, transgender individuals, and anyone wanting to delay parenthood. 
Common Fertility Preservation Methods
  • Sperm Banking: Freezing sperm for later use in IUI or IVF.
  • Egg Freezing (Oocyte Cryopreservation): Hormonal stimulation followed by egg retrieval and freezing for future fertilization.
  • Embryo Freezing: Fertilizing eggs with sperm to create embryos, then freezing them.
  • Ovarian Tissue Freezing: Removing and freezing strips of ovarian tissue, especially for prepubertal girls, to be thawed and potentially reimplanted later.
  • Testicular Tissue Freezing: Similar to ovarian tissue freezing, for boys and men. 
Who Benefits?
  • Cancer Patients: Chemotherapy and radiation can damage reproductive cells, making preservation crucial before treatment.
  • Individuals with Fertility Concerns: Age, genetic conditions, or certain diseases can impact fertility.
  • Transgender Individuals: To preserve reproductive options before or during hormonal therapy.
  • Anyone Planning Parenthood Later: People choosing to delay starting a family due to career, personal, or financial reasons. 
Why Consider It?
  • Mitigates Medical Risks: Protects reproductive potential from gonadotoxic treatments.
  • Provides Future Options: Ensures a chance at biological parenthood, even if fertility declines naturally or due to illness.
  • Offers Peace of Mind: Gives individuals a sense of control over future family planning. 


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