Fertility preservation refers to the various methods used to preserve a person’s fertility so that they have the option to have biological children in the future. It is especially relevant for individuals who may face a risk of infertility due to medical treatments, certain health conditions, or personal circumstances.
There are different fertility preservation techniques available, depending on the individual’s gender and specific circumstances:
Egg Freezing (Oocyte Cryopreservation): This technique involves the extraction of a woman’s eggs, which are then frozen and stored for later use. Prior to egg retrieval, the woman typically undergoes hormonal stimulation to encourage the development of multiple eggs. Once retrieved, the eggs are frozen using a process called vitrification and stored until they are thawed and used in the future. This method is commonly used by women who want to preserve their fertility due to medical treatments such as chemotherapy or for personal reasons.
Sperm Freezing (Sperm Cryopreservation): Sperm freezing is a method used to preserve a man’s sperm for future use. The man provides a semen sample, which is then processed and frozen. Sperm freezing is often recommended for individuals facing medical treatments that may impact their fertility, such as chemotherapy, or for those with certain occupations or lifestyle choices.
Embryo Freezing (Embryo Cryopreservation): Embryo freezing involves the fertilization of eggs with sperm through in vitro fertilization (IVF). The resulting embryos are then cryopreserved for future use. This method is commonly used by couples undergoing IVF who have surplus embryos that are not immediately transferred to the woman’s uterus. The frozen embryos can be thawed and transferred to the uterus in subsequent cycles.
Ovarian Tissue Freezing: Ovarian tissue freezing is a technique used for individuals who cannot undergo traditional egg or embryo freezing. It involves the surgical removal of a portion of the ovary, which contains immature eggs. The ovarian tissue is then frozen and can be re-implanted or used for in vitro maturation of eggs in the future.
Fertility preservation provides individuals with options to preserve their reproductive potential, giving them the opportunity to pursue biological parenthood later in life. It is important to discuss fertility preservation options with a reproductive specialist or fertility clinic to understand the most suitable approach based on individual circumstances.
