Fertility Preservation

The main reason young women and men may need to consider this is the risk of damage to eggs and sperm from chemotherapy drugs, radiotherapy or other treatments, including surgery, for serious medical illnesses and cancer.

Some women may also consider fertility preservation because they are getting older but are not in a situation where they can try to have a baby right now.

For young women these options include freezing of eggs, freezing of embryos, freezing of ovarian tissue and medications which may protect the ovaries from toxic chemotherapy drugs.

For young men the options include freezing some sperm and freezing of testicular tissue.

If you are considering fertility preservation you should organise an appointment with one of our fertility specialists, or with one of our fertility counsellors if you are not ready to take that step. You will need a referral from your GP or specialist.

Your fertility specialist will discuss any risks associated with your fertility treatment, including the extent of the planned medical treatments or delay in commencing a family. Your fertility specialist can then advise you of the best options for your individual situation.

This initial appointment gives you the opportunity to discuss your personal circumstances, become informed about the risks to your fertility, and learn about different fertility-protecting and fertility-preserving options. It also helps establish the contact with your fertility specialist. After the cancer or other fertility-compromising treatment has been completed, you will need to have your ongoing potential fertility and hormonal issues assessed and managed. You may also wish to consider other future options, such as donor sperm or donor eggs.

The fertility specialist will take a medical history, arrange any necessary investigations (including blood tests and ultrasound assessment of the ovaries) and arrange a counselling referral if this is required or requested. If you choose to have egg freezing, the fertility specialist will then manage your care through the stimulation and egg collection procedure.