Fertility preservation is the process of protecting or maintaining the ability to have children in the future. This can be achieved through methods such as freezing eggs or sperm, or surgical procedures that protect reproductive organs. It is typically done in individuals who are at risk of infertility due to medical treatments such as chemotherapy or radiation therapy, or in those who wish to delay having children for personal reasons.
Egg freezing, also known as oocyte cryopreservation, is a medical procedure in which a woman’s eggs are extracted, frozen, and stored for later use. The eggs can be thawed and used for in vitro fertilization (IVF) to help a woman become pregnant at a later time, either due to personal or medical reasons. This allows a woman to preserve her fertility and potentially have a biological child in the future.
Oocyte poolingis a reproductive technology procedure that involves collecting eggs from multiple donors and combining them in a single dish for in vitro fertilization (IVF) purposes. This allows for efficient utilization of resources and increased success rates, as more eggs are available for fertilization and development. It is particularly useful in cases where egg yield is limited, such as in older women or those with low ovarian reserve. However, there are ethical and legal considerations related to oocyte pooling, as well as the potential for cross-contamination between eggs.
Social egg freezingis a reproductive technology that allows women to preserve their fertility for future use by freezing their eggs. This is typically done for non-medical reasons, such as career planning, delay of starting a family, or finding the right partner. The process involves hormone stimulation to mature multiple eggs, which are then harvested and frozen for future use. Social egg freezing has become increasingly popular, but it is important to understand that there is no guarantee of successful pregnancy with the use of frozen eggs and the procedure is not without risks and side effects. It’s recommended to discuss the procedure and any associated risks with a medical professional before making a decision
Egg freezing before chemotherapy is a medical procedure in which a woman’s eggs are harvested and stored prior to undergoing chemotherapy or other medical treatments that may impact her fertility. Chemotherapy and radiation therapy can cause damage to the ovaries, leading to infertility. By freezing her eggs before undergoing these treatments, a woman can preserve her future fertility. The process of egg freezing involves hormone stimulation to mature multiple eggs, which are then harvested and frozen for future use. While egg freezing can increase a woman’s chances of having a biological child in the future, it is important to understand that there is no guarantee of successful pregnancy and that the procedure is not without risks and side effects. It is recommended to discuss the procedure and any associated risks with a medical professional before making a decision.
Semen freezing, also known as sperm cryopreservation, is the process of preserving sperm cells at very low temperatures to prevent them from degradation or death. This is usually done for fertility preservation purposes, such as when a man wants to preserve his fertility before undergoing medical treatments that may affect it, or for couples who wish to have children in the future but are not yet ready. The frozen semen can be stored for an extended period of time and later thawed for use in artificial insemination or in vitro fertilization (IVF) procedures.