Fertility Preservation

Fertility Preservation to Manage Potential Medical Risks

If you need to have therapy or surgery for cancer or a serious illness, it can create a potential risk to your future fertility – sometimes with a permanent impact. It is hence very important, especially if you are younger and wish to have a baby sometime in the future, to discuss fertility preservation with your oncologist and fertility specialist before your treatment begins.

For example, women diagnosed with gynaecological cancer may need surgery to remove the tumours, and this may also result in the removal of the ovary, uterus or fallopian tube. Chemotherapy can also damage your eggs, and radiotherapy can bring on an early menopause if conducted in the pelvic region.

Freezing Eggs to Preserve Fertility

Depending on the type of cancer you have and your treatment plan, your doctor may recommend freezing some eggs for future use through IVF treatment. We can also freeze embryos and ovarian tissue.

Many women across the world are also considering preserving their fertility if they are not in a position to have a baby right now and would like the opportunity to start a family beyond the age at which fertility naturally declines. The same technology is used to help women preserve their fertility, whether it is for medical or social reasons. While current local legislation only facilitates egg freezing for medical reasons, many other countries undertake egg freezing for social reasons.