Cryopreservation: When You Want to Preserve Your Fertility

More and more women in America are having their egg cells frozen. Some want to extend their fertility until they find the right partner to start a family with. Others do it before cancer treatment makes them sterile.

It is a high priority for women recently diagnosed with cancer to discuss fertility preservation with their oncologist. Dr. Edward J. Ramirez, MD, FACOG, is a board-certified OB/GYN and fertility preservation specialist at The Fertility & Gynecology Center-Monterey Bay IVF in Monterey Bay, California. Dr. Ramirez and his compassionate staff are ready at a moment’s notice to assist anyone who is facing cancer treatments that may impair their ability to conceive in the future.

Cryopreservation allows women with cancer or other underlying health issues to freeze healthy eggs and protect their ability to have children later. Embryos or egg cells are removed and frozen so that you can become pregnant at a later point in time. Cryopreservation is about extending natural fertility.

Why would I consider cryopreservation?

Many patients lead a happy and healthy life after a cancer diagnosis. However, some cancer therapies can be very damaging to fertility. That puts young patients in a difficult position. Suddenly, you have to deal with a life-changing question in a short amount of time. The decision must be made before starting treatment so that precautions can be taken in the event of possible infertility.

The right time to make a decision is before therapy

Sometimes a decision has to be made quickly because of the cancer itself, but more often because of the necessary treatments that can cause infertility in women. A pregnancy or conception in a natural way is often no longer possible afterward. 

Chemotherapy and radiation therapies are more strongly targeted against cancer cells and can also damage healthy cells. This is why it’s crucial for patients to decide before starting treatment whether they want to consider options such as cryotherapy.

Fertility preservation education

Medical education about fertility should be an integral part of cancer advice. Perhaps you’ve already clarified family planning for yourself or with your partner. If you have children, you should discuss this with your oncologist and your OB/GYN as early as possible. Even if you aren’t sure whether you would like to raise a family in the future, cryopreservation can allow you to decide after treatment. 

Don’t hesitate to discuss your fertility options as soon as possible. Dr. Ramirez and his expert staff will discuss this procedure that freezes your eggs to preserve and extend your fertility. You can use the eggs later to conceive a pregnancy in the future.

The team at The Fertility & Gynecology Center - Monterey Bay IVF recommends women younger than 38 freeze 15-20 mature eggs to give up to an 80% chance of at least one live birth. Women between the ages of 38-40 should freeze 25-30 mature eggs to promote a 65%-75% chance of at least one live birth.

Are you considering preserving your fertility?

Of course, a cancer diagnosis isn’t the only reason you might consider cryopreservation. If you’re interested in learning more about the benefits of cryopreservation, schedule a consultation with the team at The Fertility & Gynecology Center - Monterey Bay IVF. Call the office or book an appointment online today.