Fertility Preservation Treatment
Fertility preservation refers to medical strategies and procedures used to safeguard an individual's ability to have biological children in the future. These techniques are commonly pursued by individuals who may lose fertility due to medical treatments like chemotherapy, radiation, surgery, or certain health conditions.
Common Methods of Fertility Preservation
For Women
Eggs are harvested from the ovaries and frozen for later use. This method is widely used by women who are undergoing cancer treatments or who want to delay pregnancy for other reasons.
Eggs are fertilized with sperm to create embryos, which are then frozen for future use. This is often an option for couples.
A portion of ovarian tissue is removed and frozen for future transplantation. This is an experimental procedure often considered when egg freezing is not possible.
Certain medications (GnRH agonists) are used to protect the ovaries from damage during chemotherapy.
For Men
Sperm is collected and frozen for later use. This is a common option for men undergoing treatments like chemotherapy or radiation that can impair fertility.
testicular tissue can be frozen for future sperm extraction, particularly for boys who have not yet reached puberty and do not produce sperm.
For Children (Prepubescent)
For children undergoing treatments that could affect their fertility later in life, tissue from their ovaries or testes can be frozen for future use. This option is experimental but offers hope for prepubescent patients
Indications for Fertility Preservation
Cancer Treatment: Chemotherapy, radiation, and surgeries used to treat cancer can negatively impact fertility. Fertility preservation offers a chance for future parenthood.
Autoimmune Disorders: Conditions such as lupus that require high-dose immunosuppressants can impact reproductive organs.
This condition can damage ovarian reserve over time.
Delayed Childbearing: Individuals who wish to focus on career or personal development before starting a family may choose fertility preservation.
Gender-Affirming Treatments: Transgender individuals undergoing hormone therapy or surgeries may pursue fertility preservation before transitioning.
Fertility preservation raises ethical concerns, particularly in cases involving children or individuals with severe health conditions. Legal issues may arise concerning ownership of frozen embryos or eggs, especially in the context of separation or death.
With ongoing research, new techniques such as in vitro maturation (IVM) of eggs and more reliable methods of ovarian tissue preservation are becoming available, broadening the scope of fertility preservation options