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Fertility Preservation: Who Should Do It and When?

Fertility Preservation: Who Should Do It and When?

| 26 Jul 2023 | Views

Introduction

In the journey of life, having control over our bodies and our future is paramount. One such aspect is preserving our ability to have children when the time is right for us. Welcome to the world of Fertility Preservation. It is a proactive approach, an insurance for your future progeny. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk you through the whys, whens, and whos of fertility preservation.

What is Fertility Preservation?

Fertility Preservation is a process that allows individuals to save or protect their eggs, sperm, or reproductive tissue so that they can have biological children in the future. It’s like putting the possibility of parenthood on ice, literally! This process, provided by leading fertility clinics like India IVF Fertility, ensures that your choice to have a child does not have to be dictated by your biological clock or medical conditions

Why is Fertility Preservation Done?

Fertility preservation is generally undertaken for a host of reasons:

  • Medical Conditions: Certain conditions like cancer and autoimmune diseases, or treatments such as chemotherapy and radiation, can impair fertility. In such cases, fertility preservation is a beacon of hope.
  • Age-related Infertility: With age, fertility naturally declines, especially in women. Fertility preservation allows these individuals to plan their parenthood.
  • Delayed Childbearing: Many people today choose to delay having children due to career commitments, lack of a suitable partner, or personal reasons. Fertility preservation gives them the freedom to do so without sacrificing their ability to have children later.

What are the Types of Fertility Preservation?

Depending on your unique needs, various methods can be employed:

  • Embryo Cryopreservation: This involves the freezing of embryos for future use. It’s an excellent option for couples undergoing IVF.
  • Egg Freezing: Women can choose to freeze their eggs to use later. This is particularly beneficial for women who wish to delay childbearing.
  • Sperm Freezing: Men can opt to freeze their sperm, useful in cases of surgery, radiation therapy, or chemotherapy.
  • Ovarian and Testicular Tissue Freezing: This involves freezing ovarian or testicular tissues that can later be transplanted back into the body.

Fertility Preservation for Iatrogenic Infertility:

“Iatrogenic infertility” refers to infertility caused by medical treatments, especially those for cancer. Treatments like chemotherapy and radiation can harm reproductive organs and result in infertility. That’s where fertility preservation swoops in, providing a silver lining for patients to hold onto their dreams of future parenthood.

How Can Women Preserve Fertility Before Cancer Treatment?

Women can opt for several methods, such as:

  • Egg Freezing: Prior to cancer treatment, women can undergo a cycle of IVF to retrieve and freeze their eggs.
  • Embryo Freezing: If the woman has a partner, IVF can be conducted to create embryos that can be frozen for future use.
  • Ovarian Tissue Freezing: For prepubescent girls or women who cannot delay cancer treatment, a part of the ovary can be removed and frozen for future use.

What Can Men Do to Preserve Fertility Before Cancer Treatment?

For men, sperm freezing is a viable and common method. The process is relatively simple and non-invasive, involving the collection of a semen sample that is then frozen and stored for future use.

What Happens to the Frozen Embryos, Eggs, and Sperm?

The frozen embryos, eggs, and sperm are safely stored in a laboratory until you decide to use them. When the time is right, these can be thawed and used in assisted reproduction techniques such as IVF. At India IVF Fertility, these precious potential life-forms are treated with utmost care and respect, stored securely and monitored consistently.

Advantages of Fertility Preservation:

Some benefits of fertility preservation include:

  • Provides a chance for future parenthood, especially to those dealing with medical conditions that threaten fertility.
  • Allows individuals to delay childbearing for personal reasons without worrying about biological limitations.
  • Gives peace of mind to individuals undergoing treatments like chemotherapy.

Risks of Fertility Preservation:

Though fertility preservation is a beacon of hope for many, it’s crucial to understand that there are certain risks associated with these procedures:

  • Not all frozen eggs or embryos will survive the freezing and thawing process.
  • There is no 100% guarantee of a successful pregnancy in the future.
  • There are possible emotional and ethical challenges to consider.

Success Rate of Fertility Preservation in India:

While the success rate of fertility preservation depends on various factors such as age, underlying medical conditions, and the quality of the clinic, reputable fertility clinics like India IVF Fertility have seen considerable success in this field, bringing joy to many families across Delhi, Noida, Gurgaon and Gwalior.

Conclusion

Choosing fertility preservation is a highly personal decision, dictated by various factors like health conditions, life goals, and personal circumstances. If you’re considering this path, you’re not alone. Clinics like India IVF Fertility are there to guide and support you on this journey, helping to turn your dream of parenthood into a reality, on your own terms and timeline.

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FAQs

Who is a suitable candidate for fertility preservation?

Anyone who wishes to delay childbearing or has a medical condition or treatment that might affect their fertility can consider fertility preservation.

The best time is generally before the onset of any fertility-compromising medical treatment or when an individual is at their peak reproductive health.

Yes, fertility preservation is generally safe. However, like any medical procedure, it carries some risks and uncertainties.

Yes, fertility preservation can raise ethical issues, especially in cases of posthumous reproduction or dispute over frozen embryos in the event of a divorce.

They can be donated to others, used for research, or disposed of, depending on your wishes and the policies of your fertility clinic.

There's no definitive expiry date; they can remain frozen for years without a decrease in quality.

The cost varies based on the clinic and the specific procedure. It's best to contact the clinic directly for accurate information.

While the process involves some invasive procedures, discomfort can be managed with the appropriate care and medication.

While it increases the chances of future parenthood, it cannot provide a 100% guarantee due to various factors such as the quality of eggs/sperm and individual health conditions.

Yes, both men and women can preserve their fertility before undergoing cancer treatment.

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