Fertility Preservation

  • Female
  • Male

    • Female

    Cancer therapies, like chemotherapy and radiation, as well as other disease or illness may compromise the health and fertility of the reproductive system. Fertility preservation can be a welcome option to those about to undergo medical treatments in which sterility can result. At HEARTLAND we offer the cryopreservation of sperm and embryos giving opportunity and hope for a fertile future.

    If you are concerned with your future ability to conceive, at HEARTLAND we offer women the opportunity to preserve embryos. Reasons you may consider fertility preservation are:

  • Forthcoming surgery to remove ovaries
  • Cancer treatments (radiation and chemotherapy)
  • Genetic causes (damaged or decreasing number of eggs)

    • Cancer

    Though today's cancer treatments are increasingly successful, chemotherapy, radiation and even surgery may speed up the natural process of egg loss. This in turn can reduce or even destroy your ovarian reserve. Infertility is not an automatic result of cancer therapies and can depend on the type of treatment you undergo, your age and your fertility status prior to treatment.

    Embryo Freezing

    Embryo This is the most common and successful way to preserve female fertility. The process of freezing embryos begins with hormone injections to stimulate your ovaries to produce more eggs. The growth of your follicles will be monitored via ultrasound. Once they are mature, they will be aspirated through the vaginal wall, using a needle guided by ultrasound. Mature eggs are fertilized using sperm from your partner or donor through the process of In Vitro Fertilization (IVF). The number of embryos retrieved and frozen varies.

    Embryo freezing is typically done about two weeks after the start of your period. If you are undergoing cancer treatment, embryo freezing should be performed before those treatments begin.


    How do I use them?

    When you're ready to use your frozen embryos, medications will build up the lining of your uterus, preparing it for implantation. One to three of your embryos will be thawed and placed into your uterus.

    How successful is it?

    Approximately 50 to 70% of thawed embryos survive the transfer process. Pregnancy rates vary depending on the quality of the embryos as well as your age at the time they were frozen. However, generally there is a 25 - 40% chance of pregnancy per embryo replacement.