Fertility Preservation

What is Fertility Preservation?

Fertility preservation is a subspecialty within the field of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility. Specifically, it focuses on helping reproductive-age men and women who are about to undergo cancer treatment understand their risks of infertility and possible treatment options. It also applies to healthy women who wish to delay child-bearing.

Preserving Fertility Before Cancer Treatment

Cancer will affect approximately 1 in 50 women and 1 in 70 men by the time they reach their 39th birthday. Similarly, 1 in 500 children will be diagnosed with a form of childhood cancer. Fortunately, advances in cancer treatment have increased survival in all of these patients.

Who is a Candidate for Fertility Preservation?

The Jones Institute treats all patients (children, adolescents, adult men and women) who are faced with the use of chemotherapy or radiation therapy, trauma (spinal cord injury), chronic diseases (multiple sclerosis, diabetes, etc.), surgery (vasectomy, ovarian removal for benign diseases such as endometriosis and ovarian cysts) that may alter their fertility, whether they have a diagnosis of cancer or other life-altering disease, and to fulfill a patient’s desire to preserve/extend reproductive life.

What are the Techniques to Preserve Fertility?

For Females:

• IVF and embryo freezing
• Ovarian tissue freezing
• Oocyte freezing
• Donor egg treatment
• Gestational carrier treatment

For Males:

• Testicular tissue aspiration and freezing
• Sperm freezing
• Donor sperm treatment

Fertility Preservation: A Personal Decision

Fertility preservation should be considered along with your cancer treatment and your overall health. We recommend you make an appointment with us and your primary care physician to discuss pre-treatment and post-treatment options.

Together we may be able to make a difference in your life ... and in your future fertility.