Fertility preservation is the process of saving or protecting eggs, sperm, or reproductive tissue so that a person can use them to have biological children in the future. This proactive approach is particularly relevant for cancer patients undergoing treatments that may affect their fertility, individuals with genetic conditions that could impact future fertility, and those who wish to delay parenthood for personal or professional reasons, which is an ever-increasing number of women.
Dr Genia Rozen is a leading expert in fertility preservation and egg freezing, having completed her PhD thesis on ‘Uterine function following radiotherapy’ which was funded by a National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) research grant.
Dr Rozen combines her expertise with compassionate care to guide you through the fertility preservation process with a plan that is unique to each person’s situation, any upcoming treatments, and current health status.
Egg freezing (scientifically known as oocyte cryopreservation) is a process that allows women to preserve their fertility by freezing their eggs for future use. This advanced reproductive technology offers women the opportunity to delay pregnancy for various reasons, including medical treatments, career planning, or not having found the right partner.
Dr Genia Rozen has a special interest in egg freezing and helps many women achieve peace of mind with this service.
When a woman decides to use her frozen eggs, they are thawed, fertilised with sperm through in vitro fertilisation (IVF), and the resulting embryos are transferred to the uterus in hopes of achieving pregnancy.
Success rates for egg freezing have improved significantly with advancements in vitrification. However, success is highly dependent on the age of the woman at the time of egg retrieval. Studies suggest that women who freeze their eggs before the age of 35 have higher rates of pregnancy success compared to those who freeze eggs at a later age. The likelihood of a live birth from frozen eggs can vary, with some estimates suggesting rates from 2% to 12% per egg for women under 35, decreasing with age.
Sperm freezing is a straightforward procedure that allows men to store sperm for future use. This method is beneficial for men undergoing medical treatments affecting fertility, facing surgical sterilisation, or wishing to delay fatherhood.
For couples or individuals undergoing IVF, embryo freezing provides an option to preserve embryos for future use. This method involves fertilising retrieved eggs with sperm in a lab and freezing the embryos at an early developmental stage.
This experimental technique involves removing and freezing ovarian tissue before treatments that could harm fertility. Later, the tissue can be reimplanted to restore fertility, though this method is still under research and considered for those with no other options.
Ovarian suppression uses medication to temporarily shut down the ovaries’ function, protecting them from the damaging effects of chemotherapy. The effectiveness of this method as a fertility preservation technique is still under study, and it is often considered adjunctive to other methods.
Testicular tissue freezing is an experimental approach aimed at preserving male fertility. It involves freezing tissue from the testes, which might be used in the future to restore fertility. This method is mainly considered for prepubertal boys who cannot produce sperm due to their age.
The diagnosis and treatment for cancer or other serious medical conditions such as severe endometriosis, aplastic anaemia, and some metabolic diseases, can be extremely stressful and traumatic.
The treatments, which are often necessary for cancer patients, can have a significant impact on your ability to conceive in the future.
Things can feel very rushed, as you’re starting to come to terms with your diagnosis. Having children may be the last thing you want to think about right now. But talking to a health professional now can help you to understand the long-term effects of your treatment and the options that are available to you.
Infertility after cancer, medical or surgical treatments may arise because:
There are options to preserve your fertility worth considering:
Fertility preservation offers a promising path for individuals who wish to delay parenthood or face treatments that could impair their fertility. With advances in reproductive technology, there are now several options available to help secure the possibility of biological children in the future.
By offering a range of preservation methods and personalised care plans, Dr Rozen can ensure that your journey to becoming a parent in the future starts on a solid foundation today, so that you can put your mind at ease.
Dr Genia Rozen is a Melbourne gynaecologist and fertility specialist with 10+ years of experience dedicated to fertility medicine.
She holds a PhD in fertility after cancer treatment, and a Masters of Reproductive Medicine (MRMED) degree. She undertook three years of sub-specialising training in Fertility and Reproductive Medicine at the Royal Women’s Hospital in Melbourne as is affiliated with Genea Fertility, who are recognised leaders in advanced reproductive laboratory services.
Please get in touch if you have a question or wish to book an appointment.
