Fertility Preservation Options for Women Before Cancer Treatment

There are a number of reasons why women would choose fertility preservation, especially if they know they would like to become pregnant and have a child later on in life. For many women who are about to undergo cancer treatment, however, fertility preservation is an important topic of discussion that is often left ignored by their oncologists. When life’s circumstances are not ideal for having a child, fertility preservation is a viable option to still take advantage of prime ovulation years. In this blog, our Boca Rotan fertility doctor explains the different fertility techniques women should consider before, during, and after their cancer treatment.

Egg and Embryo Freezing

Egg and embryo freezing are the two most common ways women choose to preserve their fertility. This is an especially popular choice for women who are about to undergo cancer treatment. For women who do not have a male partner or do not want to use a sperm donor, egg freezing is a wise choice. Embryo freezing, on the other hand, requires a male partner or a sperm donor. Both techniques are well established and have impressive success rates.

Ovarian Transportation

Ovarian transportation consists of surgically moving the ovaries high in the abdomen in an effort to keep them away from the radiation field. This minimizes radiation exposure to the ovaries and helps prevent any damage prior to starting treatment.

Ovarian Suppression

This type of procedure is currently considered an experimental technique that causes ovaries to temporarily shut down. With the ovaries shut down, patients remain in a menopausal state throughout the course of their treatment. Ovarian suppression is most commonly used in young breast cancer patients who are also at risk for early menopause.

If you’d like to learn more about egg or embryo freezing before beginning your chemotherapy or radiation treatment, we urge you to contact Palm Beach Fertility Center today. Our Boca Rotan fertility doctor is proud to offer patients groundbreaking techniques and treatment plans.

If you’d like to discuss your options, call Palm Beach Fertility Center today (888) 819-5177 to schedule an appointment.