There are many reasons why someone might consider preserving their fertility. Here are some of the most common:
If you’re having certain types of cancer treatment, such as chemotherapy or radiotherapy, you may want to consider freezing your eggs, sperm or embryos beforehand. Some treatments can affect fertility, particularly at higher doses, so exploring your options early can give you more choice in the future. You can find more information about fertility and cancer treatment through Cancer Research UK.
Not everyone feels ready for parenthood at the same time. You might be focusing on your career, personal goals, or simply waiting until the time feels right. Preserving your fertility can give you more flexibility for the future.
If you’re planning to start hormone therapy or have gender-affirming surgery, you may want to consider preserving your fertility first. Some treatments can affect your ability to have biological children later on, so it can be helpful to understand your options in advance.
Egg freezing is a method of preserving fertility, allowing someone to try for a baby at a later date.
Sperm freezing is an effective way to preserve fertility and can be used by patients as young as 13 if needed.
People with good-quality embryos they’re not ready to use can choose to freeze them for future treatment or donation.
Testicular tissue freezing is a specialist technique used to preserve fertility in people who do not produce viable sperm in their ejaculate (azoospermia), as well as younger patients who are unable to produce an ejaculate.
