There are various reasons why you might consider preserving your fertility which are outlined below.
If you're having certain types of cancer treatment, including chemotherapy or radiotherapy, you might want to consider freezing your eggs, sperm or embryos. This is because some of the drugs used in cancer treatment can cause infertility, especially in high doses.
Find out more about fertility and chemotherapy via Cancer Research UK.
Not everyone feels ready for parenthood at the same time. You might want to preserve your fertility because you haven't met the right partner, you don't feel financially or emotionally ready, or you have other life plans you want to pursue.
You may want to preserve your fertility if you’re starting hormone therapy or are planning to have reconstructive surgery. Both treatments can lead to the partial or total loss of your fertility. Information for trans and non-binary people seeking fertility treatment.
If you're in the British Armed Forces you might choose to freeze your sperm, eggs or embryos before deployment to preserve your fertility in case of injury. This option can give you peace of mind that whatever happens you may be able to have a family in the future. Some clinics offer discounted treatment for members of the Armed Forces. Learn more.
Egg freezing is a method of preserving a person’s fertility so they can try and have children at a later date. Egg freezing is a rapidly changing field. For the latest statistics on egg freezing, visit our research and data page.
Find our more about egg freezing
Sperm freezing is the most effective method of preserving fertility and can be stored from patients as young as 13 if needed.
Find out more about Sperm freezing
Couples with good quality embryos they're not ready to use have the option of freezing them to use in the future or to donate.
Find out more about Embryo freezing
Testicular tissue freezing is a specialist technique to preserve the fertility in people who do not produce viable sperm in their ejaculate (azoospermia) as well as younger people who are unable to produce an ejaculate.
