Fertility Preservation Procedure, Purpose and Cost

Introduction

Are you considering preserving your fertility for the future? You’re not alone. According to a recent survey, 1 in 5 women in India are delaying motherhood until their 30s, while 1 in 10 men are experiencing fertility issues (Source: Indian Society for Assisted Reproduction). Fertility preservation procedure, or egg and sperm freezing, empowers individuals to safeguard their reproductive future empowering individuals to plan and start a family on their terms.

We understand the importance of the fertility preservation procedure and its benefits at Imprimis IVF. In this blog post, we’ll guide you through the process of freezing your eggs or sperm, its advantages, and what to expect. Whether you’re facing medical issues, career aspirations, or simply want to delay parenthood, fertility preservation can provide peace of mind for your future.

What is the Fertility Preservation Procedure?

Fertility preservation, also known as fertility banking, is the process of saving eggs, sperm, or embryos for future use. This revolutionary technology allows individuals to take control of their reproductive health and plan for their future families.

Fertility preservation is not just for those facing medical issues; it’s also for individuals who want to delay parenthood due to career goals, education, or personal reasons.

According to the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM), fertility preservation is a viable option for individuals diagnosed with cancer, as well as those with a family history of early menopause or other fertility-related issues.

At Imprimis IVF, our experts guide you through the fertility preservation process, ensuring your reproductive health is protected for the future.

There are Three Main Types of Fertility Preservation:

Egg freezing: Saving healthy eggs for future pregnancy, allowing women to delay childbearing while preserving their reproductive options.
Sperm freezing: Storing healthy sperm for future fertility, providing men with a backup plan for fatherhood.
Embryo freezing: Safeguarding fertilized eggs (embryos) created through IVF, allowing couples to delay pregnancy while keeping their fertility options open.

Why Freeze Your Eggs or Sperm?

There are several reasons why individuals choose to preserve their fertility.

Reasons for Egg Freezing:

Career Goals: Many women choose to freeze their eggs to focus on their careers before starting a family. According to a survey by the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM), 75% of women who freeze their eggs do so for career or educational reasons.
Education: Pursuing higher education can be a significant undertaking, and egg freezing provides a way for women to preserve their fertility while they focus on their studies.
3. Personal Goals: Some women may choose to freeze their eggs to achieve personal goals, such as travelling or pursuing hobbies, before starting a family.
Medical Conditions: Women facing medical challenges like cancer, endometriosis, or early menopause may opt for egg freezing to protect their fertility before treatment.
Age-Related Decline in Fertility: Egg freezing helps women safeguard their fertility by preserving healthy eggs before age-related decline in quality and quantity.

Reasons for Sperm Freezing:

Medical Conditions: Men with medical conditions such as cancer may choose to freeze their sperm before undergoing treatment.
Cancer Treatment: Chemotherapy and radiation can damage sperm, so freezing sperm before treatment can help preserve fertility.
Vasectomy: Men who’ve had a vasectomy may freeze their sperm as a backup plan, allowing them to still have biological children if their family plans change.
Career or Lifestyle Choices: Some men may choose to freeze their sperm due to career or lifestyle choices that may impact their fertility.

At Imprimis IVF, our fertility specialists will walk you through the simple process of egg or sperm freezing, securing your reproductive options for years to come.

The Egg Freezing Process

Egg freezing, or oocyte cryopreservation, is a process that helps women save their eggs for later, giving them more control over family planning.

Initial Consultation: The journey begins with a consultation with a fertility specialist at Imprimis IVF. Our experts will discuss your medical history, fertility goals, and the egg-freezing process in detail.
Ovarian Stimulation: To stimulate egg production, you’ll undergo ovarian stimulation, This process involves hormone injections that stimulate the ovaries, promoting the release of multiple healthy eggs.
Egg Retrieval: Once the eggs are mature, they’ll be retrieved through a minor surgical procedure. This procedure is usually performed while you’re comfortably relaxed under gentle sedation or light anaesthesia.
Egg Freezing: The retrieved eggs will be frozen using a process called vitrification, which helps preserve the eggs’ structure and function.
Storage: The frozen eggs will be stored in a secure facility, where they can be stored for years to come.

While egg freezing is a safe and effective process, there are some risks and side effects to be aware of, including:

Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS)
Possible risks after egg retrieval include minor bleeding or infection, which can be easily treated.
Emotional stress and anxiety

According to the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM), egg freezing has become an increasingly popular option for women, with over 10,000 women freezing their eggs in the US alone in 2020.

At Imprimis IVF, our experts are dedicated to guiding you through the egg-freezing process, ensuring your reproductive health is protected for the future.

Factors Affecting Egg and Sperm Quality

The health and quality of eggs and sperm significantly impact fertility, affecting the chances of successful conception. Several factors can affect the quality of these reproductive cells, making it essential to understand and address them.

Factors Affecting Egg Quality:

Age: Egg quality declines with age, with a significant drop after 35 years. According to a recent study, a woman’s chances of getting pregnant decline by 3-4% each year after 35.
Lifestyle Choices: Smoking, a poor diet, and excessive stress can all impact egg quality.
Medical Conditions: Certain medical conditions, such as endometriosis and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), can also affect egg quality.

Factors Affecting Sperm Quality:

Age: Sperm quality also declines with age, with a significant drop after 40 years.
Lifestyle Choices: Smoking, excessive heat, and certain medications can all impact sperm quality.
3. Medical Conditions: Medical conditions, such as varicocele and infections, can also affect sperm quality.

At Imprimis IVF, our experts can help you understand how these factors affect your egg and sperm quality and provide personalized guidance on how to improve them.

Thawing and Using Frozen Eggs or Sperm

When you’re ready to start a family, your frozen eggs or sperm can be thawed and used in various fertility treatments. The thawing process is a delicate one, requiring careful attention to ensure the eggs or sperm remain viable.

Thawing Process:

Frozen eggs and sperm are thawed using a specialized process that helps preserve their structure and function. According to the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM), the thawing process has a success rate of over 90% for eggs and over 95% for sperm.

Using Frozen Eggs or Sperm:

Once thawed, your eggs or sperm can be used in various fertility treatments, including:

IVF (In Vitro Fertilization): Eggs are fertilized with sperm in a lab, and the developing embryo is then gently placed in the uterus.
ICSI (Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection): A single sperm is injected directly into an egg to fertilize it.
Donor Sperm or Eggs: Frozen donor sperm or eggs can be used in conjunction with your eggs or sperm to achieve pregnancy.

At Imprimis IVF, our experts will guide you through the thawing and treatment process. Make your parenthood dreams a reality, whenever you’re ready.

Cost of Egg and Sperm Freezing:

The cost of egg freezing can range from ₹1.5 lakhs to ₹2.5 lakhs per cycle.
The cost of sperm freezing can range from ₹5,000 to ₹10,000 per year for storage

Additional costs may include:

Initial consultation fees
Medication costs
Storage fees

Insurance Coverage:

Some health insurance policies in India cover fertility treatments, including egg and sperm freezing.
However, coverage is often limited, and policies may not cover the entire cost of treatment.
According to the Indian Society for Assisted Reproduction, only 10% of health insurance policies in India cover fertility treatments

Conclusion

In conclusion, a fertility preservation procedure is a vital option for individuals who want to take control of their reproductive health. With the increasing age of marriage and parenthood, fertility preservation has become a necessity. According to the Indian Society for Assisted Reproduction, over 10% of Indian women face infertility issues due to delayed marriage and childbirth.

At Imprimis IVF, we encourage you to consider fertility preservation procedure options to safeguard your reproductive future.