Fertility Options for Women
Options for women to have children after cancer has increased significantly in recent years. Women should be counselled on established options such as embryo banking in which hormonal stimulation causes the production of multiple eggs, which are removed, fertilized by sperm, and frozen for future use, and egg banking in which hormonal stimulation causes the production of multiple eggs, which are removed and frozen for storage and future use.
- Egg Retrieval: Egg retrieval is the process of removing eggs from the ovaries. Stimulation drugs are given prior to the retrieval which helps in the development of eggs.
- Egg Freezing: Egg are retrieved from the ovaries and further they are stored as unfertilized (egg freezing) for the future use. The freezing option is both for single women or a couple.
- Ovarian Tissue Freezing: The ovarian tissue is brought to a special laboratory to be processed. The outer layer of the ovary, which holds the eggs, will be removed, cut into small pieces, and frozen. A small amount of the tissue will be used for research to find the best way to help women have children using ovarian tissue. The rest of the tissue will be stored for your personal use.