
Oocyte vitrification.
Fertility preservation techniques offer women the opportunity to postpone motherhood through medical and laboratory procedures.
The current pace of life, personal and professional circumstances, as well as the future of women in relationships, make fertility preservation without medical indication a relevant issue with an increasing demand for information at assisted reproduction centers.
Techniques to preserve fertility.
The reasons patients choose to preserve fertility can be divided into those involving a medical indication (such as cancer patients, autoimmune diseases, treatments contraindicating pregnancy, patients undergoing radical surgeries, etc.) and those for social reasons or without a medical indication (such as career life, personal decision of the patient, etc.).
The decline in fertility
It's important to understand that women begin experiencing a decline in fertility starting around the age of 35, with a more significant decrease after the age of 40.
This information is crucial when discussing fertility preservation options with women, as delaying reproductive age may not maximize the effectiveness of the procedure, leading to less favorable outcomes than desired.
The optimal age for fertility preservation is under 35 years, especially for women who consider using their cryopreserved eggs around the age of 40.
Fertility preservation techniques.
Similarly, it's important to inform women about the limitations of fertility preservation techniques.
Prior to undergoing a fertility preservation treatment, patients must undergo a preliminary examination involving blood tests and an ultrasound to accurately assess their reproductive options.
After completing the evaluation, the healthcare professional should inform the patient, depending on her individual situation and indication, about the realistic success rates, potential short- and long-term side effects of fertility preservation techniques, as well as the risks associated with delayed motherhood.
Once the decision is made to start the process, women should be aware that:
- 85% of initiated cycles respond correctly to treatment.
- The recovery of one or more oocytes through follicular puncture occurs in 98% of cases.
- The survival rate of these oocytes, once cryopreserved, is around 90%.
- Once fertilized, the pregnancy rate after an embryo transfer is 30-40%.
Cryopreservation can be extended indefinitely over time, with the understanding that the best use is achieved if the preserved oocytes can be utilized during the woman's physiologically fertile age and in accordance with the maximum limit established by the centers.
Semen Freezing.
The reasons MEN choose to preserve fertility can be divided into those involving a medical indication (such as cancer treatment, autoimmune diseases, or other medical treatments affecting fertility) or those who are planning to undergo sterilization procedures like VASECTOMY, but decide to preserve a semen sample in case of future changes in their personal circumstances.