Fertility Preservation: Protecting Your Reproductive Future
Egg freezing, embryo freezing, and sperm banking before cancer treatment or delayed parenthood. Who should consider it, success factors, and costs in India.
What is fertility preservation?
Fertility preservation refers to medical techniques used to safeguard reproductive potential for future use. It is commonly considered before cancer treatment, delayed parenthood, gender-affirming care, or medical conditions that may affect fertility. It preserves reproductive cells at a younger biological age, potentially improving future pregnancy outcomes.
Who should consider it?
- Women delaying pregnancy
- Cancer patients before gonadotoxic treatment
- Individuals with low ovarian reserve
- Patients requiring chemotherapy, radiation, or stem cell transplant
- Men before cancer treatment or high-risk procedures
Available options
Women: egg freezing (₹1L–2.5L), embryo freezing (₹30,000–80,000 + IVF), ovarian tissue freezing (emerging, ₹1.5L–4L) Men: sperm freezing — excellent survival rates (₹5,000–25,000)
Success depends on age at preservation and the number of eggs, embryos, or sperm stored.
Key takeaways
Earlier preservation generally leads to better outcomes. Egg and embryo freezing are now well-established technologies. Fertility preservation should be discussed immediately after a cancer diagnosis when relevant. It provides reproductive flexibility for the future.