LGBTQAI+ Flag

Egg Freezing

Fertility Preservation

Fertility can't always wait! We know that age affects the quality of eggs and that certain medications, chemotherapy treatments, and also surgeries can affect the egg supply. NRM is focused on helping individuals understand how each of these affect fertility and how you can maximize your future fertility.

The most common feedback we hear from our patients in their late 30's and 40's: "I wish I would have known about egg freezing" or "I wish I would have started treatment sooner."

Don't delay! Fertility preservation or egg freezing allows you to stop the biological clock at your current age, even if you wait to become pregnant until later in life. This means that the success of becoming pregnant, the miscarriage risk, and the risk of chromosomal abnormalities like Down's Syndrome are equivalent to the age the eggs were frozen, not the age at which the pregnancy is carried.

Fertility preservation refers to the cryopreservation (freezing) and storage of reproductive cells (gametes- either eggs or sperm) or embryos (eggs fertilized by sperm) for future use. The advanced technique of vitrification, or flash-freezing, has improved the ability to efficiently preserve eggs and embryos for best chances of future success.

Choose NRM

When you are ready, your next step is to schedule a consultation where we can meet with you and develop a personalized fertility preservation plan designed to allow you the time you need to start a family of your own.

Schedule A Consultation

Who Should Consider Fertility Preservation?

  • Individuals diagnosed with cancer in their reproductive years should consider fertility preservation prior to starting treatment.

  • Chemotherapeutic agents can be toxic to reproductive organs, specifically ovaries and testicles where the reproductive cells are produced and stored. Preserving gametes prior to treatment can give patients peace of mind that they can still start or expand their family in the future.

  • Individuals who choose to delay becoming pregnant for social reasons—career choices, continuing education, lack of partner, or other personal reasons—and who want to give themselves access to “younger” eggs allowing for higher chances at pregnancy.

  • Individuals with autoimmune disorders who must be on medications that may destroy reproductive function.

  • Individuals who have been advised to have their ovaries removed (for example, due to severe endometriosis.)

  • Transgender individuals who wish to preserve genetic material prior to transition.

  • Individuals who choose to delay reproducing until later in life or are considering a vasectomy.

Who Should Consider Freezing Embryos (Eggs Fertilized by Sperm)?

Any individual described above who has a partner—and together, you wish to preserve your fertility as a couple.

The decision of freezing eggs versus freezing embryos can be complex and depends on your particular situation—schedule an appointment with one of NRM’s physicians to discuss how your needs will best be met.

What is Involved in Freezing Eggs?

  • The first step is a consultation with one of our providers to discuss the procedure and the risks and benefits. While egg freezing is not a guarantee of future pregnancy, our goal is to maximize your chances of success by using the latest cryopreservation technique.

  • You will then have diagnostic testing to evaluate your personal ovarian reserve. This will include bloodwork and an ultrasound to look at the ovaries. Once this has been completed, you will follow up with your provider to review results and customize a plan for your unique body.

  • An egg freezing cycle is similar to undergoing the first steps of IVF.

  • You will undergo:

    • Ovarian stimulation with injectable medications

    • Monitoring via ultrasound and blood work

    • Egg retrieval

  • All mature eggs that are retrieved will be vitrified the same day utilizing the latest cryopreservation techniques to most efficiently and effectively store your eggs for future use.

  • Retrieving eggs from your ovaries does not decrease your fertility in the future.

  • Future use of stored eggs involves: warming the eggs, fertilizing the eggs via ICSI, and creating embryos in the laboratory for future embryo transfer.