Oocyte Cryopreservation
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Español: PDF
The radiation therapy and chemotherapy that are used to treat cancer and blood disorders can sometimes cause problems with fertility, making it harder or impossible to have a baby later in life. “Fertility” means the ability to get pregnant or make somebody pregnant to have biological children. Sometimes there are things you can do before you start treatment to make having a baby more likely in the future. This is called “fertility preservation.”
Your care team will talk with you about how likely it is for your treatment to affect your ovaries and fertility. They can help set you up with an appointment with the fertility preservation team to discuss possible ways to preserve your fertility.
One method of fertility preservation is called oocyte cryopreservation. This is when you freeze and store some of your eggs. This is an option for people who have started having periods.
How are eggs collected?
This involves taking hormones to make your ovary mature and release multiple eggs (ovulate). Then a procedure is done to remove your eggs. The eggs are frozen and later, when you are ready to have a baby, sperm can be used to fertilize the eggs.
When do I need to freeze my eggs?
Preserving eggs takes at least 2 weeks to finish before you start treatment. This is how long it takes for the hormones to make you ovulate.
It is best to freeze eggs before treatment starts, but sometimes it is not safe to delay treatment for 2 weeks to complete the process. In some cases, egg collection can be done after you finish treatment or between treatments.
Where do I go?
There is more than one reproductive clinic in Seattle that freezes eggs. The fertility preservation team can help you take needed steps to make arrangements with the clinic that is best for you.
How much does it cost?
It costs money to collect the eggs and store them. The fertility preservation team and reproductive clinic will talk to you and your parents or caregivers about how much it will cost. They can also tell you about financial assistance that may be able to help reduce the cost.
Where are my eggs stored?
Most commonly, eggs are stored at a long-term storage facility for reproductive materials called ReproTech.
Who can use my eggs?
Only you. You can talk with the fertility preservation team more about this, but you are always in charge of your stored eggs. The reproductive clinic will also talk to you about what will happen to the eggs you have stored if anything happens to you or if you do not need them in the future.
What happens when I am ready to use my eggs?
When you are ready to build your family, you will work with a fertility specialist to determine what is best for you. You can call the long-term storage company where your eggs are stored and they will help arrange getting your eggs.
What are the next steps if I want to move forward?
If you think you want to freeze your eggs, tell your care team. They will help decide if this is possible and safe for you. Then, you will talk to someone from the fertility preservation team who can answer your questions and help you take the needed steps to move forward.
To Learn More
- Cancer and Blood Disorders Center
206-987-2106 - Ask your child’s healthcare provider
- seattlechildrens.org/patient-education
Free Interpreter Services
- In the hospital, ask your nurse.
- From outside the hospital, call the toll-free Family Interpreting Line, 1-866-583-1527. Tell the interpreter the name or extension you need.
