When is freezing either sperm or egg cells recommended?

• Prior to surgery in the testicular or prostate areas, including vasectomy
• Before leaving for military service
• Engaged in occupations that put fertility at risk, such as with environmental toxins, X-rays, or danger-prone conditions
• Haven't yet decided on a partner with which to have children
• The time is just not yet right for parenthood

Why would someone consider egg freezing instead of embryos?

• Ethical or religion-based concerns about freezing multi-celled embryos, as opposed to single cells
• Desire to preserve healthy eggs, yet delay fertilization until the right male partner or donor sperm is chosen
• Limit the time and expense incurred by adding fertilization and embryo culture to the fertility preservation process

I've been diagnosed with cancer and need chemotherapy but still want to have children later. Am I a viable candidate for egg or sperm freezing?

• Yes, those life saving treatments may render you unable to get pregnant in the future. Thanks to cryopreservation, you may fulfill your dream of parenthood once you're well again.
• For detailed information on the reproductive risks of various chemotherapies and radiation treatments, see the Risk Calculator page at Fertile Hope.org. Your oncologist and reproductive specialist will work as a team to guide you in making the decision.

What risks am I taking by freezing my eggs?

• The eggs your ovaries produce may not survive the freeze/thaw process.
• Eggs that are successfully thawed may not fertilize adequately.
• Transferred embryos may not implant and create a pregnancy.

The first successful pregnancy in the United States from a frozen egg occurred in 1997. By now, studies of embryos from frozen egg cells have demonstrated no increased rates of aneuploidy (chromosomal abnormality) or malformations, and children born have been found to develop normally.

References:
American Society for Reproductive Medicine "Essential elements of informed consent for elective oocyte cryopreservation: A practice committee opinion," Fertil Steril Dec. 2007: 88(6) p.1495-1496.

Genetics and health of children born from cryopreserved oocytes
I. Tur-Kaspa, M. Gal, A. Horwitz Fertility and Sterility - September 2007 (Vol. 88, Page S14, DOI: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2007.07.065)