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Fertility preservation at TFP Fertility
Whatever your circumstances, fertility preservation allows you to safeguard your future. Though we cannot guarantee a successful future pregnancy, preserving your fertility provides the reassurance you need to try for a family at a time that works for you.
Here's everything you need to know about preserving your fertility.
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What is fertility preservation?
Preserving your fertility means collecting, freezing and storing your eggs, sperm or embryos for future fertility treatment.
As you age, so do your eggs and sperm. For females, not only does your ovarian reserve decline but the quality of your eggs does too. Preserving them now can give you more options for starting a family further down the line.
Preserving your fertility doesn't guarantee a future pregnancy. However, it does let you try treatment at a time that is right for you.
How does fertility preservation work?
Preserving your fertility is more straightforward than you may think. The process of collection depends on whether you're freezing eggs or sperm.
If you're freezing your eggs, you'll need to undergo a partial IVF cycle to stimulate and collect your eggs.
If you're freezing your sperm, you'll need to provide a semen sample or undergo a surgical procedure to collect it.
Your eggs or sperm are then frozen using a flash freezing technique called vitrification and safely stored until you're ready to use them.
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Types of preservation
There are several methods for preserving your fertility and what you decide to freeze will depend on your personal circumstances. At TFP Fertility, we help individuals, couples and co-parents safeguard their future by freezing eggs, sperm and embryos.
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Egg freezing
To freeze your eggs, you'll need to undergo a partial IVF cycle. This includes a short course of hormone medication to stimulate egg growth followed by an egg collection procedure under mild sedation.
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Sperm freezing
Sperm freezing is the most successful method for preserving a man's fertility. You'll need to provide a semen sample (either at our clinic or at home) which is tested for infectious diseases before freezing.
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Embryo freezing
Embryos withstand the freezing and thawing process better than eggs and sperm. If you're in a position to have embryos created - either with a partner or co-parent or the help of a donor - then we recommend doing so.
Who can benefit from fertility preservation?
Preserving your fertility isn't as scary as you might think it is. Perhaps you've thought about it in the past but you're still unsure if it's the right choice for you.
It's important to know that you're not alone in this and there are several reasons why you may wish to freeze your eggs, sperm or embryos.
These include:
Preserving your fertility for the future
Lots of individuals come to us knowing that one day they wish to start a family, however, their circumstances mean they are either not financially or emotionally ready, there are other things they want to achieve beforehand, or they simply haven’t met the right partner.
Find out more about preserving your fertility for the future.
Preserving your fertility for medical reasons
Polycystic ovary syndrome, endometriosis, uterine fibroids, as well as other health problems, can affect fertility in women.
Likewise, treatments such as chemotherapy, radiotherapy and hormone therapy can affect a person’s fertility, particularly when receiving high doses.
Preserving your fertility as a trans person
If you're having (or about to have) gender-affirming treatment, then it's worth thinking about your future fertility options.
We recommend preserving your fertility before your gender-affirming treatment begins, however, it may still be possible to preserve your fertility after.
This does mean postponing or temporarily stopping hormone treatment, which can be a difficult decision.
Find out more about preserving your fertility as a trans or non-binary person.
Preserving your fertility as a couple
One in seven couples in the UK will face challenges in getting pregnant and fertility issues can affect both men and women.
If you're in a relationship and both of you know you'd like to try for a baby later in life, you have the option to have embryos created through an IVF procedure and frozen and stored for future use.
Find out more about preserving your fertility as a couple.
Preserving your fertility as a member of the armed forces
If you’re in the Armed Forces or working a job deemed as “hazardous” you may wish to preserve your fertility due to the increased risk of injury or exposure to harmful chemicals or illnesses.
How much does fertility preservation cost?
The cost of preserving your fertility will vary depending on whether you're freezing your eggs, sperm or embryos.
You can see a breakdown of the typical costs below:
Step one: Fertility assessment
AMH blood test and ultrasound scan for females... £460
Semen analysis for males... £195
Step two: Freezing cycle
Embryo freezing... £5610
Egg freezing... £4300
Sperm freezing... £650
Step three: Storage
Annual storage fee... £350
For egg and embryo freezing, the medication you require will be an additional cost. Any other additional services you may need will be discussed during your consultation.
You can find a detailed price list for all treatments and procedures on your chosen TFP Fertility clinic page.
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How successful is fertility preservation?
Around 90% of frozen eggs and embryos survive the thawing process and go on to be used in fertility treatments. We estimate that around 50% of frozen sperm will survive the process.
However, it's important to know that this still doesn't guarantee a successful pregnancy and your success with fertility treatment is dependent on several factors.
Most important is the age you are when you preserve your fertility, particularly for women, as your eggs are healthiest during your teenage years and throughout your twenties.
We'll discuss these factors with you during your consultation, including how you might benefit from preserving your fertility and how delaying parenthood could impact your chances of success.
You can also find a breakdown of our success rates for IVF per age group on your chosen TFP Fertility clinic's page.
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Learn more about your fertility
Join our in-person or online events hosted by fertility experts to learn about our treatments and get your questions answered in a safe space.
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Fertility preservation resources
Preserving your fertility is a big decision and financial commitment no matter your circumstances. We're here to help guide you on your journey so you can make the right decision for you.
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How old do you have to be to freeze your eggs?
Everything you need to know about the recommended age for freezing your eggs to ensure optimal success later on.
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Does birth control make you infertile?
Everything you need to know about the temporary effects birth control has on your fertility.
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What are the warning signs of infertility?
The signs and symptoms to look out for that may suggest there is a problem with your fertility and when to see a doctor.
Fertility preservation FAQs
How long can I freeze my eggs or sperm for?
Eggs, sperm and embryos can now be stored for up to 55 years from the date they were first placed in storage. You must renew your consent every 10 years.
We’ll reach out when your renewal date is approaching so you don't need to worry about missing it.
How long will it take to freeze my eggs?
To freeze your eggs, you must undergo a partial IVF cycle. The egg freezing part of this process can typically take up to three weeks. This includes the time you will need to take hormone medication to stimulate your egg growth and the monitoring scans you will have to determine when your egg retrieval is carried out.
What decisions do I need to make about my eggs or sperm?
Before treatment commences, you'll need to complete consent forms that specify how you want your eggs or sperm to be used.
This includes:
- How long you want your eggs or sperm to be stored for (you can store them for a maximum of 55 years. You'll need to renew your consent to storage every 10 years)
- What should happen to your sperm or eggs if you were to die or become unable to make decisions for yourself
- Whether the eggs or sperm are to be used in your treatment only or whether they can be donated to someone else for treatment or training purposes
Should I freeze eggs or embryos?
Ultimately, the decision is yours. If you're a single individual preserving your fertility, freezing your eggs is the best option.
However, if you're in a committed relationship or have someone in you're life you'd like to co-parent with, we would recommend having embryos created and frozen. This is because embryos survive the thawing process better than eggs.
What happens when I want to use my eggs or sperm?
When you're ready to use your eggs or sperm they will be thawed and prepared for treatment.
Eggs that have been frozen must be fertilised using a procedure called ICSI (intracytoplasmic injection) where a single sperm is injected directly into the egg.
This is necessary because the freezing process makes the outer coating around the egg harder, and sperm may not be able to penetrate it using the conventional IVF method.
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