Oocyte freezing
Fertility preservation is a decision that gives you a chance, that it will be possible to start a family in the future - even in the face of oncological, genetic or autoimmune diseases or after major surgery. Thanks to modern methods, women can protect their fertility.
What is fertility preservation in women (oocyte freezing)?
Fertility preservation in women involves storing biological material until gonadotoxic treatment (which damages the ova ) has ended, or when the woman decides to become a mother, which could affect reproductive capacity. The most commonly used method is freezing (vitrification) of mature oocytes or ovarian tissue. The collection of the material takes place before the start of treatment, for example, and is then stored at very low temperatures. For couples, there is also the option of freezing embryos, which gives them more confidence that they will be able to have children when the time is right.
What are the most common reasons for securing female fertility?
Oncological diseases
In the case of cancer, treatment, such as chemotherapy or radiotherapy, can destroy ova and affect ovarian function. Oncofertility (a.k.a. oncoplasticity) avoids the permanent loss of reproductive capacity after treatment. Freezing the ova or ovarian tissue gives the patient the chance of motherhood in the future, even after the end of treatment and recovery from the disease.
Genital surgical procedures
Surgeries, such as the removal of ovaries, uterus or other reproductive organs, can affect a woman's fertility.
Diseases that can affect fertility
Many diseases can affect a woman's reproductive capacity. Such diseases include genetic, autoimmune or infectious conditions. Also endometriosis is an indication for fertility protection against further health problems.
Declining ovarian reserve - AMH
Medical indications also include atrophic ovarian reserve. The determinant of the chance of having a child is not only the biological age of the woman, but also the value of the AMH ovarian reserve. In the event of fading AMH, the chance of pregnancy decreases, which is why it is important to make patients aware that they should safeguard their procreative chances for the future.
What methods of fertility preservation (egg freezing) do we offer women at the Invimed clinic?
At the Invimed clinic, we offer a comprehensive approach to fertility preservation, tailored to the individual needs of each patient.
Methods used to preserve female fertility at the Invimed clinic?
- egg freezing;
- freezing of ovarian tissue;
- embryo freezing.
With modern methods that give women the chance to preserve their fertility for the future, we can help in situations that may affect reproductive capacity, such as cancer, surgery or other health problems. To ensure the quality of our services, we use the latest technology and the experience of our team of specialists.
In the case of oncofertility, the specialists at the Invimed clinic are prepared to act immediately. Time is of the essence in oncological treatment, which is why we have developed an action plan that allows you to start treatment almost overnight.
Egg cell freezing
Oocyte freezing is a cryopreservation method which involves the collection and subsequent storage of the collected biological material.
What is the procedure?
The woman undergoes hormonal stimulation, similar to that used during the in vitro fertilisation procedure. Hormone treatment allows more mature ova to be obtained, ready for fertilisation. Then, during the ovarian puncture procedure, the egg cells are retrieved. The egg cells are frozen using an advanced vitrification technique, which is the rapid freezing of the cells at a very low temperature.
With the oocyte vitrification method, it is possible to retain the biological activity of the oocytes and slow down the ageing process. Frozen ova can be stored for many years, even several, without significant loss of quality. When the decision is made to enlarge the family, the ova are thawed and ready to be used for in vitro fertilisation.
Ovarian tissue freezing
Ovarian tissue freezing is an advanced method of fertility preservation that involves harvesting a piece of ovarian tissue containing ovarian follicles that can be used for future fertilisation.
Unlike oocyte freezing, the ovarian tissue freezing procedure does not require hormonal stimulation. This makes it a method that can be used even in women who have not had the time or opportunity to undergo hormonal stimulation, as is the case with classic oocyte freezing. The procedure is carried out laparoscopically, i.e. through small incisions in the abdominal layers.
Once the tissue has been collected, it is frozen and stored at a very low temperature. In the future, in a cured patient, the ovarian tissue can be transplanted again. In this way, the procreative and hormonal function of the ovary can be restored.
Cryopreservation of embryos
Embryo cryopreservation is a procedure that involves storing embryos at a very low temperature as one solution for fertility preservation. This method is particularly recommended if the patient is in a stable relationship and plans to have offspring in the future. During the procedure, embryos are created after the ova are taken from the woman and fertilised with her partner's or donor's sperm. The embryos are frozen and stored under special conditions. With cryopreservation, the embryos can be used in the future when the couple decides to expand their family.
Funding for fertility preservation (ovarian tissue freezing) for oncology patients - oncopfertility
The most common indication for egg freezing in women is cancer. Cancer treatments, such as chemotherapy, radiotherapy or surgery, can have a serious impact on women's fertility. Many of these treatments lead to damage to the ovaries and other reproductive organs, which can result in difficulties conceiving a child in the future. This is why it is important to safeguard fertility even before treatment begins. For this purpose, the oncofertility procedure is used, a method that allows ova, embryos or sperm to be stored for later, when the patient's health condition allows it. At the Invimed clinic, we offer the opportunity to take advantage of a government programme that gives cancer patients non-refundable funding forfertility preservation in oncofertility. The programme includes, among other things, the freezing of ova, embryos and sperm and is fully reimbursed by the state. It is one of the key elements of the government's new IVF programme, which came into force on 1 June 2024.
How much does a female fertility preservation procedure cost?
The cost of fertility preservation in women, including the cost of oocyte freezing, depends on several factors, such as the scope of the procedure and the service package chosen. Oocyte freezing involves several key steps, including hormonal stimulation, egg collection, egg freezing and storage under specialised conditions.
In addition, the cost of freezing the ova may also include a storage fee for several years.
Cancer patients can benefit from free fertility preservation in the as part of the government's Programme for securing fertility in oncology patients under the in-vitro support programme.
How does the fertility preservation procedure work?
Qualification visit
Qualification visit
Qualification visit
During a visit to our clinic, the doctor will order the relevant tests that are required for the egg retrieval procedure.
Preparation for the collection of genetic material
Preparation for the collection of genetic material
Preparation for the collection of genetic material
Women undergo hormonal stimulation in preparation for oocyte retrieval, if this is not contraindicated for oncological reasons. Its aim is to increase the number of mature ova maturing in the woman's body. Optimally, 6 to 12 follicles mature in the ovary during stimulation. From the start of stimulation, the patient is under medical observation. The stimulation and cycle monitoring lasts from 2 to 4 weeks.
Oocyte retrieval in a woman
Oocyte retrieval in a woman
Oocyte retrieval in a woman
On the doctor-designated day of the cycle, the ova are retrieved from the woman's body during a procedure under general anaesthesia. Under ultrasound guidance, the doctor takes the follicular fluid together with the ova. The collection of ova usually takes place in the morning and the patient should be fasting. The procedure takes approximately 15 minutes.
Vitrification of gametes
Vitrification of gametes
Vitrification of gametes
After appropriate preparation of the collected genetic material in the embryology laboratory, it is frozen and placed in the reproductive cell bank at our clinic.
How to benefit from fertility preservation (egg freezing) in women at Invimed?
If you are considering fertility preservation, the first step is to consult our specialist. During your appointment, our doctor will discuss the available methods with you in detail and help you choose the one most suitable for you. This is a great opportunity to clear up any doubts and get a full understanding of the process and the options available.
Making an appointment first visit is simple and quick - you have several options to choose from:
- Fill in the form on our website by clicking the "Contact us today" button.
- In the mobile version - on a smartphone you will find the form under the 'Write' button in the bottom right-hand corner of the screen.
- Contact us by phone on 500 900 888 or visit us in person during our clinic opening hours.
Invest in your future and receive professional care at Invimed. Make an appointment today and start your journey to secure your fertility.
Pricing of the procedure: Fertility preservation
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