Life can get unpredictable, and with that, plans for having kids may have to be postponed or altered for a while. Thankfully, during these modern times, there are a lot of assisting technologies that can help couples have more control and more chances at having children, even if it does happen later than originally planned or if a woman or man changes their mind regarding not having/having more children.

Whether it’s the woman or the man that needs a fertility preservation option, and regardless if it’s the couple’s first child or if it’s their third, couples must be aware of the different options they have in preserving their fertility, how they’re done, and in what situations they’re best for.

It is known that the number of eggs in a woman’s ovarian reserve naturally decreases as she grows older, especially after the age of 35 wherein egg quality also significantly lowers. Cryopreservation of eggs extracted when the woman is younger and at a more optimal age (reproductively speaking) helps to ensure that conceiving won’t be difficult later on.

It is also possible that the woman may anticipate having to go through a medical treatment such as chemotherapy that could impede her ability to produce eggs in the future. It could also be that the woman may choose to undergo a ligation procedure sometime soon. 

For men, meanwhile, although sperm quality, quantity, and motility do not lower significantly as he ages, matters such as blockages along the reproductive tract and regular exxinposure to tos in the environment such as their workplace have great impact on their sperm’s ability to fertilize an egg. A lot of cases of male factor infertility are actually due to sperm simply not being able to reach the ejaculate.

Should there be difficulty detecting sperm in their semen, procedures such as testicular sperm extraction can be done before the freezing process. This is particularly helpful for men who are unable to ejaculate, experience sexual dysfunction, plan to undergo a vasectomy, or medical treatments such as chemotherapy. It is also a viable option for couples with a living situation that requires the man to be away for extended periods of time. 

It is also possible to freeze an already formed embryo as well, and it has been proven that babies born out of thawed embryos are just as healthy as those who are “freshly” conceived. This option is very useful for couples who are planning to have children via in vitro fertilization and are expecting to want more children in the future through the same procedure.  

Embryo freezing allows couples to skip having to go through the entire process which includes individual acquisition of the egg and sperm which helps cut cost and makes things more convenient. 

Whether for personal or medical reasons, freezing these cryopreservation option allows both partners peace of mind knowing that their ability to have children in the future won’t be affected by any major life decisions such as a medical treatment or a ligation/vasectomy.  

As always, however, it is crucial that careful consideration is done when deciding on these options, which is why consultation should be done before anything else. Talk to your fertility specialist today and explore what’s best for you. 

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