Fertility Care and Preservation
Services for Females

Fertility Services for Female Patients

There are many fertility preservation options available to female patients who are planning to undergo potential ovary-damaging medical treatments.

The best treatment option for each patient may differ depending on many factors, including age, pubertal status, underlying diagnosis, timeframe available prior to beginning gonadotoxic treatment, and the particular treatment the patient is scheduled to undergo. 

Currently, the only available option for pre-pubertal females is ovarian tissue freezing under an experimental protocol.

Below is a summary of options provided by the Comprehensive Fertility Care & Preservation Program. You should discuss your particular situation with your doctor to determine what the best option for you is as well as the full range of risks and benefits. 

We offer a full spectrum of fertility services for female patients, including GnRH therapy, embryo freezing, ovarian tissue freezing and ovarian transposition.

Gonadotropin Releasing Hormone (GnRH) Therapy

These injections will place your body in a “pseudo-menopausal” state that may provide protection during chemotherapy

  • Injection every 2-3 months
  • May be recommended in conjunction with other treatment options
  • May begin immediately following consultation
  • Unknown efficacy 
  • However, is known to assist with suppressing menstrual cycles during certain treatments 

 

A complete discussion of the full range of risks and benefits should be discussed with your physician.  This list is meant only to provide an outline of those most common.

  • Bleeding, hematoma or infection at injection site
  • Menstrual cycle changes
  • Menopausal related symptoms

Costs are variable based on medical coverage and are subject to change. Call for current estimates.

  • Depo-Lupron: Cost of injection dependent on medical insurance coverage
  • Risk of decreased bone mineral with extended use
  • GnRH has unknown success rates and conflicting results.

Embryo Freezing

Procedures are completed in conjunction with the University of Cincinnati Center for Reproductive Health

  • Requires stimulation of the ovaries with multiple hormonal injections to produce increased oocyte (egg) production
  • Serial ultrasounds
  • Egg retrieval under sedation
  • Sperm collection from partner

Timeframe may vary based on several factors, including time available prior to treatment, ease of ovarian stimulation and quality and number of samples collected.

  • 2-6 weeks

Success rates are variable by institution and are subject to change prior to the patient’s utilization of their embryos.

  • 35 percent live birth rate per embryo transfer

A complete discussion of the full range of risks and benefits should be discussed with your physician.  This list is meant only to provide an outline of those most common.

  • Side effects of hormonal medications used to stimulate the ovary
  • Ovarian hemorrhage
  • Pelvic infection
  • Ovarian hyperstimulation

Costs provided are an estimation to assist with discussion. These costs are variable based on medical coverage and are subject to change. Call for current estimates.

Anticipated costs:

  • Fertility consult fee (generally covered by insurance)
  • Procedure
  • Medications
  • Freezing & shipping fee
  • Storage fee
  • Labs (generally covered by insurance)
  • Uncertain future costs for use

Given ever changing scientific development, we are unable to fully describe the long-term implications or considerations for each patient. However, given where we are today, patients should consider and understand the possible future fertility interventions.

  • In vitro fertilization (IVF)
  • Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI)

Oocyte (Egg) Freezing

Procedures are completed in conjunction with the University of Cincinnati Center for Reproductive Health.

  • Requires stimulation of the ovaries with multiple hormonal injections to produce increased oocyte (egg) production
  • Serial ultrasounds
  • Egg retrieval under sedation

Timeframe may vary based on several factors, including time available prior to treatment, ease of ovarian stimulation and quality and number of samples collected.

  • 2-6 weeks

Success rates are variable by institution and are subject to change prior to the patient’s utilization of their eggs.

  • 4 percent live birth rate per oocyte / egg

A complete discussion of the full range of risks and benefits should be discussed with your physician.  This list is meant only to provide an outline of those most common.

  • Side effects of hormonal medications used to stimulate the ovary
  • Ovarian hemorrhage
  • Pelvic infection
  • Ovarian hyperstimulation

Costs are variable based on medical coverage and are subject to change. Call for current estimates.

Anticipated costs:

  • Fertility consult fee (generally covered by insurance)
  • Procedure
  • Medications (philanthropic funds available for patients with cancer)
  • Freezing & shipping fee
  • Storage fee
  • Labs (generally covered by insurance)
  • Uncertain future costs for use

Given ever-changing scientific development, we are unable to fully describe the long-term implications or considerations for each patient. However, given where we are today, patients should consider and understand the possible future fertility interventions.

  • In vitro fertilization (IVF)
  • Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI)

Ovarian Tissue Freezing (Experimental Treatment Protocol)

This is the only available preservation option for pre-pubertal girls and is also available to post-pubertal women who cannot or choose not to pursue other preservation options. This procedure is currently only available at select institutions under experimental protocol.

  • Laparoscopic procedure with three small incisions on the abdomen
  • Removal of one ovary
  • Can also be performed with an open procedure if deemed necessary by your surgeon and approved by your primary treatment team

We prefer to perform this procedure in conjunction with another previously scheduled surgery. However, it can be completed independently in necessary cases.

  • 2-3 days

Due to the novel and experimental nature of this procedure, success rates are currently not available. Science is improving rapidly and success has been found in a number of women. 

  • Unknown
  • Over 100 successful pregnancies to date

A complete discussion of the full range of risks and benefits should be discussed with your physician. This list is meant only to provide an outline of those most common

  • Procedural related bleeding
  • Post-operative infection
  • Surgical trauma / injury to adjacent organs

Costs are variable based on medical coverage and are subject to change. Call for current estimates.

Anticipated costs:

  • Hospital fee (generally covered by insurance)
  • Anesthesia fee (generally covered by insurance)
  • Surgeon fee (generally covered by insurance)
  • Transfer fee
  • Storage fee
  • Shipping fee
  • Labs (generally covered by insurance)
  • Uncertain future costs for use

Given ever-changing scientific developments, we are unable to fully describe the long-term implications or considerations for each patient. However, given where we are today, patients should consider and understand the possible future fertility interventions.

  • Possible ovarian tissue re-implantation
  • Possible in vitro fertilization (IVF)
  • Possible in vitro maturation (IVM)

Ovarian Transposition

This procedure may be considered if your treatment requires radiation therapy in or near the pelvis.

  • Laparoscopic surgery in most case
  • Surgery is performed to transfer ovaries out of the field of radiation
  • Can be completed anytime the patient is medically stable prior to radiation treatment

Success rates are variable by institution and are subject to change prior to the patient’s procedure, please discuss in detail with your physician

  • 50 percent to 90 percent reduction in radiation to the ovary
  • 30 percent to 50 percent maintenance of ovarian function
  • Unknown fertility preservation success

A complete discussion of the full range of risks and benefits should be discussed with your physician.  This list is meant only to provide an outline of those most common.

  • Procedural related bleeding
  • Post-operative infection
  • Surgical trauma / injury to adjacent organs
  • Post-operative pelvic discomfort
  • Some risk of toxic damage or metastasis to the ovaries remains (as the ovaries are not removed)

Costs are variable based on medical coverage and are subject to change. Call for current estimates.

Anticipated costs:

  • Hospital fee (generally covered by insurance)
  • Anesthesia fee (generally covered by insurance)
  • Surgeon fee (generally covered by insurance)

Given ever-changing scientific developments, we are unable to fully describe the long-term implications or considerations for each patient. However, given where we are today, patients should consider and understand the possible future fertility interventions.

  • May require repeat surgery to reposition ovaries back after treatment
  • Possible in vitro fertilization (IVF)
Contact us.

Services Available for Male Patients

Fertility Consultation & Preservation Services offers a full spectrum of fertility services for male patients, including sperm banking and testicular biopsy / freezing. Read More