Fertility Preservation Programme
Fertility preservation is one of modern reproductive medicine’s clearest wins — when it is offered at the right time.
In short — Fertility preservation stores eggs, embryos or ovarian tissue for later use. It is considered before gonadotoxic treatment, before surgery that may reduce ovarian reserve, or when childbearing is being deferred. Outcomes depend heavily on age at freezing, and storing is not the same as a future pregnancy.
Egg freezing for age-related decline, embryo freezing for partnered patients, ovarian tissue cryopreservation for selected oncology patients — each has well-defined indications and outcomes. The decision is rarely between “preserve” and “don’t preserve”; it is “when”. We discuss the question honestly, with realistic numbers about how many eggs need to be frozen for what age and what future plan.
Our approach to fertility preservation
Every patient considering fertility preservation receives a structured counselling session covering ovarian reserve assessment, expected egg yield per cycle for their age and AMH, the number of eggs typically needed for a reasonable chance of one live birth at the planned future age, and the realistic costs and timeline. No patient signs up for preservation without understanding what it does and doesn’t guarantee.
Egg freezing for age
For women in their early-to-mid thirties planning to delay pregnancy, egg freezing offers meaningful protection — but is most effective when done before 35 and ideally before AMH has declined significantly. We discuss the trade-offs (more cycles needed at older ages, lower expected outcomes per egg as age advances) frankly. Marketing campaigns suggesting “freeze your eggs, freeze your future” oversimplify a more nuanced decision. What the process involves, how many eggs a given age typically needs, and what the numbers do and do not promise are covered in what to know before freezing eggs, while egg freezing in Ahmedabad sets out how the cycle runs here.
Embryo freezing
For partnered patients, embryo freezing offers higher per-unit outcomes than egg freezing — frozen embryos thaw and transfer with better expected results than frozen eggs do. The trade-off is the legal and practical implications of frozen embryos belonging to a couple.
Oncofertility
For patients facing gonadotoxic cancer treatment, fertility preservation before treatment is one of the most important conversations in their care. We coordinate with oncology colleagues, with cycle timelines compressed where necessary, to give every patient a fair chance at future fertility regardless of treatment plans. The specific pathway before cancer treatment, and how urgently it has to be arranged, is covered in fertility preservation before cancer treatment.
Who should consider fertility preservation
The question is worth raising early in several situations:
- Before cancer treatment. Chemotherapy, pelvic radiotherapy and some cancer surgery can reduce or end ovarian function. Fertility preservation should be discussed with every woman of reproductive age before such treatment starts, and it is time-sensitive: an egg-freezing cycle usually needs about two weeks from the first injection.
- Before ovarian surgery for endometriosis. Surgery for endometriomas can reduce ovarian reserve, particularly when both ovaries are involved, when surgery is repeated, or when AMH is already low. Freezing eggs before surgery is worth discussing in these situations, although its true benefit for any one woman is still uncertain [Source: ESHRE Endometriosis guideline, 2022]. See endometriosis and fertility.
- A higher risk of early ovarian insufficiency. For example, a family history of early menopause, Turner syndrome (particularly mosaic forms), BRCA1/2 carriers planning risk-reducing removal of the ovaries, or an autoimmune condition that needs gonadotoxic treatment.
- Low ovarian reserve for age. A newly found low AMH is a reason to talk about options sooner rather than later, while the ovaries still respond to stimulation, with honest expectations about how many eggs a cycle is likely to yield.
- Planned delay. For women not planning a pregnancy yet, outcomes are best when eggs are frozen in the late twenties to mid-thirties. Freezing earlier means better eggs, but a lower chance that they will ever be needed.
How each option works
Egg freezing (oocyte cryopreservation). Around 7–12 days of hormone injections, then egg collection under sedation as a day-care procedure; the mature eggs are frozen by vitrification. No partner or sperm is needed. When the eggs are used, they are warmed and fertilised, usually by ICSI, and an embryo is transferred. For most people considering preservation, this is the default option — see egg freezing in Ahmedabad.
Embryo freezing. The same stimulation and egg collection, but the eggs are fertilised straight away with partner or donor sperm, and the embryos are frozen, usually at the blastocyst stage (day 5 or 6). Outcomes per frozen embryo are well established; the trade-off is that the decision about sperm has to be made at the time of freezing.
Ovarian tissue freezing. A piece of ovarian tissue is removed by keyhole surgery and frozen. It is the only option before puberty, and an option when cancer treatment cannot wait for a stimulation cycle; the tissue can later be re-implanted to restore ovarian function. It is offered in selected cases, in centres with specific oncofertility expertise.
Egg and embryo freezing by vitrification are established techniques, not experimental ones [Source: ASRM Practice Committee; ESHRE Female Fertility Preservation guideline, 2020]. Most eggs survive warming in an experienced laboratory, but survival is not the same as a baby: the chance of a live birth depends mainly on age at freezing and the number of eggs stored.
Fertility preservation topics
Guidelines we follow
- ESHRE Guideline on Female Fertility Preservation
- ASRM Practice Committee opinions on fertility preservation
- Oncofertility consortium standards
Fertility preservation options
| Option | For whom |
|---|---|
| Egg freezing | Before surgery, with age, or medical reasons |
| Embryo freezing | When you have a partner |
| Ovarian tissue freezing | Selected cases (e.g. cancer) |
Where this fits
Fertility preservation overlaps with evaluation and may intersect with endometriosis fertility planning. For surrounding cycle decisions, see the IVF process.
For a specialist consultation, contact Balaji Horizon Women’s Hospital.
WhatsApp the hospital · +91 97234 31544 · Science City Road, Ahmedabad 380060
Fertility preservation should be offered to all patients facing treatments that may compromise reproductive potential (oncology, autoimmune cytotoxic therapy, gonadal surgery) where medically appropriate.
CONTINUE READING
Explore the IVF Programme
Fertility Preservation is one element of the broader IVF and fertility programme. The main IVF pillar covers the complete reproductive medicine framework.
Comparison
Egg freezing – approximate eggs needed for ~70% chance of one future live birth
| Age at freezing | Approximate eggs to bank | Likely cycles needed | Considerations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under 35 | 10–15 mature eggs | Often 1 cycle | Best biological window. Lower drug load. |
| 35–37 | 15–20 mature eggs | 1–2 cycles | Decision window is closing. Plan with realistic expectations. |
| 38–39 | 25–30 mature eggs | 2–3 cycles | Substantial decline. Discuss whether the investment matches the realistic chance. |
| 40–42 | 30+ mature eggs | 3+ cycles | Diminishing returns. Honest conversation about donor egg as alternative. |
| Over 42 (own eggs) | Variable, low yield | Multiple | Donor egg pathway typically more effective. Decision should be made with the realistic numbers in hand. |
Decision Tree
Medical or elective – the indication shapes the conversation
Fertility preservation looks similar from outside but very different from inside, depending on the reason.
A
Medical indication
Cancer treatment (chemotherapy/radiation), severe endometriosis facing repeat ovarian surgery, BRCA1/2 mutation considering risk-reducing oophorectomy, autoimmune disease starting gonadotoxic therapy. Strongly indicated when stimulation can be delayed by 2–3 weeks safely.
B
Elective – anticipated delay
Late 20s to mid-30s, no partner or not ready to start a family, preserving options. Outcomes are best under 35; the conversation should be honest about the age curve and realistic numbers per cycle.
C
During an IVF cycle
Freezing additional eggs or embryos for future siblings. Often the most straightforward indication – incremental to a planned cycle.
“Fertility preservation does not promise a future pregnancy. It preserves a choice that biology would otherwise close.”
Our fertility preservation philosophy
Free Patient Guide
The Fertility Preservation Primer
What egg freezing actually is, who it helps, and how to decide. Honest age-stratified numbers, realistic costs, and questions to ask in your consultation.
Reviewed by Dr. Priyadatt Patel — read in 20–25 minutes
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Dr Patel leads fertility care at Balaji Horizon, integrating reproductive surgery and IVF into a single plan — ethical, evidence-based and individualised, with realistic expectations and no overpromising of success.
Individualised IVF and fertility planning with honest, evidence-based counselling — and realistic expectations from the very first consultation.
Dr. Priyadatt Patel
Senior Gynecologist · Advanced Laparoscopic Surgeon · IVF and Endometriosis Programme Lead
MS OBGyn · Pregnancy Care · Advanced Gynaecological Ultrasound · Fertility Preservation
ESHRE / ESGE / AAGL / ASRM guideline-aligned practice. 3D Karl Storz precision technique. Fertility-preservation-first philosophy. Evidence-based decisions, honest counselling, long-term outcomes orientation.
Science City Road, Ahmedabad 380060
Mon–Sat 11:00–20:00 · +91 97234 31544
Naranpura, Ahmedabad
Mon–Sat 08:30–10:30 · +91 70460 02566
