Fertility Preservation
Fertility preservation involves freezing your eggs, sperm or embryos as a method to preserve fertility and provide you with choices for the future to help you to have a family.
Who can freeze eggs or sperm?
Fertility preservation is available for women and men who wish to preserve their fertility. There are several reasons an individual may wish to freeze their eggs or sperm including:
- medical e.g. prior to starting oncology treatment, chemotherapy or gender reassignment
- occupational e.g. high risk occupations such as military or long periods of overseas work
- social e.g. advanced maternal age/no male partner or prior to vasectomy
- prior to transitioning
- other e.g. low sperm count, ejaculatory dysfunction, after vasectomy reversal
Oncology or alternative medical procedures
If you have been diagnosed with cancer or require an invasive medical procedure then it is advisable to explore options to preserve your fertility if you have not completed your family. This is because some treatments, such as chemotherapy and radiotherapy, can affect your fertility. If you have recently been diagnosed with cancer or require a procedure which could affect your fertility, fertility preservation should be offered to you by your specialist and you may want to consider freezing your eggs, sperm (or embryos if you are in a relationship). As the effects of the treatment that you may have on your fertility are uncertain and the period of infertility is variable, it is recommended that you consider freezing before treatment begins.
Fertility preservation funding is offered by some Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs). This depends on where you live and can be clarified with the Consultant at Hull & East Riding Fertility. Please talk to your Consultant/GP if you wish to be referred for fertility preservation and have not already been given this opportunity. A chat with a fertility nurse can be really beneficial for you and will give you an opportunity to explore your options.
By storing your gametes (sperm or eggs) or embryos, this provides you with an option, should your fertility have been affected by your treatment, to attend the clinic for a cycle of IVF treatment at a time that is suitable for you.
Referring a Patient
If you are a clinician wishing to refer a patient for Fertility Preservation treatment – please use the below form and return it to the clinic via email – enquiries@hullfertility.co.uk. Please title the email “Urgent Fertility Preservation Referral”.
If you are referring a male patient for fertillity preservation, it’s important that you also call us on 01482 689040 to inform the team that a referral of this nature has been made.
Fertility Preservation From for Medical Professionals
Support groups and more information
Macmillan http://be.macmillan.org.uk/Downloads/RegionalCS/MAC14121HumberYorkshireCoast.pdf Macmillan provide support for all types of cancer and work in partnership with groups and charities in the local area.
Fertility Network UK https://fertilitynetworkuk.org/events/fertility-support-group-hull/ FNUK is a fertility charity for anyone experiencing fertility problems. There is an informal volunteer led support group that meets once a month.
NHS https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/cancer/ It is recommended by the HFEA to read the NHS choices website on how cancer can affect your fertility.
Gender reassignment
Undergoing treatment for gender reassignment is a treatment that can result in a complete loss of fertility. Sperm, egg or embryo banking is a method to preserve fertility and to provide you with choices for the future.
Hull & East Riding Fertility is a safe and understanding environment which provides information, guidance and counselling for those people considering whether fertility preservation is the right choice.
You are advised to consider preserving your eggs, sperm (or embryos if you are in a relationship), as hormone treatment or reconstructive surgery can affect your fertility. Fertility preservation is offered by some Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs) to transgender people. This depends on where you live and can be clarified with the Consultant.
We offer fertility preservation to both trans-female and trans-male people where your gametes (sperm or eggs) or embryos will be retrieved and preserved. This provides you with an option to come to the Unit to use them in a cycle of IVF treatment at a time that is suitable for you in the future.
Support groups and more information
HFEA https://www.hfea.gov.uk/treatments/fertility-preservation/information-for-trans-and-non-binary-people-seeking-fertility-treatment/ The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority regulate fertility treatment in the UK. They have an information page with common frequently asked questions.
Trans peer support group Hull http://www.lgbtconsortium.org.uk/directory/tpsg-hull-trans-peer-support-group-service-users A local support group providing guidance and support to those 18 years and older both in a group setting and in private.
Stonewall https://www.stonewall.org.uk/ Britain’s leading charity for lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans equality. They have downloadable guides for those wishing to start a family.
Armed forces and high risk occupations
If you are in the British Armed Forces it is advisable to consider freezing your eggs, sperm or embryos before deployment to preserve your fertility in case you get injured in the line of duty. This provides you with the opportunity to access treatment at the IVF Unit should you need it and have a family in the future.
To access treatment we require a referral from your Medical Officer or GP. In some circumstances the IVF Unit can accept a self-referral. You may be asked to privately fund in order to store your gametes or embryos, however this is subject to individual case review.
Elective egg or sperm freezing
We are now pleased to offer elective freezing of sperm or eggs. If you would like to discuss elective (social) egg or sperm freezing, including if you would like detailed information about the costs, please contact us directly at the Clinic. Alternatively, you may wish to use the online booking to arrange a Consultation with one of our Subfertility Specialists.
If you would like to speak to someone in the fertility team about any aspect of your fertility, whether it is for further information or support, please contact us. Alternatively, if you would like to speak to a counsellor independent of the fertility team, this can be arranged by contacting the clinic.
Page Last Modified: 15th May 2024