Fertility Preservation

Because the right time is yours to decide.

Fertility changes over time. As you age, the number and quality of your eggs naturally decline. Sperm can also be affected by certain medical treatments or health conditions. Preserving your fertility means taking action today to keep your options open for the future, whether that future is two years away or ten. The decision to freeze your eggs or sperm is deeply personal. It may be prompted by a medical diagnosis unrelated to fertility, by life circumstances that have not yet aligned with your plans for parenthood, or simply by the desire to give yourself more time to choose.

Who should consider fertility preservation?

Fertility preservation is appropriate for a wide range of individuals, which is exactly what makes it such an important service.
For medical reasons, fertility preservation is strongly recommended for people who are about to undergo chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or pelvic surgery that may affect the ovaries or testicles. These treatments can significantly impact future fertility. Preserving eggs or sperm before cancer treatment begins helps protect your reproductive options before any damage occurs. In some cases, fertility preservation is covered by RAMQ, including for certain medical treatments such as those mentioned above. Fertility preservation may also be appropriate for people living with autoimmune diseases requiring gonadotoxic treatments, for those whose fertility assessment reveals a significantly diminished ovarian reserve, and for transgender individuals who wish to preserve their eggs or sperm before starting hormone therapy or undergoing gender-affirming surgery.
For personal or social reasons, egg freezing has become an increasingly popular option for women who want to preserve their future reproductive options without feeling pressured by time. Whether a life partner has not yet come along, personal or professional circumstances are not yet aligned with parenthood, or they simply want more freedom to decide when the time is right, fertility preservation can provide greater peace of mind and flexibility for the future.

How does egg freezing work?

Egg freezing is now a well-established and reliable procedure. It begins with the same initial steps as an IVF cycle: ovarian stimulation, careful monitoring, and egg retrieval. The difference is that, instead of being fertilized immediately, the eggs are frozen and stored until you are ready to use them.

1. Fertility assessment

Before treatment begins, a fertility assessment is performed to evaluate your ovarian reserve, including an Anti-Müllerian Hormone (AMH) blood test and an antral follicle count (AFC) ultrasound. These results help predict how your ovaries are likely to respond to stimulation and allow your physician to tailor the treatment protocol to maximize the number of eggs retrieved.

2. Ovarian Stimulation

For 8 to 14 days, you will receive hormone injections to stimulate your ovaries to produce multiple mature follicles at the same time. Regular ultrasound examinations and blood tests allow your care team to monitor your response and adjust your medication as needed. The goal is to retrieve as many eggs as possible while ensuring your safety throughout the process.

3. Trigger injection and egg retrieval

Once the follicles have reached the desired level of maturity, a trigger injection is administered. Approximately 36 hours later, the eggs are retrieved during a procedure performed under light sedation in our on-site operating room. The procedure typically takes 15 to 20 minutes, and you can return home the same day.

4. Vitrification

The follicular fluid collected during the egg retrieval procedure is transferred to our embryologists, who carefully identify and isolate the eggs. Once retrieved, the eggs are vitrified using an ultra-rapid freezing technique that prevents the formation of ice crystals that could damage the cells. They are then stored in liquid nitrogen at -196°C in our laboratory until you are ready to use them.

5. Storage and future use

Your eggs can be safely stored for many years. When you are ready to use them, they will be thawed, fertilized in the laboratory using your partner’s sperm or donor sperm, and the resulting embryo(s) will be transferred according to the treatment plan recommended by your fertility specialist.

How does sperm freezing work?

Sperm freezing is a simple, quick, and non-invasive procedure. It can usually be arranged within a few days and does not require any complex medical preparation.

1. SAMPLE COLLECTION The semen sample is collected by masturbation into a sterile container, typically in a private collection room at the clinic. In some cases, the sample may be collected at home, provided the transportation time meets the clinic’s requirements.
2. SEMEN ANALYSIS The sample is analyzed immediately after collection. Sperm concentration and motility are assessed to ensure the sample is suitable for cryopreservation and future use.
3. PREPARATION AND CRYOPRESERVATION The sample is mixed with a cryoprotective solution that helps protect sperm cells during the freezing process. It is then divided into cryopreservation containers, allowing for safe, precise storage and future use.
4. FREEZING AND STORAGE The containers are cooled in a controlled manner and then stored in liquid nitrogen at -196°C. Sperm can remain cryopreserved for many years without significant loss of quality, making this a reliable option for preserving future fertility.

Q: How many eggs should be frozen?

A: There is no universal number. It depends on your age, your ovarian reserve, and your family-building goals. In general, freezing a larger number of eggs increases the likelihood of a successful pregnancy in the future. Your fertility specialist will provide a realistic estimate based on your individual profile and discuss whether more than one egg-freezing cycle may be recommended to help you achieve your goals.

Q: How long can gametes be stored?

Eggs and sperm can be stored for many years. The storage terms, including duration, renewal process, and annual fees, will be clearly explained to you before treatment begins, with no surprises.

Q: What is the quality of eggs after thawing?

A: Vitrification is now the worldwide standard method for egg freezing. Egg survival rates after thawing are high, and the chances of pregnancy depend primarily on the age at which the eggs were frozen. This is why preserving fertility earlier, when ovarian reserve is still optimal, is often the key recommendation.

Q: What is the best age to freeze your eggs?

A: Earlier is generally better, as both egg quantity and quality decline with age. Outcomes are typically better when eggs are frozen before the age of 35, but this does not mean that egg freezing after this age is not beneficial. Your physician will assess your ovarian reserve and provide an honest perspective on what you can realistically expect.

Q: Is gamete freezing covered by RAMQ?

A: For individuals whose fertility may be affected by a medical treatment, such as chemotherapy or radiation therapy, partial coverage may be available. For egg or sperm freezing for personal or social reasons, costs are generally the patient’s responsibility. Our team can review the costs with you before treatment begins.

Don't let time decide for you.