Fertility preservation for medical reasons

Who it's for

• People about to start cancer treatment
• People with conditions likely to cause early menopause
• Trans and non-binary people before hormones or surgery
• Members of the armed forces before deployment

Key facts

• NICE says referral should be expedited – speed matters before treatment starts.
• Usually NHS-funded for medical reasons, depending on where you live.
• Options include egg, sperm, embryo and ovarian tissue freezing.
• Storage-only centres (often in hospitals) freeze sperm for people with cancer.

What happens

1. 1

   Urgent referral

   Ask your oncologist or GP for urgent referral to a fertility unit.

2. 2

   Fast-track cycle

   Egg or embryo freezing can often be started at any point in your cycle ('random start') to save time.

3. 3

   Freezing and storage

   Material is frozen and stored, with consent renewed every 10 years (up to 55 years).

How long it takes: Egg freezing takes around 2 weeks; sperm freezing can be done in a day.

Success rates

• Depends on age and what's frozen. Your clinic should give you personalised information.

Each clinic's published rates – compared with the UK average – are on its profile in the clinic finder.

Costs

Often NHS-funded. Privately, see egg and sperm freezing prices.

NHS funding

• Fertility preservation for medical reasons is commonly NHS-funded, but criteria (e.g. age, children) vary by area.

Risks and side effects

• Stimulation may need adjusting for hormone-sensitive cancers – your team will advise.