For some patients, fertility preservation is considered medically necessary if they have not yet had the chance to start or complete their family, and require treatment or medication that can cause impairment or loss of fertility. For example, fertility preservation may be considered medically necessary with individuals who are starting gender-affirming treatment. Fertility preservation can also be medically necessary with adolescents or adults undergoing treatment who may experience infertility as a side effect of chemotherapy or pelvic radiation. In anticipation of these outcomes, patients are encouraged to consider the option of freezing sperm, eggs, or embryos before starting treatment.
Ideally, fertility preservation should be discussed as early as possible when planning any sort of potentially fertility-compromising treatment. If you are receiving or have received fertility-compromising treatment, it may still be possible to pursue fertility preservation but each situation needs to be assessed individually. A care provider must send us a referral so we can discuss all available options. When required, we can expedite referrals for sperm banking and for those wanting to receive a medical consultation to discuss their medical and cancer-associated fertility risks.