Protecting your future by preserving fertility when medically necessary

When preparing for medical treatment, our expert team at Mount Sinai Fertility, part of Sinai Health, is here to help preserve your ability to have children in the future.

Fertility preservation includes options such as freezing eggs, sperm, embryos or reproductive tissue. These options can help you build your family later in life.
Therapies that may affect your fertility include:

  • Chemotherapy
  • Radiation
  • Surgery on reproductive organs
  • Gender affirming therapy or procedures

We’re home to the largest fertility preservation program in Ontario, with more than 30 years of excellence in reproductive care, research and innovation.

Medically Indicated Fertility Preservation

What we do

  • Urgent fertility preservation — both consultation and treatment — for time-sensitive medical issues
  • Medically necessary fertility preservation
  • Ontario’s only clinic offering ovarian tissue cryopreservation (freezing)

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Treatment for adults

We offer a range of fertility preservation options for people with ovaries or testes.

For people with ovaries

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Egg freezing (urgent or medically necessary)

This preserves your eggs before medical treatment or therapies, so you can use them for future family building. It involves short-term hormone stimulation to help mature multiple follicles (which contain eggs). The eggs are retrieved, then frozen. Your eggs can be safely stored for many years.

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Embryo freezing

This procedure preserves fertilized eggs. After a short stimulation cycle, eggs are retrieved, fertilized in the lab using partner or donor sperm, and frozen as embryos for future pregnancy.

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Ovarian tissue cryopreservation

This is an option when hormone stimulation isn’t possible. This may be the case for children, adolescents or adults who need urgent medical treatment. Ovarian tissue can be retrieved anywhere in Ontario and across Canada, then transported to Mount Sinai Fertility through our Ovarian Tissue Transportation Program, expanding access to specialized fertility preservation care.

Here’s how the process works:

  • Step 1: One ovary is removed surgically
  • Step 2: The ovary is transported to Mount Sinai Fertility
  • Step 3: It is processed by an expert team in the embryology lab
  • Step 4 :The ovary is frozen and can be stored for many years
    • The tissue can be later transplanted back into the pelvis to restore hormones and potential fertility
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Timeline

Most urgent treatments start within a few days.

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Success

Age-dependent. We'll help you understand what to expect.

For people with testes

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Sperm banking

Sperm banking preserves fertility before medical treatment or hormone therapy begins. Sperm is collected, frozen and stored for future use. It is fast, non-invasive and often completed within a few days of referral.

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Testicular sperm extraction (TESE)

This is a minor surgical procedure to retrieve sperm directly from the testicles when none is found in the semen sample. This is performed by a urologist. Frozen sperm can later be used with in vitro fertilization (IVF) to achieve pregnancy.

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Timeline

Often within one to two days.

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Success

Depends on sperm quality and the age of the partner.

Treatment for children and adolescents

We provide compassionate, age-appropriate care for children and adolescents facing cancer or medical treatments that may affect fertility.

For young people with ovaries

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Egg freezing (for people 16 years of age or older)

This preserves eggs before urgent medical treatment or therapies. It involves short-term hormone stimulation to help mature multiple follicles (which contain eggs). The eggs are retrieved, then frozen. Eggs can be safely stored for many years.

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Ovarian tissue cryopreservation (available for pre-pubertal children, youth or adults)

This is an option when hormone stimulation isn’t possible. This may be the case for children, adolescents or adults needing urgent medical treatment. Ovarian tissue can be retrieved anywhere in Ontario and across Canada, then transported to Mount Sinai Fertility through our Ovarian Tissue Transportation Program, expanding access to specialized fertility preservation care.

  • Step 1: One ovary is removed surgically
  • Step 2: The ovary is transported to Mount Sinai Fertility
  • Step 3: It is processed by an expert team in the embryology lab
  • Step 4: The ovary is frozen and can be stored for many years
    • The tissue can be later transplanted back into the pelvis to restore hormones and potential fertility

For young people with testes

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Sperm banking

Sperm banking preserves fertility before medical treatment or hormone therapy begins. Sperm is collected, frozen and stored for future use. It is fast, non-invasive and often completed within a few days of referral.

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Testicular sperm extraction (TESE)

For post-pubertal patients who are unable to provide a sample, this is a minor surgical procedure to retrieve sperm directly from the testicles. This is performed by a urologist. Frozen sperm can be later used with in vitro fertilization (IVF) to achieve pregnancy.

Our team works closely with your child’s health-care providers and family to make safe, informed decisions.

Fertility and cancer

A cancer diagnosis can be overwhelming. We’re here to help — fast.

We offer specialized support before, during and after cancer treatment to help you make informed decisions quickly and confidently.

We have expertise in:

  • Urgent fertility preservation
  • Genetic counselling
  • Fertility after cancer

If you have been newly diagnosed

We offer urgent fertility preservation appointments within 24 to 48 hours after referral.

Our team will:

  • Explain your fertility risks and options
  • Offer appropriate fertility preservation strategies
  • Work with your cancer care team to ensure safety and meet time-sensitive timelines

If you are a survivor

We can help with options such as:

  • Post-treatment fertility testing, such as ovarian reserve testing and semen analysis
  • Conception planning, such as assisted reproduction or donor and gestational carrier options
  • Pregnancy planning with high-risk obstetrical care, partnering with the high-risk pregnancy care team at Mount Sinai Hospital

Download the referral form and speak to your health-care provider about a referral to Mount Sinai Fertility.

Our research

We’re shaping the future of fertility preservation through clinical studies, innovation and collaboration.

  • Exploring fertility medication approaches for better outcomes
  • Advancing in vitro maturation and tissue freezing
  • Partnering in national cancer and fertility research networks

Interested in participating? Visit our research page or email [email protected].

Real stories, real hope

Answering Questions: Understanding the impact of cancer treatments on fertility

Research Highlight: How Mount Sinai Fertility is Leading Ovarian Tissue Cryopreservation in Canada

Facing urgent treatment?

Ask your health-care provider to send us a referral form as soon as possible. We focus on urgent cases and work quickly to preserve your options for the future.

 

Are you a health-care provider?

Download the referral form and fax to 416-586-4686.
Questions? Call 416-586-4800 ext. 2778.