Abstract
SummaryFertility preservation has become an integral part of standard treatment for young patients with planned gonadotoxic therapy. The decision-making process is an interdisciplinary challenge to both oncologists and radiotherapists involved in the process of diagnosis and treatment. Nevertheless, even today, not every patient receives adequate counselling about fertility preserving techniques. Current data on the options of fertility preservation for women, including cryopreservation of oocytes, embryos, ovarian tissue, transposition of ovaries and medical treatment, are summarized in this review.
Highlights
Fertility preservation has become an emerging field in recent decades and is of enormous importance for patients of reproductive age
Chemotherapy, radiotherapy and surgery can lead to premature ovarian insufficiency (POI) in girls and women
A recent Cochrane review stated that gonadotropin releasing hormones (GnRH) analogues appeared to be effective with regard to the resumption of menstruation, ovulation and premature ovarian insufficiency, but evidence was limited on pregnancy rates and on the protection of the ovaries [21]
Summary
Fertility preservation has become an emerging field in recent decades and is of enormous importance for patients of reproductive age. Fertility preservation concerns oncologic patients, but all patients whose future fertility might be impaired by genetic disorders or benign diseases requiring therapies that reduce ovarian reserve, like autoimmune diseases or gynecological diseases such as endometriosis. The aim of this short review is to provide an update on established techniques of fertility preservation in girls and women. As a matter women can choose to split oocytes to cryopreserve both embryos and unfertilized oocytes In both cases, hormonal ovarian stimulation lasting on average 10–14 days is required. The success rate of this technique is limited [7]
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have