Fertility preservation is an option available for those who wish to store their eggs, sperm, embryos or tissue for future use in an attempt to have a chance at having a baby. There are several circumstances when one may need to consider this.

We offer fertility preservation facility at our centre. Some of the indications to consider fertility preservation are:

1. Those undergoing cancer treatment that put them at risk of becoming infertile
2. Those who may be at risk of becoming infertile due to treatment for some benign conditions
3. Those considering gender transitioning
4. Elective social egg freezing: Those who wish to electively delay fertility but minimise risk of biological clock ticking.

Sperm freezing

We offer a sperm storage facility to help preserve fertility for men undergoing treatment for cancer and gender transitioning.

We work closely with our cancer specialist colleagues at the Northern Centre for Cancer Care, to provide a fertility preservation service for men undergoing cancer treatment. Advances in treatment mean that more men are now surviving cancer. Some cancer treatments may affect sperm production and fertility in the future. Our sperm storage facility is available for men undergoing such treatment.

Some samples may have to be produced and stored at very short notice. We cannot take self-referrals, your hospital specialist or GP can contact us to ensure that arrangements are made promptly.

Egg freezing

We offer an egg storage facility to help preserve fertility for women undergoing treatment for cancer, social egg freezing and gender transitioning. We also offer egg freezing for women with certain benign gynaecological or genetic conditions that may render them infertile.

For referrals for women who wish to discuss fertility preservation, your hospital specialist or GP can make an urgent appointment by ringing or emailing the centre. Less urgent cases should be referred to our Young Persons’ Clinic.

Embryo freezing

We offer an embryo storage facility to help preserve fertility for some women undergoing treatment for cancer and other conditions if they are in stable relationship with a male partner after appropriate implications counselling.

Other types of referrals

We offer a referral service in collaboration with other centres to consider freezing of ovarian tissue to help preserve fertility for young girls and adolescents undergoing treatment for cancer if they are too young to go through an egg storage process.

For referrals for these young persons and their guardians who wish to discuss fertility preservation, your hospital onco-specialist or GP can make an urgent appointment by ringing or emailing the centre. Less urgent cases should be referred to our Young Persons’ Clinic.

Further information can be found on the HFEA website.