When is it necessary?

Reading time: 2 min

Before patients (either male or female) can receive fertility preservation, they must be carefully evaluated. It is a multidisciplinary assessment; that is, under the control of both the reference doctor (an oncologist in most cases) and the doctor specialising in reproductive medicine. Below are the main points in the clinical assessment:

Person sitting on a sofa with a doctor

The clinical situation of the patient; that is, the stage of the disease (how advanced it is) and prognosis; as well as the risk involved in carrying out these preservation techniques.

Clock with pills that indicates to adjust medication to shorter time intervals

The therapeutic plan and the time available before the start of treatment.

Woman growing older from childhood to old age

Patient age, the ovarian reserve status and the degree of danger of the indicated treatment.

Female reproductive system

The risk of ovarian dysfunction is the main criterion for determining whether or not fertility preservation is performed. Ovarian failure occurs when a woman's ovaries stop working normally before she is 40 years old.

The reference doctor informs the patient of the possible effects on fertility of oncological and immunological treatment, for example. Meanwhile, the doctor specialising in reproductive medicine indicates the most appropriate preservation technique from the two main options, based on a risk assessment and individual features:  

  • Conservative surgery
  • Cryopreservation  
  • Chemoprotection

Substantiated information by:

Aina Borrás
Dolors Manau Trullàs

Published: 7 November 2022
Updated: 7 November 2022

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