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    FERTILITY PRESERVATION

    Fertility preservation can be either applied to men or women.

    Cryopreservation of the gametes i.e. sperm samples, unfertilized oocytes, fertilized oocytes (embryos) at different stages of development,  ovarian tissue fragments,  is a revolutionary method in the field of Assisted Reproduction and aims to the preservation of the reproductive ability and the possibility of future use for various reasons.

    IVF Athens Center is proud of its achievement in 2008, when the first child in Greece following the vitrification/warming procedure was born and since then we have performed thousands of embryo transfers in cryo-preservation-warming cycles.

    Success rates are consistently high, corresponding to the international ones and those without freezing interventions!

     

    Cryopreservation and cryostorage are applied:

     

    To men with:

    • Νecessary submission to chemotherapy or radiotherapy
    • Diversity in semen parameters, usually to men with severe oligoasthenospermia
    • Diagnosed reduced reproductive ability
    • Sexual difficulties (ejaculation problems)

    Sperm samples are cryopreserved by the slow freezing method

     

    To women with:

    • Νecessary submission to chemotherapy or radiotherapy
    • Further family planning options

    Ovarian tissue fragments are cryopreserved by the slow freezing method

    Unfertilized oocytes are cryopreserved by the vitrification method

     

    To the couple

    • Preservation of supernumerary embryos created during an IVF cycle
    • Elective freeze all 
    • Pre-implantation genetic testing

    All fertilized  oocytes (embryos) are cryopreserved by the vitrification method

    FAQs About Cryopreservation

    Why to preserve your fertility?

    Reasons could be either if you undergo cancer treatments (including chemotherapy or radiotherapy) or suffer from autoimmune diseases. That is because some of the drugs used in such cases, especially in high doses, may be related with infertility, so fertility preservation enhances your chances for family.  You may also proceed to fertility preservation, if you are not ready to start a family!!

    What happens to the cryopreserved genetic material?

    All cryopreserved genetic material are cryostored at IVF Athens Cryopreservation Bank in special manufactured vessels (tanks) under liquid nitrogen,LN2.  The tanks are equipped with 24/7 alarm system which is installed to check and confirm proper cryo conditions.

    When you are ready to pursue pregnancy, our embryologists will warm the material and follow procedures  according your medical records.

    Why do I/we have to sign all these forms?

    Consent forms are obligatory to be filled during all steps of assisted reproduction in accordance with Greek legislation. This is also mandatory whenever we cryopreserve and cryostore your genetic material.  Having in mind the future and the rights of the children to be born, we keep all these signed forms safe to provide you privacy, traceability and confidentiality. 

    Which are the advantages of fertility preservation?

    The main advantage is that you will be able to have your biological child, overlooking age or any possible future circumstances. 

    We are here to answer any questions and discuss with you.