Fertility Preservation

There are many reasons why you might be exploring services that preserve your eggs, embryos, or sperm so that you can retain your ability to have children in the future. For more than 20 years, we have been a leader in treatments and innovations in fertility preservation. Our Stanford Medicine fertility preservation doctors are part of an interdisciplinary care team, so you have access to multiple specialists at once, making for more tailored, precise care.

Reasons for fertility preservation

• Delaying reproduction. Preserving your eggs or sperm so you can have a family at a later age.

• Cancer treatments. Cancer drugs and therapies can negatively impact your reproductive system. We act quickly to begin fertility preservation before your cancer treatment begins. We care for people of all ages. If you are a teen or young adult, you can take advantage of our Stanford Adolescent and Young Adult Cancer Program. It provides counseling and assistance with family planning, fertility preservation, and sexual health for patients ages 15–29. 

• Gender-affirming treatments. Undergoing hormonal transition can make eggs or sperm less effective. If you are transitioning your gender, we help you take advantage of fertility preservation procedures as part of your process. Ask your care provider about fertility preservation at your first visit.

  Additionally, when you are ready to grow your family, we offer LGBTQ+ support groups through the Department of Psychiatry at Stanford Medicine, should you need some extra help with the emotional or mental challenges that a fertility journey may bring.

• Other treatments. Treatment for diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and other autoimmune conditions may result in diminished reproductive ability. Ask your doctor how your treatment plan may affect your fertility.

At Stanford Medicine Children’s Health, we offer many options for fertility preservation. These include:

• Egg banking (oocyte cryopreservation)
• Embryo banking
• Ovarian tissue banking
• Ovarian suppression
• Sperm banking (sperm cryopreservation)
• Testicular tissue banking

If you have a recent cancer diagnosis, timing is crucial when deciding which fertility preservation option to choose. We will expedite your consultation.

If you are considering starting gender-affirming hormones or are prescribed treatment that can impact your reproductive ability and want to discuss steps to preserve your fertility, please call the number above.

Interested in egg freezing? 

Join us on select Thursday evenings between 6 – 7 p.m. for our Egg Freezing Seminar with a Stanford Medicine Children's Health fertility provider. You will have a chance to learn about oocyte cryopreservation at Stanford Medicine and learn more about our Egg Freezing Study. Register here by selecting the date that works best for you.

Expedited laboratory tests and a shorter fertility journey will be possible for you if you attend this seminar and have a new-patient visit scheduled with one of our Stanford Medicine Children's Health fertility providers.