Oncofertility Preservation

It's never too soon. In fact, the earlier you reach out, the more options you're likely to have. You don't need a referral to contact us, and you don't need to have made any decisions yet. If you decide to proceed, we will work around your oncology appointments and move at whatever pace your treatment timeline allows.

Many patients assume their doctor will bring fertility preservation up, but oncologists are understandably focused on cancer treatment. You have every right to ask about your options, and most oncologists are supportive of the conversation. You're welcome to contact us directly; we can even reach out to your oncology team on your behalf.

Not sure how to start the conversation with your doctor? Try: "Before we finalize my treatment plan, I'd like to speak with a fertility specialist about preservation options."

Many plans now include coverage for fertility preservation for patients facing a cancer diagnosis – sometimes called "iatrogenic infertility" coverage. Connecticut and New York both have state mandates requiring certain plans to provide this coverage.

The cost of fertility preservation varies based on your path and insurance coverage. If you don't have coverage, there are various organizations that offer free medication and significant financial assistance for patients with cancer.

Our financial coordinators will review your specific benefits before you begin so there are no surprises. Let us know you're considering oncofertility preservation before your consultation so we can connect you with the right resources.

In most cases, no. We coordinate everything directly with your oncologist, and nothing proceeds without their clearance. If treatment needs to begin urgently, our teams will work together to determine what's safe and feasible within your specific window.

Egg and embryo freezing can typically be completed in about two weeks, and sperm freezing in even less time: one to three days. 

In some cases, yes – but options may be more limited, and timing becomes more complex. The best outcomes are generally achieved when preservation happens before treatment begins. If you've already started treatment, please still reach out so we can assess what may be possible for your specific situation.

The process begins with approximately 10 to 14 days of injectable hormone medications to stimulate your ovaries to produce multiple eggs. You'll come in for monitoring appointments (ultrasounds and bloodwork) every few days during this time.

When your eggs are ready, a short outpatient retrieval procedure is performed under sedation – it typically takes 15 to 20 minutes. Your eggs are then either frozen or fertilized with your designated sperm source (either a partner or a donor) to create embryos, which are cryopreserved for future use. Most patients return to normal activity within a day or two.

Illume Fertility's award-winning laboratories are staffed with highly-trained professionals who maintain the highest level of quality assurance.

Here's how we keep your samples safe and sound:

• We have 36 liquid nitrogen tanks on-site which currently store 25,000+ frozen samples.
• As a part of our daily quality check, we inspect the level of liquid nitrogen in our storage tanks. At least once a week, we fill tanks to the top level.
• Liquid nitrogen is delivered twice a week to ensure we always have the amount we need to keep tanks at the correct levels.
• We have a state-of-the-art alarm system connected to each of our tanks. In the event of an emergency when the lab is closed, the alarm alerts our staff remotely, and a trained staff member will respond to the laboratory at any hour.
• All alarm systems are connected to a backup power source. This ensures that the alarm will not be shut off in the event of a power outage.
• Most importantly, our embryology staff is on-site weekdays, weekends, and holidays, which allows us to monitor and confirm that all lab equipment is functioning properly.

Illume Fertility takes great pride in caring for you and offering the best oncofertility preservation options possible, and secure, top-tier cryostorage is just one part of that commitment.

When stored properly in liquid nitrogen, frozen samples can remain viable for many, many years – potentially indefinitely. There is no known expiration date, meaning your specimens will remain in storage for as long as you need them. Annual storage fees usually apply after an initial storage period; our team will explain all the details.

Embryo freezing requires sperm – either from a partner or a donor. If you're not currently partnered, egg freezing is the most common choice, as it preserves your options without requiring a sperm source at this stage. Eggs can always be fertilized later.

Some individuals do choose to use donor sperm now to create embryos – this is a personal decision your care team can help you think through.

This is a common (and valid) concern, especially for patients with hormone receptor-positive breast cancer. Modified stimulation protocols (often using a medication called Letrozole) can be used to keep estrogen levels low during the process. Your Illume physician will work closely with your oncologist to determine which protocol is safest for your specific diagnosis.