Sunday 14 June 2026
Fertility preservation is the freezing of eggs, embryos or sperm to preserve a person’s fertility. This is usually completed for medical reasons or social reasons if a person is concerned about their increasing age with regard to their fertility.
To create and freeze embryos an IVF cycle is completed except that all the embryos are frozen and there is no embryo transfer procedure completed. Where there is a medical cause for the need for embryo freezing the IVF cycle is completed in the shortest time possible. Frozen embryos can be used at a later time through a Frozen Embryo Transfer (FET) cycle.
Egg Freezing In a similar way to an IVF treatment cycle the preparation for the female is the same to the point of egg collection. Once the eggs have been collected they are frozen for future use. At a later time the eggs can be thawed and mixed with sperm to create embryos and the female prepared for an embryo transfer as per a Frozen Embryo Transfer (FET) cycle.
Sperm Freezing Sperm freezing can be completed with minimal preparation. Once screening blood tests have been completed and one of our embryologists has been seen to complete storage consent forms a semen sample can be produced and frozen. Our embryologists usually recommend storing 2 to 3 samples and the embryologists will analyse each sample to establish the quality ahead of freezing.
If you have been diagnosed with a medical condition which will require treatment which may affect your fertility, such as chemotherapy or radiotherapy, and you still wish to have children then fertility preservation may be appropriate for you. In this instance, you will likely be referred to us from the consultant overseeing your treatment.
Fertility preservation may also be appropriate for you if you are not currently in a position to have a child but would like to in the future and have concerns about your age and fertility.
Our staff at Salisbury District Hospital have long been well regarded for the quality of care and treatment they provide for our patients and for their innovation, commitment and professionalism. This has been recognised in a wide range of achievements and it is reflected in our award of NHS Foundation Trust status. This is afforded to hospitals that provide the highest standards of care.
