Fertility Preservation

Fertility Preservation in Turkey: Stop Your Biological Clock

What is fertility preservation? Learn about egg freezing (oocyte cryopreservation), sperm freezing, and embryo banking. Expert guidance for cancer patients and career-focused individuals with Dr. Cengiz Andan in Istanbul.

Is it Possible to Pause Your Biological Clock?

In today’s world, career goals, economic factors, or simply waiting for the right partner often push marriage and parenthood to later stages of life. While our social timelines have shifted, biological realities remain unchanged: Fertility is a race against time.

Especially after age 35 for women and age 45 for men, the quantity and quality of reproductive cells begin to decline. What used to be accepted as “fate” is now a manageable process thanks to modern medical advancements in Fertility Preservation.

At Dr. Cengiz Andan’s Clinic, we offer personalized solutions using the latest “Vitrification” (Flash Freezing)technology for individuals who are not yet ready to have children but want to secure their future chance of becoming parents. By “freezing” your fertility, you can turn time in your favor.

1. Why Should I Preserve My Fertility?

Human biology cannot always keep up with the pace of modern life. Female fertility, in particular, shows a sharp decline with age.

Critical Thresholds for Women:

• At Birth: A girl is born with 1-2 million eggs.
• Puberty: This number drops to 300,000.
• After Age 32: Fertility begins a slight decline.
• After Age 35: A significant decrease in both egg count and quality occurs.
• After Age 40: The chance of natural conception drops below 5%, and miscarriage risks rise.

The Situation for Men: While men produce sperm throughout their lives, after age 45, sperm DNA damage increases. This can make conception harder and may predispose the baby to certain genetic issues.

2. Who is Eligible?

Fertility preservation treatments fall into two main groups: Medical Necessity and Social Reasons (Elective).

1. Medical Reasons:

• Cancer Patients: Chemotherapy and radiation can severely damage ovarian and testicular tissue, leading to permanent infertility. Freezing cells before treatment is vital.
• Upcoming Ovarian Surgery: Women facing surgery for endometriosis (chocolate cysts) or other cysts may experience a reduction in ovarian reserve.
• Early Menopause Risk: Women with a family history of early menopause or specific genetic risks (Fragile X, etc.).

1. Social Reasons (Elective Egg Freezing):

• Individuals delaying pregnancy for career or personal reasons.
• Women over 30 who have not yet found the right partner.

3. Scientific Methods Used in Turkey

Dr. Cengiz Andan uses Vitrification, the most advanced freezing technology available. This method freezes cells instantly “like glass” without forming damaging ice crystals, ensuring survival rates of 90-95% upon thawing.

1. Egg Freezing (Oocyte Cryopreservation)

The most suitable method for single women.

1. Preparation: The woman undergoes about 10-12 days of hormone injections to stimulate egg growth.
2. Collection: Eggs are retrieved under light sedation in a painless procedure.
3. Freezing: Mature eggs are stored in liquid nitrogen tanks at -196°C.

• Success: Eggs frozen before age 35 offer a 40-50% chance of a future live birth. After age 38, this rate drops, so deciding early is crucial.

1. Sperm Freezing

A simple procedure for men. A sperm sample is analyzed, washed, and frozen. It acts as “fatherhood insurance,” especially before chemotherapy.

1. Embryo Freezing

Suitable for married couples. Collected eggs are fertilized with the partner’s sperm, and the resulting embryos are frozen. Embryos are more robust than eggs during the freeze-thaw process, offering higher success rates.

4. Safety, Duration, and Costs

How Long Can They Be Stored? Frozen cells have their biological activity stopped, so they can theoretically be stored indefinitely. In Turkey, the legal storage limit is 5 years, but this can be extended with the patient’s consent.

Baby Health: Scientific studies (ASRM, ESHRE data) have proven that the risk of birth defects in babies born from frozen eggs or sperm is no different from those conceived naturally.

Costs: The cost of egg freezing in Turkey is significantly more affordable than in the US or Europe, making it a top destination for medical tourists. Investing in this procedure now is far more economical than facing multiple IVF cycles in the future with diminished reserve.

Conclusion: Saying “I’ll think about it later” can turn into regret as your ovarian reserve diminishes. If you are in your 30s and not planning a pregnancy soon, freezing your fertility at its current quality is the greatest gift you can give your future self.

Frequently Asked Questions (Fertility Preservation)

1. Can egg freezing be done for virgins?Answer:Yes. The standard procedure is transvaginal, but if preserving the hymen is a priority, egg retrieval can be performed abdominally (via the stomach) under ultrasound guidance. This method is technically more challenging and may yield fewer eggs, but it is an option.
2. Will all frozen eggs survive thawing?Answer:With Vitrification technology, the survival rate is over 90%. However, not every surviving egg will fertilize or become a quality embryo. Therefore, we recommend freezing 8-10 eggs for the best chance of one baby.
3. Is the procedure painful?Answer:Egg retrieval is performed under light sedation (twilight sleep), so the patient feels absolutely no pain. The procedure takes 15-20 minutes, and you go home the same day.

Dr. Cengiz Andan invites you to evaluate your reproductive health and secure your future family plans with advanced fertility preservation techniques.