If you are navigating the challenges of a cancer diagnosis or other medical condition that may affect your reproductive health, weundefinedre here for you.

At NYU Langone Fertility Center, we have provided comprehensive, safe, and time-sensitive care for over 250 women who chose to freeze their eggs prior to undergoing chemotherapy or other iatrogenic surgery. We are proud to welcome patients from centers across New York City and around the world who need immediate and efficient care to preserve fertility prior to life-saving treatments. Dr. Elizabeth Fino specializes in our fast-track process for patients undergoing fertility preservation due to medical necessity.

How does cancer treatment impact fertility?

Cancer treatments like chemotherapy work by targeting and killing cells in the body that divide and multiply quickly (like cancer cells). However, oocytes (eggs) also tend to divide quickly and are often affected by chemotherapy. Because fertility following chemotherapy is dependent upon a number of factors including the length of treatment, dosage of drugs, and the patientundefineds age, it is difficult to predict whether or not a patient will be fertile following treatment. As a result, we encourage all patients who wish to undergo medical fertility preservation to do so prior to their cancer treatment.

What are my fertility preservation options?

Options for medical fertility preservation include egg freezing (retrieving eggs and freezing for future use to create embryos) or embryo banking (creating and freezing embryos for future use). If the patient chooses to create embryos, genetic testing of said embryos is available prior to embryo freezing.

How does fertility preservation work?

Below is an overview of the fertility preservation process. Due to the time sensitive nature of this treatment, patients may experience an accelerated course of care.

• The patient first meets with an oncologist to determine appropriate cancer treatment and to assess the need for medical fertility preservation.
• Approximately 24-72 hours following the oncology appointment (depending upon when the patient is scheduled to start cancer treatment), the patient meets with a NYU Langone Fertility Center Reproductive Endocrinologist to determine a treatment plan for fertility preservation.
• The patient then meets with our dedicated nursing staff to complete a physical examination, to order medications, and to determine if the patient has insurance coverage or is eligible for any treatment grants or financing options.
• The patient then undergoes the ovulation induction and egg retrieval process. Please note that in medical fertility preservation cycles, the patient is not limited to a day two cycle start. The full ovulation induction and egg retrieval process takes approximately 12-14 days, although the length of each cycle varies depending upon how each patient responds to treatment.
• Following an egg retrieval, the patient is ready to begin cancer treatment immediately and typically begins within 1-2 days.

Fertility Preservation: Frequently Asked Questions

How are eggs and embryos preserved?

Eggs and embryos are preserved using cryopreservation beginning with undefinedvitrificationundefined or undefinedfreezing.undefined Vitrification is an ultra-rapid freezing process performed in our embryology laboratory, wherein the eggs (or embryos) are rapidly cooled to subzero temperatures. This rapid cooling process prevents the formation of ice crystals, which can cause cell damage.

When our patients return to use their vitrified eggs or embryos, the vitrification procedure is reversed to allow warming back to room temperature for rehydration. Once the uterus has been properly prepared to receive an embryo, embryos can be transferred back to the uterus immediately, and eggs can be fertilized with sperm 3-4 hours after warming.

How much does fertility preservation cost? Is it covered by insurance?

Pricing for medical fertility preservation of eggs can be broken down as follows:

• Egg Freezing Cycle - $6950 (including one year of storage)
• Egg storage following the first year - $750 (per year)
• Anesthesia - $1100
• Medication - $2000-8000

Pricing for medical fertility preservation of embryos can be broken down as follows:

• Egg Freezing Cycle - $6950 (including one year of storage)
• Egg storage following the first year - $750 (per year)
• Anesthesia - $1100
• Medication - $2000-8000
• Optional Preimplantation Genetic Testing - $4600
  • This includes biopsy and freezing of up to 10 embryos. There is an additional $450 charge per embryo if the number of embryos the patient wishes to test exceeds 10.

The above figures represent a self-pay cycle. Depending on the patientundefineds insurance plan, some of the above may be eligible for coverage. Additionally, we participate in the LIVESTRONG Fertility Discount Program and the Ferring Pharmaceuticals Heart Beat Program to provide cost assistance for our patients battling a cancer diagnosis.

How long does fertility preservation take?

Fertility preservation takes approximately 12 to 14 days from the beginning of the treatment cycle. Patients can begin receiving cancer treatment immediately following the completion of their fertility preservation cycle.