Cryopreservation: Freezing your future fertility with Newlife IVF Greece

Life unfolds in unexpected ways. Whether you're pursuing career goals, facing a health
challenge, or simply haven't met the right partner yet, the idea of having children might feel
like a distant dream. But what if you could pause your biological clock and preserve your
fertility for the future?

At Newlife IVF Greece, we offer cryopreservation – a revolutionary technology that allows
you to freeze and safely store your eggs, sperm, or embryos. This means you can protect
your reproductive potential and confidently plan your family when the time is right for you.

Let's explore what cryopreservation is and how it can empower your family-building journey.

What is Cryopreservation?

Cryopreservation is the process of cooling and storing cells and tissues at extremely low
temperatures, typically in liquid nitrogen at -196°C. At this temperature, all biological activity
is effectively stopped, preserving the viability of the cells for many years. It's like pressing a
"pause" button on your reproductive cells.

Newlife IVF Greece utilizes advanced techniques, primarily vitrification, which is an ultra-
rapid freezing method. This technique minimizes the formation of ice crystals, which can
damage cells, leading to significantly higher survival rates upon thawing.

Why Consider Cryopreservation?

There are many compelling reasons why individuals and couples choose to cryopreserve
their eggs, sperm, or embryos:
For Women: Egg Freezing (Oocyte Cryopreservation)

• Age-Related Fertility Decline: A woman's egg quality and quantity naturally decline with age. Freezing eggs at a younger age (ideally before 35-36) allows you to use them later when your natural fertility might be lower, increasing your chances of a successful pregnancy in the future.
• Medical Reasons: If you're facing medical treatments that can harm your fertility, such as chemotherapy or radiation for cancer, egg freezing offers a vital option to preserve your ability to have biological children.
• Career or Personal Planning: Many women choose to focus on their education, career, or personal development before starting a family. Egg freezing provides the flexibility to postpone motherhood without sacrificing the dream of biological children.
• Risk of Early Menopause: If you have a family history of early menopause or certain medical conditions that might lead to it, egg freezing can be a proactive step.

For Men: Sperm Freezing (Sperm Cryopreservation)

• Medical Reasons: Similar to women, men facing treatments like chemotherapy, radiation, or certain surgeries that could impact sperm production can benefit greatly from freezing sperm beforehand.
• Vasectomy: If you're planning a vasectomy but might want children in the future, freezing sperm offers a backup option.
• Difficulties with Sample Collection: For men who might have difficulty providing a fresh sperm sample on the day of an IVF procedure due to stress or other factors, a frozen sample provides security.
• Hazardous Occupations: Men in professions with exposure to toxins or risks that could affect fertility might choose to freeze sperm as a precautionary measure.

For couples: Embryo freezing (Embryo Cryopreservation)

• After IVF Cycles: During an IVF cycle, it's common to create more healthy embryos than those you want to transfer. Freezing these surplus embryos provides additional opportunities for pregnancy in future cycles without needing to repeat the entire egg retrieval process. This is often more cost-effective and less demanding.
• Preimplantation Genetic Testing (PGT): If you're undergoing PGT to screen embryos for genetic conditions or chromosomal abnormalities, embryos are typically frozen after biopsy while awaiting genetic test results. They are then thawed and transferred if deemed healthy.
• Avoiding Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome (OHSS): In some cases, a fresh embryo transfer might be postponed due to the risk of OHSS. Freezing all embryos and transferring them in a subsequent, less stimulated cycle can be a safer approach.
• Future Family Planning: If a couple successfully conceives with their first IVF transfer, frozen embryos offer the chance to have biological siblings years down the line.

The Cryopreservation process at Newlife IVF Greece

The process of cryopreservation varies slightly depending on whether you are freezing eggs,
sperm, or embryos, but generally involves:

1. Consultation & Assessment: Your journey begins with a thorough consultation with
   our fertility specialists at Newlife IVF Greece. We'll discuss your medical history,
   reproductive goals, and determine the most suitable cryopreservation option for you.
2. Preparation:

• Egg Freezing: This involves ovarian stimulation, similar to IVF, to encourage the
  development of multiple eggs.
• Sperm Freezing: A sperm sample is collected, usually through masturbation.
• Embryo Freezing: Embryos are created in the lab through IVF.

3. Collection/Retrieval:

• Egg Freezing: Eggs are retrieved via a minor surgical procedure under light sedation.
• Sperm Freezing: The collected sperm sample is prepared in the lab.
• Embryo Freezing: Developed embryos are assessed for quality.

4. Freezing (Vitrification): The collected eggs, sperm, or selected embryos are mixed
   with cryoprotectants and rapidly frozen using the vitrification technique.
5. Storage: The cryopreserved samples are then safely stored in specialized tanks
   containing liquid nitrogen within our state-of-the-art laboratory at Newlife IVF Greece. These
   tanks are monitored 24/7 to ensure optimal storage conditions.

Is cryopreservation safe?

Yes, cryopreservation is considered a safe and established procedure. Decades of research
and countless successful pregnancies worldwide have shown that cryopreservation does not
increase the risk of birth defects or developmental issues in children conceived using frozen
gametes or embryos.

Your future, preserved with Newlife IVF Greece
At Newlife IVF Greece, we are dedicated to helping you achieve your dream of parenthood.
Cryopreservation offers a powerful tool for fertility preservation and flexible family planning.
Our experienced team of doctors and embryologists, combined with our advanced
technology and compassionate care, ensures you receive the highest standard of treatment.

If you're considering cryopreservation or have any questions about your fertility options, we
invite you to contact us. Let us help you take control of your reproductive future.