Ovarian tissue freezing

Females have two ovaries in the pelvis. The organs produce eggs and hormones necessary for pregnancy. Ovarian tissue freezing, also known as ovarian tissue cryopreservation or banking, is a fertility preservation method that removes, preserves, and stores healthy ovarian tissue. A surgeon can put the tissue back into the body to restore fertility years later.

Penn Medicine surgeons are experienced in performing this innovative treatment. During a minor procedure, we remove one ovary or piece of an ovary. We use minimally invasive reproductive surgery techniques to reduce scarring and quicken your recovery time.

After surgery, we use an advanced freezing method—cryopreservation—to preserve the ovarian tissue. Your tissue is stored in our secure lab, which has 24/7 security and backup generators, so you can feel comfortable knowing the future of your fertility is safe.

Each stage of ovarian cryopreservation has a separate cost, including surgery, storage, and transplantation. The cost varies depending on health insurance coverage and how long you plan to store the ovarian tissue.

Figuring out how to pay for fertility and reproductive care can be overwhelming. Penn Medicine’s financial advocates provide solutions and resources to help you pay for the treatments you need to start or grow your family.

You may consider ovarian tissue banking if you’re about to receive a medical treatment that may impact your fertility, including chemotherapy or radiation therapy. Our reproductive specialists work with your oncologist to provide coordinated care so you can quickly preserve your fertility before beginning cancer treatment.

Transgender individuals may consider ovarian cryopreservation before starting hormone therapy or undergoing gender-affirming procedures. Providers affiliated with our LGBTQ+ family-building services can help you determine which fertility preservation method may be right for you.

Ovarian tissue banking was an experimental treatment until 2019, when the American Society of Reproductive Medicine designated it as an established procedure. Limited studies show that ovarian function lasts for up to seven years. A successful pregnancy happens in 25 percent to 30 percent of patients who undergo ovarian cryopreservation and transplantation.

Penn Medicine’s fertility specialists and surgeons are committed to improving patient outcomes. This commitment drives us to continue refining the procedure and boosting success rates. Your provider considers your health history, age, and reproductive goals to help you understand if ovarian tissue freezing could work for you.

Your surgeon speaks with you about the ovarian tissue cryopreservation process and answers your questions. Before surgery, you receive anesthesia, so you’re asleep and don’t feel any discomfort. During the procedure:

1. Your doctor makes an incision (cut) on the side of your abdomen where your ovary is.
2. They guide a thin instrument called a laparoscope through the incision to help them see your ovary.
3. Your surgeon removes the entire ovary or a piece of the ovary that contains egg follicles.
4. We freeze the tissue and safely store it until you’re ready to have your ovary function restored.

When you’re ready to restore your ovaries, we thaw the tissue, and our surgeons place it back into your abdomen. Your ovarian tissue should begin functioning a few months after transplantation.

The ovarian tissue removal and replantation procedures use anesthesia to keep you comfortable during surgery. Side effects from anesthesia include:

• Irritability
• Nausea and vomiting
• Sleepiness
• Sore throat

Some cancers, like leukemia, are more likely to be in the ovary. When we put the ovarian tissue back into the pelvis, it can reintroduce cancerous cells into your body. If you have received a cancer diagnosis, you and your provider can discuss if ovarian tissue banking is the right choice for you based on the type of cancer you’ve been diagnosed with.

Our providers led advancements in ovarian tissue freezing as it evolved from an experimental to an established procedure. Now, we offer this innovative fertility treatment to patients looking to preserve their ability to have children.

Penn Medicine’s skilled providers have the surgical expertise and experience required to perform ovarian tissue cryopreservation and transplantation. Whether you’re facing a cancer treatment or fertility-altering procedure, we can help you preserve your ovarian function and build a family when you’re ready.