cryoFertility

A fertility preservation program for cancer (and other) patients.

CryoFertility ™

CryoFertility™ is the fertility preservation program at IVF1 specifically for cancer patients and others with a health condition that may impact fertility.

Those undergoing treatment for diseases such as cancer can face risk to their fertility. Chemotherapy, a term used to describe medications used to treat cancer and some other diseases, can damage or destroy eggs in the ovaries. Since an individual in born with all of the eggs they will ever produce, any eggs that are destroyed cannot be replaced. Chemotherapy can compromise ovarian reserve, and in some cases cause complete ovarian failure -- sometimes referred to as premature ovarian failure or premature menopause.

Those who experience varian failure as a result of chemotherapy might not be able to get pregnant. Fortunately, technology is available to preserve fertility by retrieving and freezing eggs.

Program Purpose

The purpose of the CryoFertility™ program is to provide patients with the opportunity to freeze their eggs prior to starting treatment regimens that could cause loss of fertility. While we cannot eliminate all possible costs associated with this process, it is our hope that we can help patients preserve fertility without creating a financial burden.

Several years ago, Dr. Morris and a group of Illinois fertility physicians participated in an initiative to pass legislation that would help cover the costs of fertility preservation. In August 2018, the governor signed House Bill 2617, which requires insurers to provide coverage for certain fertility preservation procedures (“standard” procedures for “medically necessary” procedures to prevent “iatrogenic infertility").

Program Benefits

  • No charge for an initial consultation with a physician or nurse practitioner
  • No charge for testing that is performed by the IVF1 laboratory (such as hormone blood tests and ultrasounds)
  • No charges from IVF1 for completing an egg freezing cycle
  • No charge for egg freezing
  • No charge for storage of frozen eggs for one year
  • IVF1 will attempt to obtain free fertility medications for patients through outside programs

Who is eligible?

Permanent residents of Naperville, Illinois who:

  • Are interested in preserving their fertility.
  • Have been diagnosed with cancer or another serious medical problem requiring treatment that will jeopardize fertility.
  • Have been prescribed a regimen of chemotherapy that has been shown to cause ovarian failure.
  • Do not have insurance coverage for fertility preservation/egg freezing.

What is not covered?

  • The costs to obtain fertility medications (however, IVF1 will help find programs providing free or discounted medications).
  • Anesthesia for egg retrieval procedure (an estimated $500).
  • Any testing that must be performed outside of the IVF1 laboratory.

Fertility preservation for cancer FAQ

Egg freezing may be especially useful for cancer patients. Health data in the United States from 2001 shows that 8% of women diagnosed with cancer were under the age of 40. In 2007, an estimated 180,000 women were diagnosed with invasive breast cancer. Approximately 5% of those women were under the age of 40 at the time of diagnosis, making them good candidates for fertility preservation. In fact, about 30% of women under the age of 40 have never been pregnant, and many of these women are single. In breast cancer, 81% of young women who undergo treatment with chemotherapy and radiation will be free of disease after 5 years. Unfortunately, less than 5% of women diagnosed with breast cancer under the age of 40 will go on to deliver a live born child.

Unfortunately for women of childbearing age, treatments such as chemotherapy and radiation have been shown to cause damage to maturing follicles in the ovaries. These treatments are used to kill rapidly dividing cells but may cause damage to the eggs stored in the ovaries as well. In many cases, women who undergo chemotherapy or radiation will enter menopause prematurely and be unable to have children using their own eggs.

Currently, the recommendation for males who undergo treatment with chemotherapy or radiation is to collect several semen specimens prior to treatment so that they can be frozen before treatment begins. Later, if they become sterile as a result of treatment, the frozen sperm can be used for intrauterine insemination or in vitro fertilization. This method is easy, inexpensive, and highly effective.

If a woman who is diagnosed with cancer has a partner with whom she wishes to conceive but is not ready to attempt pregnancy, the best option for them is create embryos through IVF and freeze the embryos (embryo cryopreservation). Embryo cryopreservation has been performed successfully for many years and is currently considered the gold standard in fertility preservation.

Those who may not have a partner that they want to have children with, or are too young to have partner, are ideal candidates for egg freezing.

Many cancer treatments, such as chemotherapy and radiation, can significantly affect your fertility by damaging the ovaries and reducing egg reserve. Freezing your eggs before starting cancer treatment offers a proactive way to preserve your fertility, allowing you the possibility to build your biological family in the future.

Ideally, egg freezing should be done as soon as possible and before starting cancer treatment. The process typically takes two to four weeks, so it is crucial to consult with your oncologist and a fertility specialist to plan your procedure without significantly delaying your cancer treatment.

The success rates of pregnancy using frozen eggs depend on various factors, including your age at the time of freezing and the number of eggs frozen. Generally, eggs can remain viable for many years -- potentially over a decade -- though it is recommended you use them sooner for higher success rates.

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Preserve Your Fertility Before Treatment with CryoFertility™

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Patient Testimonials

The staff is amazing here. I’m in the middle of IVF and had an issue with a medication and they went above and beyond to make sure everything was done to continue our journey (on the weekend no less); truly above and beyond. The staff are very caring and professional. Definitely recommend Dr. Morris and this amazing practice.

Megan Buetikofer

Amazing staff. They made us feel like family. They cried when I called to tell them the birth of our daughter. Starting round two next month. Simply the best. They care!

BT Warner

I honestly can’t praise this company enough. Dr. Randy Morris bedside manner is absolutely amazing, his staff professionalism and customer service is also amazing. Your experience with this company will be nothing but perfect. From the initial call to the receptionist. To speaking with the nursing staff, billing, etc. everyone wants to help you with family planning. No matter what my outcome is, I know I’m with a co that will make sure I have the best chances. Thank you to Dr Randy Morris and Staff a bunch!

Misty Johnson

Dr. Morris and staff were very friendly. Dr. Morris was very informative and patient with answering all questions I had. We were uncertain on the options and next steps to take and Dr. Morris explained all the details and options we have. Excellent staff and a great doc.

Jenita Crawford

Thanks to Dr.Morris I am holding today my little dream girl. I don't have enough words to express how thankful I am to him and everyone working in IVF1 Naperville. Highly recomend Dr.Morris and his clinic to everyone looking for real professional help and attitude!

Petya Vasilev

I’m so grateful to have been referred to Dr. Morris and his team! I’ve spent the last month or so working with the team and they’ve made what is naturally a hard process both mentally and physically as comforting and easy as possible. Dr. Morris’s success rates speak for themselves, but what I want to let everyone know is that he is equally comforting. A special thank you to Jocelyne, Pam and Barbie, these three women on his staff from front desks to RNs really have made the experience an extremely positive one. PS. My cousin who referred me to Dr. Morris has a smart, healthy and beautiful baby boy who he helped bring into this world!

Alex Villa

He is a very professional and good doctor. the whole clinic is very nice. all the staff are amazing. The doctor operated on me for endometriosis and I got pregnant during the second IVF. we have a wonderful 1 year old son. thank you doctor we still have an embryo, I think I will definitely come back to you in a year or two.

Ziva Ru

Dr. Morris is by far the best fertility doctor! When I transferred to IVF1 from my previous fertility doctor, he read all my medical records in depth. Never once did I feel stressed or unsure of what was happening. The entire staff there is so nice and make you feel so comfortable. It was so easy to schedule appointments, get medications, or ask a nurse a question. My calls were always returned within 20 minutes. I highly recommend IVF1! Dr. Morris made it possible for us to get pregnant!

Lisa

I don't even know where to start...THANK YOU! Thank you for giving us our son. We went through a year of IVF. Although there may have been things I didn't want to hear (chances of pregnancy, factors out of our control, etc.) it was important to hear the truth and know what our chances were. The staff was always great with us and they were very patient. They really have everything figured out and what the best options out for outcomes. I never felt pressured to make certain decisions and always felt well informed. Again, I can't thank Dr. Morris and all his staff for everything!!!

Lauren Throm
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