Women and girls undergoing treatment for cancer and other conditions, transgender individuals undergoing gender-affirming procedures who want to preserve reproductive options, and anyone at risk for premature ovarian failure may be candidates for ovarian tissue cryopreservation (OTC).
Simply stated, OTC is a surgical procedure that involves removing all or part of an ovary, then freezing and storing this healthy tissue. The tissue is subsequently reintroduced into the patient’s body so pregnancy can occur. In some instances, eggs can be harvested from the tissue in a lab and used for in vitro fertilization (IVF).
Formerly considered an experimental procedure, the American Society for Reproductive Medicine reclassified ovarian tissue banking as a mainstream and acceptable fertility preservation technique in 2023.
If you are exploring OTC and ovarian tissue transplant, you probably have questions about what it’s like to have your ovary tissue extracted, frozen, and transplanted. You’re also probably wondering about the likelihood that the procedures will culminate in a successful pregnancy and how much you might expect this type of fertility treatment to cost. You’ll find answers to these questions and resources to help you make an informed decision about your reproductive preservation options in this article.
What is Ovarian Tissue Cryopreservation, and How Does It Work?
Ovarian tissue cryopreservation is a process where the egg-producing portion of the ovary is surgically removed, frozen, and then stored so it can be transplanted at a later time in order to make pregnancy possible. Ovarian transplants can also help women avoid the need for hormone replacement therapy as the transplanted healthy ovarian tissue restores the body’s ability to produce hormones like estrogen and progesterone.
Removing the ovarian tissue is an outpatient procedure that can be done in less than an hour. After the patient is put under anesthesia, the surgeon makes a small incision in the abdomen and inserts a narrow tube called a laparoscope. The doctor then removes tissue containing immature eggs from the surface of one ovary or may remove the entire ovary if necessary to ensure that enough tissue is harvested.
This ovarian tissue is then divided into small pieces, flash frozen, and placed in a special facility for storage until it is thawed and used in an ovarian transplant procedure.
Ovarian Transplant: Restoring Reproductive Function
Once the patient is ready to have their ovaries restored, they return to the office for another laparoscopic procedure. During this procedure, the thawed ovarian tissue is returned to the body. After the patient is again put under anesthesia, the doctor makes another small incision into the abdomen, inserts the laparoscope, and then creates a pocket in the membrane surrounding the abdominal organs. The ovarian tissue is deposited, and after a few months have passed, normal ovarian activity should be restored.
The patient, under the guidance of a fertility specialist, can then begin the process of conceiving a child. In 70% of cases, according to research, women undergoing ovarian tissue transplantation realize full ovarian function restoration.
Understanding Ovarian Tissue Preservation and Transplant Costs
Because both the procedures to remove and restore the ovarian tissue are performed on an outpatient basis, the costs are lower than if they were required to be done in a hospital setting. Generally speaking, though, even without the expense of a hospital stay, the procedures can cost several thousand dollars.
The ovarian tissue freezing costs, as well as tissue storage costs, are in addition to the procedures. The fees for storage alone can be anywhere from $300 to $1,000 per year.
Like all fertility treatments, whether or not the procedure will be covered by health insurance depends on the laws in your particular state and the terms of your specific policy. There are nonprofits — like the National Infertility Association — that will assist with finding fertility funding options like grants and help you secure any low-cost loans that might be available.
Ovarian Tissue Preservation: Exploring Your Options
Whether or not ovarian tissue freezing and preservation is the right option for you will depend on your particular circumstances. You may want to begin with a women’s wellness evaluation that incorporates a comprehensive fertility assessment followed by any needed fertility testing.
The reproductive experts at SOYO offer information and guidance to help you as you explore your fertility and ovarian preservation options. Contact us today to learn more and to schedule your initial consultation.
