Fertility preservation

At UCI Health, we understand how important your future family plans are, especially when facing a gynecologic cancer diagnosis. 

Our fertility preservation services offer compassionate care and advanced options to protect your fertility and provide lasting peace of mind.

Our approach to fertility preservation

At UCI Health, we understand that your fertility is an important part of your future, especially when facing gynecological cancers. 

Dr. Krishnansu Tewari leads our multidisciplinary Fertility Preservation Program at the UCI Health Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center. We ensure comprehensive care from specialists across multiple fields, giving you the best chance for preserving your reproductive health.

Our approach to fertility preservation involves close coordination between our specialists:

• Gynecologic oncologists
• Maternal and fetal medicine physicians
• Reproductive endocrinologists
• Infertility specialists
• Pathologists
• Radiologists

We offer advanced medical therapies and surgical options to help protect your fertility. Whether you're undergoing cancer treatments now or have a gynecological condition that could impact your ability to have children, we can help.

Benefits of fertility preservation

Fertility preservation allows you to take control of your reproductive future, giving you the option to have children later, even after cancer treatment. By preserving your eggs or embryos before treatment, you can protect your ability to grow your family in the future.

Fertility preservation allows you to:

• Preserve your fertility for future family planning.
• Give yourself time to consider options after cancer treatment.
• Keep your reproductive choices open, regardless of treatment side effects.

What to expect with fertility preservation

At UCI Health, we offer specialized fertility preservation options for patients undergoing cancer treatments that may affect fertility. 

Here’s what you can expect based on your diagnosis:

Cervical cancer:  For patients with invasive cervical cancer, a procedure called radical trachelectomy may help preserve fertility. It removes the cancer while leaving the uterus intact. Our gynecologic oncologists perform this operation with the da Vinci Surgical System®, which allows for faster recovery with less pain.  We determine your eligibility through careful evaluation.

Endometrial cancer: Some patients with endometrial cancer may be treated with hormone therapy to preserve their uterus. This decision requires careful discussion with our team.

Ovarian cancer: In some cases, we can remove only the cancerous ovary while preserving the uterus and the remaining ovary. Many women go on to have successful pregnancies.

Vaginal agenesis:  If your vagina didn’t develop normally, we offer surgery to create a vaginal canal. This may allow for sexual function and, if you have a uterus, pregnancy. If not, you can use your eggs for IVF with a surrogate.

Non-gynecologic cancer:  If you’re undergoing chemotherapy or radiation for lymphoma or breast cancer, we can reposition your ovaries to preserve fertility. We can also protect them with medication.

Preparing for fertility preservation

Consult with our specialists early to evaluate your options and plan treatments before cancer therapy begins. Our team will guide you through each step.

What happens after my fertility preservation

Regular follow-up appointments are essential to ensure your long-term reproductive health. Our team will monitor your progress and discuss any necessary next steps. This could include the potential use of preserved eggs, sperm or embryos in the future.

If you’ve undergone surgical procedures, such as ovarian tissue freezing or robotic-assisted surgery, follow-up care will involve assessing recovery, managing any side effects and ensuring fertility options remain viable. 

We also offer ongoing support for emotional well-being, as the fertility preservation journey can be both physically and emotionally challenging.

Why choose UCI for fertility preservation

We’re one of the few centers in the nation to provide radical trachelectomy combined with laparoscopic lymph node dissection. 

This procedure removes cancer while preserving fertility, allowing you to retain your uterus for future pregnancies. Our experienced team of gynecologic oncologists uses innovative techniques, including robotic-assisted surgery, to ensure the most precise and effective treatment. 

As the only academic health system in Orange County, we offer unmatched expertise in fertility preservation. Our multidisciplinary team of specialists provides personalized, leading-edge care, backed by the latest research and advanced treatments. 

As part of the Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, we offer access to innovative clinical trials, giving you access to the latest treatments and therapies years before they are available to the general public.