Fertility preservation is a safe way to save or protect your healthy reproductive tissue when your fertility is at risk. This may occur because you are:
Our fertility experts coordinate your care with your healthcare providers. Fertility preservation is safe and is tailored to your needs, so it won’t compromise the success of your treatment.
While most medical treatments have little to no effect on reproductive health, some, like chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery, can damage the testes or ovaries.
Surgery and radiation therapy focused on the abdomen and pelvis may cause temporary or permanent infertility, as well as early menopause.
The risk of your fertility depends on your diagnosis, the treatment you undergo, and the treatment doses.
If you have been diagnosed with cancer and require fertility counseling, ask your care team for a referral to our specialists. We will prioritize your appointment to ensure it doesn’t delay your treatment. Our team supports individuals of all genders and ages, including children.
We work closely with your oncology team from the time of your diagnosis and through your survivorship when you are ready to start your family.
Our dedicated nurse navigator coordinates all aspects of your care. This includes helping you and your family understand your fertility preservation options and referring you and your family to our support services to ensure all your care includes all the support you need throughout your journey.
This may include individual and family therapy, child and adolescent life services for children with a parent who has cancer, self-image services, sexual health and intimacy services, and more.
Our navigators can also provide help in overcoming financial barriers to fertility preservation, as well as post-treatment family planning, if you did not pursue preservation before your treatment.
Learn about the cancer support services we offer to you and your loved ones.
Our fertility providers consider your age, sex, medical history, and type of treatment to best understand your level of infertility risk.
Drawing blood to check hormone levels helps us assess your ovarian reserve -- how many potential fertile egg cells you have. The results can determine what kind of medications you may need ahead of egg retrieval and how many eggs may be extracted.
Sonograms use high-frequency sound waves to produce images of your ovaries. They help us determine the quantity and health of your eggs and how to best retrieve them.
Ovarian tissue freezing may be an option for girls who have not reached puberty and face fertility risks due to treatment for cancer or another condition. It may also be appropriate for people for whom egg or embryo freezing is not possible.
The procedure removes the egg-producing portion from one ovary, and the tissue is frozen for later use. You may choose to have the tissue thawed and put into the body, or, eggs may be collected from the tissue, go through a maturation process, followed by in vitro fertilization (IVF) to make an embryo, and then transferred to the uterus for pregnancy.
Where you receive your care matters. Duke University Hospital is proud of our team and the exceptional care they provide. That is why our obstetrics and gynecology program is nationally ranked and is the highest-ranked program in North Carolina, according to U.S. News & World Report for 2025-2026.
Step-by-Step Guidance
If your healthcare team identifies the need for a fertility preservation consultation, they will refer you to our team. We will be in contact with you throughout your time at the Duke Fertility Center and coordinate your care with your primary team.
We Help You Understand You Understand the Financial Options
Total costs are different for everyone, and most insurance policies do not cover fertility preservation. However, there are financial assistance programs available to help with costs. You will be contacted by a member of our team after you are referred to the Duke Fertility Center. Our team members will walk you through your options for financial assistance and can help you complete the necessary paperwork.
