Hyderabad: Ovarian tissue freezing is emerging as a significant advancement in reproductive medicine, offering renewed hope for women encountering fertility challenges. Previously viewed as experimental, this innovative technique is now recognized for its ability to preserve both fertility and hormonal function. Dr. S. Vyjayanthi, Director of MotherToBe Fertility Centre and Head of Department & Consultant Fertility Specialist at KIMS Fertility Centre, Secunderabad, is leading this transformative field. With over twenty years of experience in reproductive medicine, Dr. Vyjayanthi has been consistently involved in pioneering advancements in fertility care. Ovarian tissue freezing, or ovarian tissue cryopreservation, entails the surgical removal of a small piece of ovarian tissue, which is then frozen and stored for future use.
Unlike egg freezing, which necessitates hormone stimulation and egg retrieval, ovarian tissue freezing can be conducted immediately and is particularly beneficial for patients who cannot postpone treatment, such as those newly diagnosed with cancer. Once the patient is ready to conceive, the thawed tissue can be reimplanted, restoring ovarian function and potentially enabling natural conception. This technique has already led to over 200 live births globally, with numbers continuing to rise as clinical expertise and technology improve. Dr. Vyjayanthi emphasizes the importance of this method, stating, “While egg freezing is widely recognized today, ovarian tissue freezing represents the next frontier.” She highlights its significance for young cancer patients, prepubertal girls, and women at risk of premature ovarian insufficiency.
By preserving ovarian tissue, future fertility and hormonal health are both safeguarded. The tissue contains thousands of immature eggs, providing patients with an opportunity to restore fertility later in life. This method serves as a crucial option for women who cannot undergo conventional ovarian stimulation. Initially intended for cancer patients, the scope of ovarian tissue freezing is broadening to include young cancer patients facing chemotherapy or radiotherapy, prepubertal girls not suitable for egg or embryo freezing, women with genetic disorders like Turner syndrome, patients with autoimmune diseases undergoing aggressive treatments, and those at risk of early menopause due to family history or medical issues. Dr.
Vyjayanthi stresses, “This is not merely about having children; it is about preserving options, dignity, and long-term health.” In India, the awareness surrounding fertility preservation is still developing. While social egg freezing has gained traction in urban regions, ovarian tissue freezing remains less discussed. Dr. Vyjayanthi anticipates that this will change as more clinicians and patients become aware of its benefits. She states, “India has the clinical expertise and infrastructure to implement these advanced technologies. What we require is increased awareness among oncologists, pediatricians, and gynecologists to timely refer patients. Early intervention is essential.” Beyond the technological aspects, ovarian tissue freezing involves profound personal and ethical considerations.
It offers hope to young women with life-altering diagnoses and reassures families about the possibility of future parenthood. “The emotional empowerment this offers is immense,” Dr. Vyjayanthi notes, explaining that it gives patients and their families a sense of control during extremely challenging times. Looking ahead, ongoing research aims to improve in-vitro maturation (IVM) of eggs from ovarian tissue, potentially eliminating the need for reimplantation and enhancing safety for cancer survivors. Dr. Vyjayanthi envisions a future where ovarian tissue freezing is as commonplace as egg freezing. “The possibilities are expanding every year. This is the future of fertility preservation, and India must be prepared to embrace it,” she concludes. Dr. S.
Vyjayanthi is an internationally trained fertility specialist with qualifications including MD, DGO, DNB, MRCOG, MSc (Embryology, UK), and CCT (UK). She has conducted over 10,000 IVF cycles and is among the few specialists in India with sub-specialty accreditation in Reproductive Medicine and Surgery from the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (RCOG), UK. At MotherToBe Fertility Centre and KIMS Fertility Centre, she leads a dedicated team focused on providing ethical, transparent, and personalized fertility care.