As a precaution for future family planning, embryologist and fertility expert Diane Amedo advises prospective parents to think about banking their eggs and sperm. She contends that some reproductive therapies are more effective when eggs and sperm are stored during a person’s prime rather than when fertility problems arise later. Amedo points out that although there are some exceptions, some women may find it challenging to conceive after the age of 35 due to the decrease in egg quality and quantity. The quality and quantity of sperm in males can also be impacted by the slow decline in testosterone that occurs with aging. She suggests getting a fertility test and making plans based on professional guidance for young people who are career-focused or who are not in committed relationships but hope to have children in the future. According to Amedo, a lot of people are not aware of this choice and only seek assistance when they are having trouble getting pregnant in their 40s. By then, people frequently understand that if they had been aware of this alternative sooner, they could have financed it. Although there have been improvements in gamete storage, she clarifies that the age and amount of the frozen eggs determine the methods’ success rate and cost. Generally, a good probability of getting pregnant requires 15 to 20 eggs. The success percentage is higher for eggs that are younger and healthier. She guarantees that stringent procedures are in place to avoid confusion between stored sperm or eggs. According to Amedo, the first year’s expenses for women between the ages of 31 and 34 may total $5,000, which would include screening, registration, lab work, prescription drugs, and other procedures. Additionally, there would be a $500 annual storage renewal fee. For $250 for six months or $500 for a year, men’s semen freezing is easier. Women who freeze their eggs for non-medical reasons, such postponing childbearing for private reasons, are said to be engaging in social egg freezing. Gamete banking may be necessary to maintain fertility in some medical situations, such as receiving chemotherapy or working in hazardous jobs like mining or the military. Speaking anonymously, a woman in her 40s laments not being aware of this technique sooner because she now intends to adopt after trying in vain to conceive due to ovarian surgeries. Although Aba Esaandoh, another woman, concedes that she could think about taking medicine to protect her future fertility, she raises concerns about the impact of such medications on egg maturation. In Ghana, assisted reproductive technology (ART) has gained popularity as a means of treating infertility through ovarian stimulation, IVF, gamete donation, and intrauterine insemination. Nevertheless, there is currently no legislation that governs these activities. To close this gap, the Fertility Society of Ghana is drafting a report to submit to Parliament.
