Fertility preservation in women with vasculitis: experiences from the FertiPROTEKT network

Fertility preservation is not only important for malignant diseases but should also be offered to patients with autoimmune diseases (AID) like vasculitides, prior to cyclophosphamide therapy. No recommendations are available for patients with AID.

Analysis from the Fertiprotekt registry of all female patients with age <40 and the diagnosis of a vasculitis. The number of counselled patients, their diagnosis and age, the number of children before the start of therapy as well as the fertility preservation treatment chosen were evaluated.

From January 2007 to November 2011, 47 patients with the diagnosis AID were counselled at 17 of the 69 Fertiprotekt centres. 80.9% decided for at least one of the offered preservation methods. Ovarian cryopreservation was performed in 6 patients, 36 patients opted for GnRH-analogue treatment. Two patients decided for a stimulation therapy for cryopreservation of oocytes.

Regarding the experiences from the registry and the literature gonadotropin releasing hormone analogues are evaluated best and recommended to most of the patients with AID. Cryoconservation of ovarian tissue is a promising option. Stimulation for oocyte cryopreservation can be offered to patients with vasculitis. A combination of the methods might have the biggest preservative effect.