Portland Thorns Strike Deal With US Fertility So Players Have Options

PORTLAND, OR — The Portland Thorns announced a deal making US Fertility its "official fertility partner." The deal secures the services of doctors from the company to offer fertility care options to players and their families.

The team said that since "age is the single most important factor affecting fertility," the deal is important so that players "do not have to choose between their careers and their plans for building a family by providing fertility preservation options and other needed fertility resources,"

Thorns players will receive free consultations with fertility doctors, evaluations, egg retrieval and freezing, preservation and transfers. Players will also get educational and planning services.

"As a former Thorns player who understands the demands of athletes and their families, I am proud to be part of a team that is continuously evolving to meet the needs of our players," Thorns general manager Karina LeBlanc said.

"This is an opportunity to do something that empowers our players, enhances reproductive autonomy and provides needed access to premier fertility care."

US Fertility and the Thorns said in a statement that "as women age their egg quality and quantity will continue to decrease, which can significantly impact their ability to conceive."

The decline happens gradually from ages 30 through 35 and becomes a sharp decline starting at 40, the organizations said.