Advances in medical technology and scientific research have opened up a world of reproductive possibilities for people who want to delay starting a family.

Egg freezing, also known as oocyte cryopreservation, is a method that can help women preserve their fertility for future use.

What is Egg Freezing?

Egg freezing is a medical procedure that involves extracting and freezing a woman’s eggs, so that they can be used at a later time for assisted reproductive treatments, such as in vitro fertilization (IVF).

During a typical egg freezing cycle, a woman’s ovaries are stimulated with hormones to induce the growth of multiple eggs.

Once the eggs have matured, they are retrieved using a needle under ultrasound guidance, a process known as transvaginal oocyte retrieval (TVOR).

After retrieval, the eggs are carefully frozen using a process called vitrification, which involves rapidly cooling the eggs to prevent ice crystal formation and minimize damage to their cellular structure.

Why Freeze Your Eggs?

Egg freezing can offer several benefits to women who want to preserve their fertility, including:.

Delaying childbearing until they are ready, without worrying about age-related declines in ovarian function or diminishing egg quality
Safeguarding their fertility before undergoing cancer treatment or other medical procedures that may affect their reproductive health
Preserving fertility for women who have not yet found a partner or who are not yet ready to start a family

Who Can Benefit from Egg Freezing?

The ideal candidate for egg freezing is a woman who is in good overall health and has a good supply of eggs.

While there is no strict age limit for egg freezing, fertility experts generally recommend that women freeze their eggs before the age of 35, when egg quality and quantity typically start to decline.

Women who have been diagnosed with cancer or other medical conditions that may affect their reproductive health may also benefit from egg freezing.

In these cases, egg freezing can offer a ray of hope for women who are concerned about the potential loss of fertility due to medical treatments such as chemotherapy or radiation therapy.

What are the Success Rates of Egg Freezing?

The success rates of egg freezing vary depending on several factors, including the age of the woman at the time of freezing, the number of eggs frozen, and the quality of the eggs.

Generally speaking, younger women who freeze a larger number of high-quality eggs have a higher chance of success.

According to the American Society of Reproductive Medicine (ASRM), the pregnancy rate per thawed egg for women under 35 is around 30-50%, while the rate for women over 40 is around 10-20%.

What are the Risks of Egg Freezing?

Like any medical procedure, egg freezing comes with potential risks and side effects. Some of the possible risks associated with egg freezing include:.

Reaction to the hormones used to stimulate egg production, such as ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS)
Complications during the egg retrieval procedure, such as bleeding or infection
Less commonly, damage to the eggs during the freezing or thawing process

How Much Does Egg Freezing Cost?

Egg freezing can be an expensive process, with costs varying depending on factors such as location, the number of eggs being frozen, and whether insurance covers any of the costs.

On average, the cost of egg freezing can range from $5,000 to $10,000 per cycle, not including medication costs, which can add several thousand dollars more. Additional costs may also include annual storage fees for the frozen eggs.

Egg Freezing: An Option for Reproductive Choice

Egg freezing has emerged as a popular option for people who want to expand their reproductive options.

By preserving their eggs, women have the flexibility to delay childbearing until they are ready and increase their chances of having a healthy pregnancy when they are ready.

While there are no guarantees with egg freezing, it offers a sense of security and peace of mind for those who want to maintain their fertility now and in the future. Talk to a fertility expert to learn more about whether egg freezing is right for you.