Advancements in cryopreservation technology have revolutionized the field of in vitro fertilization (IVF). Cryopreservation ensures that embryos remain viable, stored in liquid nitrogen and ready for use whenever the patient is ready.

Additionally, cryopreservation can improve IVF success rates, reduce costs, and minimize the risks associated with multiple IVF cycles. In this article, we will explore the benefits of cryopreserved embryos for IVF and how they are changing the game in fertility treatments.

1. Improved IVF success rates

Cryopreservation technology has had a major impact on pregnancy and live birth rates in IVF. In traditional IVF, fresh embryos are transferred into the patient’s uterus.

But with cryopreservation, embryos can be frozen and then thawed at a later time when the uterine lining is receptive to implantation. When the embryos are transferred during this optimal window, there is a greater chance of implantation and pregnancy.

A study published in the Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology Canada found that frozen embryo transfer (FET) had higher success rates than fresh embryo transfer (ET), with FET resulting in higher overall pregnancy and live birth rates. Additionally, FET allowed for more flexibility in timing and preparation for the transfer, resulting in fewer missed cycles and higher success rates overall.

2. Reduced costs

Cryopreservation can save patients a significant amount of money compared to traditional IVF. Traditional IVF requires multiple cycles to collect and transfer viable embryos.

This can be expensive, as the cost of medication, procedures, and monitoring can add up. When embryos are cryopreserved, they can be stored until the patient is ready for transfer, reducing the need for additional IVF cycles. Additionally, cryopreserved embryos can be used in future IVF cycles, further reducing overall costs.

A study published in the Journal of Medical Economics found that using cryopreserved embryos for IVF reduced the overall cost per live birth by 9% compared to using fresh embryos.

3. Minimized risks

Cryopreserved embryos can minimize the risks associated with multiple IVF cycles. IVF can be a physically and emotionally taxing process that involves a lot of monitoring, medication, and procedures.

The more cycles a patient undergoes, the greater the risks. Cryopreservation allows for fewer cycles and a more controlled IVF treatment. Cryopreserved embryos are also less likely to result in multiple pregnancies, which increases the risk of complications and can be a financial burden.

Studies have shown that cryopreserved embryos are associated with a lower risk of multiple pregnancies compared to fresh embryos.

4. Increased flexibility

Cryopreservation allows for more flexibility in timing and preparation for the transfer.

Cryopreserved embryos can be thawed and transferred at the exact time when the uterine lining is receptive to implantation, increasing the chances of successful implantation and pregnancy. Additionally, cryopreserved embryos can be used in future IVF cycles, providing patients with more options and flexibility in their treatment.

Cryopreservation technology has also made it possible to store embryos for several years, giving patients the option to delay conception until they are ready.

5. Preservation of fertility

Cryopreservation can also help women preserve their fertility. This is especially important for women who are planning to undergo treatments that can affect their ability to conceive, such as chemotherapy or radiation therapy.

Cryopreservation allows women to preserve their eggs or embryos before undergoing these treatments, giving them the option to conceive in the future. Additionally, cryopreservation can also help women who are delaying conception for personal or professional reasons.

6. Reduced stress

Cryopreservation can also reduce the emotional stress of IVF treatments. Patients undergoing traditional IVF often experience emotional stress due to the uncertainty of the process and the need for multiple cycles.

Cryopreservation can help reduce this stress by providing patients with a more controlled and predictable treatment. Cryopreservation also allows patients to take a break between IVF cycles, providing time for emotional and physical recovery.

7. Greater control

Cryopreservation provides patients with greater control over their IVF treatment. Patients can choose to undergo cryopreservation at a time that is convenient for them, and they can choose to delay embryo transfer until they are ready.

This increased control can be especially helpful for patients who are considering IVF due to medical conditions that require careful timing, such as cancer treatments.

8. Unaffected embryo quality

Cryopreservation does not affect the quality of embryos. When embryos are cryopreserved, they are frozen at a specific stage of development, and they remain in that stage until they are thawed.

This means that the quality of the embryos is not affected by cryopreservation. Studies have shown that the use of cryopreserved embryos for IVF has similar success rates to fresh embryos.

9. Reduced risk of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome

Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) is a common complication associated with traditional IVF. OHSS can be a serious condition that causes abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting, and in severe cases, can result in hospitalization.

Cryopreservation can help reduce the risk of OHSS by allowing patients to undergo a controlled stimulation cycle without embryo transfer. Cryopreserved embryos can then be transferred at a later time when the patient has recovered from the stimulation cycle.

10. Increased donor options

Cryopreservation has also increased the donor options available to patients. With traditional IVF, donors must be available at a specific time for egg retrieval and fertilization.

With cryopreservation, donors can donate eggs or embryos at any time, allowing for a wider range of donor options and increasing the chances of finding a suitable match.