Egg Freezing: A Healthy Discussion

What is Egg Freezing?

The reality of today's world, aspirations of careers, and various medical conditions have made egg freezing a widely discussed fertility option. The process of egg freezing or oocyte cryopreservation is the collection of a woman's eggs to be stored at very low temperatures for future use or disposal, without compromising their quality. When the time is right, the frozen eggs are thawed and fertilised. It is a process that saves women's fertility, especially those who have to face a situation that influences their reproductive health or have the wish to postpone motherhood due to some personal reasons.

Why Do Women Consider Egg Freezing?

Prior to learning the technical procedure, let's have a look at some of the reasons why women choose egg freezing.

• Age-related fertility concerns - Fertility naturally declines with age; freezing eggs earlier preserves younger, healthier eggs.
• Medical reasons - A woman may be required to take medical treatments and undergo surgeries during her peak fertility period. Such women can have their eggs frozen to avoid fertility problems that could be caused by decreasing egg quality.
• Family planning flexibility - Egg freezing is one method for women to postpone pregnancy until. Women can not only put more emphasis on both their professional and personal lives, but also ensure that they are not stressed about their biological clock.
• Career Advancement - Egg freezing has become a practical choice for career-focused women to balance personal and professional goals. It minimises the dilemma between professional and family planning, and they can balance between the two parts of their life very well.
• Option for Single Women - Egg freezing is also advisable for single women who want to preserve their ability to give birth in the future. It gives them the chance of having control over their reproductive health and scheduling their motherhood for when they want.

The Egg Freezing Procedure

The egg freezing method is a process that involves several steps and is done by a fertility specialist:

• Initial assessment: Firstly, the doctor will arrange a test where the medical history of the patient, blood work, and hormone testing will be performed.
• Ovaries stimulation: The following stage consists of 10-14 days of hormone injections with monitoring appointments every 1-3 days.
• Egg retrieval: Through egg retrieval, eggs are taken out of the ovaries. Just about 36 hours before the procedure, a final trigger shot is given to advance the egg’s maturation stage.
• Freezing and storage process: Once the eggs are retrieved, they are kept in a low-temperature storage facility to prevent their degradation. The eggs can be frozen for an unlimited period; there is no time limit.

Risks and Limitations of Egg Freezing

Like any medical procedure, there are some limitations of egg freezing:

• While egg freezing is considered the best way to save fertility, it does not guarantee a future pregnancy.
• When frozen eggs are unfrozen, not all of them will be alive. However, the survival rate has increased because of the newly developed flash-freezing method (vitrification).
• The process can be quite overwhelming as it includes hormone injections, frequent visits to the doctor, and the egg retrieval procedure.
• Multiple pregnancies can arise from transferring many embryos into the womb, which poses a risk to both the mother and the unborn children.

Egg Freezing and Fertility Success Rates

Egg freezing is generally considered a safe and effective option for preserving fertility, and it has a high possibility of reaching pregnancy. Nevertheless, the egg freezing success rate depends on a number of different factors. It’s important to note that not every frozen egg will fertilise, develop into a healthy embryo, or lead to a live birth. As a result, the specialists advise on retrieving and preserving several eggs to secure a way out of the freezing crisis.

The main factors that influence the success rates of egg freezing include:

• Age at the time of freezing - The younger females tend to be more viable in the long-term and have a higher recovery rate.
• Number of eggs available - Having more eggs results in a higher number of healthy embryos.
• General and reproductive health - The general outcomes depend on the lifestyle, medical history, and ovarian condition.

Understanding these aspects helps in setting the right expectations. Experts advise patients to consider their own individual circumstances, estimate the chances of success, and seek answers to their questions.

Conclusion

If you are planning to explore egg freezing as a way to safeguard your fertility, consulting a specialist is the first step. They will answer questions and help determine whether this option suits your reproductive plans. Early consultation increases the chances of making the most of this technology

Frequently Asked Questions

Is egg freezing safe?

Indeed, the procedure of egg freezing is very safe, and the risks are minimal. However, some minor side effects may be experienced during the retrieval process.

At what age should I consider egg freezing?

Most often, it is recommended that the procedure be done before 35 years of age, when eggs are healthier, and the fertility potential is high.

How long can eggs remain frozen?

Eggs that have been frozen can still be viable for a number of years.

Can frozen eggs guarantee pregnancy?

Not really. Pregnancy success depends on various factors such as egg quality, sperm health, and overall reproductive health, even though egg freezing is aimed at enhancing the chances.

How will my frozen eggs be used later?

Consequently, the frozen eggs are thawed, fertilised using ICSI, and then cultured into embryos, which are then implanted into the uterus within 3 to 5 days to achieve pregnancy.