Unlike earlier times, women today have more control over their reproductive health because of technology and advanced medical treatments. Now, through egg freezing, they have the freedom to focus on their careers, wait for the right partner, or prioritize their health without worrying about the biological clock. This fertility preservation procedure ensures that age, health concerns, or career graphs do not limit future family planning. But what is egg freezing, and how does it work? Here’s everything you need to know.
What is Egg Freezing?
Egg freezing, also known as oocyte cryopreservation, is a medical procedure that preserves a woman’s eggs for future use. After an initial assessment and evaluation, medications are prescribed to stimulate the egg to grow. After this, the freezing process involves retrieving eggs from the ovaries, freezing them using liquid nitrogen, and storing them for later fertilization. Unlike embryo freezing, where eggs are fertilized before storage, frozen eggs remain unfertilized until the woman decides to use them.
This fertility preservation method is commonly chosen by women who want to delay pregnancy. It ensures that chromosomal abnormalities due to age or declining ovarian reserve do not affect fertility later in life.
Why is Egg Freezing Considered?
Freezing eggs is a conscious choice many women make in their 30s for various personal and professional reasons. The egg freezing procedure gives a spark of hope to those women for whom pregnancy is not an immediate option but may want to experience motherhood in the future. This could be because of:
1. Medical Reasons
- Cancer treatments: Chemotherapy and radiation can damage the ovaries and affect fertility. Freezing eggs before treatment helps preserve the chance of having biological children later.
- Ovarian disorders: Conditions like endometriosis or premature ovarian failure can reduce egg quality and quantity. Egg retrieval before significant decline can help.
- Genetic conditions: Some women with a family history of early menopause or certain chromosomal abnormalities may freeze their eggs as a precaution.
2. Personal or Lifestyle Choices
- Career and education: Many women delay pregnancy to focus on professional growth without worrying about declining fertility.
- Waiting for the right partner: For those who have not found a suitable partner but wish to have biological children later, freezing eggs offers peace of mind.
- Not a Right Time: Sometimes, a woman may feel that she isn’t financially or emotionally ready to have kids.
What is the Egg Freezing Process?
In order to have a deeper understanding of what does freezing mean, it is important understand the process. The egg freezing process is divided into several steps and takes about two to three weeks. Here’s how it works:
- Ovarian Stimulation (10–14 Days): To retrieve multiple eggs, the ovaries need to produce more than the usual one egg per cycle. Women take hormone medications for about 10–14 days to stimulate egg production. During this period, doctors monitor follicle growth through ultrasounds and blood tests to track hormone levels.
- Egg Retrieval (Day 12–16): Once the follicles reach the right size, an injection called a “trigger shot” is given to mature the eggs. About 36 hours later, doctors perform an egg retrieval procedure using a thin needle inserted through the vaginal wall into the ovaries. This is done under anesthesia and takes about 15–20 minutes.
- Freezing Process: The retrieved eggs are assessed for quality, and only mature eggs are chosen for freezing. They are rapidly cooled through a technique called vitrification, where they are frozen instantly in liquid nitrogen at extremely low temperatures. This prevents the formation of ice crystals, which could damage the eggs.
- Storage and Future Use: Frozen eggs can be stored for years without losing their viability. When a woman decides to use them, the eggs are thawed, fertilized with sperm, and implanted into the uterus through in-vitro fertilization (IVF). The number of eggs retrieved and frozen plays a crucial role in determining the success of future pregnancy.
What are the Advantages of Egg Freezing?
Knowing the exact egg freezing meaning indicates multiple benefits in itself. Let’s read some of them below:
- Women can store healthy eggs at a younger age and reduce the impact of declining ovarian reserve.
- It allows women to delay pregnancy for personal, professional, or medical reasons without worrying about age-related fertility decline.
- Women undergoing chemotherapy or radiation can freeze their eggs before treatment and preserve their ability to conceive in the future.
- As a woman ages, the quality and quantity of eggs decrease. Freezing eggs at an earlier age ensures better chances of a successful pregnancy later.
- Frozen eggs can be used in IVF treatments whenever a woman is ready, improving the chances of conception.
What are the Disadvantages of Freezing Eggs?
While egg freezing offers many advantages, there are certain drawbacks to be aware of:
- Egg freezing is not a guaranteed process. Even with frozen eggs, success rates depend on factors like age at retrieval and overall egg quality.
- The egg freezing procedure involves medical tests, hormone medications, and storage fees, which makes it an expensive option.
- Some women experience bloating, mood swings, or discomfort due to hormone medications used during ovarian stimulation.
Risks and Effectiveness of Freezing Your Eggs
The success of egg freezing depends on age and egg quality. Women who freeze eggs before 35 have a 70 to 90% survival rate after thawing, while older women may have lower success rates. The chance of birth per frozen egg is about 2 to 12%, depending on age.
The risks related to egg freezing include rare complications from ovarian stimulation, such as ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS), and potential egg damage during the freezing process.
Take a Secured Step Towards Parenthood with Archich
If you are unsure about egg freezing, why don’t you consult our expert and experienced doctors at Archish IVF Facility? We make the process easy, personalized, and assuring for you.
FAQs
1.Are there any complications related to egg freezing?
Egg freezing is generally safe, but risks include mild side effects from hormone medications, such as bloating or mood swings. In rare cases, ovarian stimulation can lead to ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS), causing abdominal pain and fluid retention.
2.What is the cost of egg freezing in India?
The cost varies based on the clinic, medications, and storage duration. In India, it typically ranges from ₹1.5 to ₹2 lakh, excluding yearly storage fees.
3.Who should consider freezing eggs?
Women delaying pregnancy due to career, personal reasons, or medical conditions like endometriosis or cancer should consider fertility preservation.
4.What is the age limit for egg freezing?
Ideally, women should freeze their eggs before 35, as egg quality declines with age. However, some clinics allow the procedure up to 40 years.
5.Can a woman get pregnant after freezing eggs?
Yes, but success depends on the number of eggs retrieved, age at freezing, and overall reproductive health.
6.Do we get periods after freezing eggs?
Yes, periods resume normally after ovarian stimulation, as the procedure does not affect long-term menstrual cycles.