What is Egg Freezing for pregnancy? Oocyte cryopreservation is the method of extracting eggs from the ovaries. The woman can use the eggs for future use or whenever they are ready to have a baby. The entire procedure involves extracting, freezing, and storing to preserve the potentiality in women of reproductive age. Egg cryopreservation is also linked with egg donation. In this procedure, a donor gives eggs for someone else to use during fertility treatments.
What is the Egg Freezing Process?
What is egg freezing? The process of egg (oocyte) freezing is similar to IVF (In Vitro Fertilization). However, it has only one key difference. Instead of fertilizing the eggs after retrieval, they are frozen for future use. This technique helps preserve fertility for women who wish to delay pregnancy due to medical or personal reasons.
Self-Injection
The individual undergoing the process must self-inject 2 to 3 hormone medications daily for about 10-12 days. These hormones stimulate the ovaries to produce multiple eggs in one cycle. It also increases the chances of a successful retrieval. Some common side effects may include bloating, mood swings, and mild discomfort.
Tracking
Monitoring the egg development process is essential. It helps to ensure that the eggs are growing correctly. This involves 4-6 pelvic ultrasounds and routine bloodwork to measure hormone levels. Doctors use this data to adjust medications if needed. It helps them to determine the best time for egg retrieval.
Retrieval
Once the eggs mature, a minor surgical procedure is performed to retrieve them. Using ultrasound guidance, a thin needle is inserted into the ovaries to collect the eggs. The outpatient procedure lasts about 20-30 minutes and is done under anesthesia. Some mild cramping and spotting may occur afterward.
Egg Verification
After retrieval, an embryologist examines the eggs to check their maturity and quality. Only mature eggs are selected for freezing, as they have the highest chances of future fertilization.
Egg freezing is a valuable option for those looking to preserve their fertility. Consulting a fertility expert can help determine if it’s the right choice.
Storing of Eggs
After harvesting, eggs undergo vitrification. In this process, eggs are exposed to high concentrations of cryoprotectants to allow rapid dehydration of cells. They are then placed in storage devices and cooled. Typically at thousands of degrees per minute, to prevent ice crystal formation. The eggs are then stored in liquid nitrogen tanks to preserve them for future use.
How To Use Frozen Eggs To Conceive?
What is egg freezing procedure to conceive? Here are the steps to understand the process properly:
- The first step is thawing the eggs. Once the eggs are out, an embryologist will start examining to confirm whether the eggs are yours.
- The next step involves thawing the eggs gently using a warming solution.
- The next step is to fertilize every thawed egg with sperm. Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) might be used to increase the chances of successful fertilisation.
- The embryologist will examine the fertilized eggs for development for several days.
- Finally, your doctor will perform an embryo transfer process. This involves using a catheter and a speculum. It will contain the embryo through the cervix and vagina to reach the womb.
Who can consider doing egg freezing?
What is Egg freezing and who can opt for it? Oocyte cryopreservation is a method to preserve a woman’s fertility for future use. Various individuals might consider this option based on medical or personal factors:
Surgeries Impacting Ovaries
Procedures involving the reproductive system. Such as ovarian cyst removal or endometriosis treatment, can potentially harm ovarian tissue. Freezing eggs before such surgeries offers a safeguard against possible fertility loss.
Cancer Treatments
Therapies like pelvic radiation or chemotherapy can affect ovarian function. Preserving eggs prior to starting cancer treatment provides an opportunity for future conception.
Ovarian Diseases
Conditions such as severe endometriosis or ovarian torsion may necessitate interventions that compromise ovarian health. Egg freezing serves as a precautionary measure to maintain reproductive potential.
Risk of Premature Ovarian Failure
Women with a family history of early menopause or chromosomal abnormalities. They face a higher risk of diminished ovarian function before age 40. Proactively freezing eggs can help preserve fertility in these cases.
Elective Fertility Preservation
Individuals choosing to delay childbearing for personal or professional reasons. They can opt for egg freezing to extend their reproductive timeline. This approach allows women to plan pregnancies at a later stage with potentially healthier eggs.
Genetic Conditions Requiring Ovarian Removal
Certain genetic mutations increase the risk of ovarian cancer. This can also lead some to consider prophylactic oophorectomy (ovary removal). Freezing eggs beforehand ensures the possibility of biological children in the future.
It’s important to note that egg freezing is most effective for women in their 20s to early 30s. Also, it is not commonly recommended for those over 38 years old. Consulting with a fertility specialist can provide personalized guidance based on individual circumstances.
What age is best to freeze eggs?
The ideal time to consider egg freezing is between the ages of 25 and 35. During this period, women typically have a higher quantity and quality of eggs. Also, this can lead to better outcomes in future fertility treatments. Freezing eggs at a younger age increases the likelihood of successful fertilization. It also increases the chances to have a healthy pregnancy later on. Additionally, the quality and quantity of eggs decline with age, potentially reducing the chances of success. Therefore, many fertility specialists recommend undergoing the procedure before reaching 35 to maximize the potential benefits.
Minimum age limit for egg or oocyte freezing
In India, the legal framework permits women aged 21 to 38 to freeze their eggs. Freezing eggs at a younger age, particularly in the mid-20s to early 30s, is associated with higher success rates due to better egg quality. While some clinics may offer egg-freezing services to women beyond this age range, the effectiveness of the procedure declines significantly after 38. It’s essential for women considering egg freezing to consult with a certified fertility specialist to assess their individual circumstances and determine the most appropriate timing for the procedure.
In summary, while egg freezing offers a viable option for preserving fertility, the age at which the procedure is performed plays a crucial role in its success. Women are encouraged to consider this option earlier, ideally between 25 and 35, to enhance the likelihood of future reproductive success.
How much does egg freezing cost?
What is Egg freezing and its cost? The cost can vary depending on the clinic and where you are located. Since fertility centre fees and insurance coverage varies, it’s best to talk with your doctor. Additionally, you can have a talk with your health insurance company about the total expenses. However, if you have a serious health issue or a cancer diagnosis that can affect your fertility, you might get more financial coverage.
Generally the total cost covers the following points:
- Ultrasounds
- Medications
- Bloodwork
- Oocyte freezing procedure
- Egg retrieval process
- An annual frozen egg storage fees
Side effects of egg freezing
Understanding what is egg freezing and its side effects are important. Generally oocyte cryopreservation is considered effective and safe. However, there are some side effects that one should keep in mind while going through this procedure. Below are some of the side effects of oocyte freezing, including:
- Nausea and vomiting
- Mild bruising and soreness at the injection area
- Increased vaginal discharge and breast tenderness
- Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS)
- Fatigue and mood swings
- Allergic reactions such as itching or skin reddening at the injection area
- Breathing issues
- Painful urination
Note: There is no scientific evidence that oocyte cryopreservation increases the risk of cancer. The hormones to stimulate the ovaries to develop eggs for freezing are the same to those used in fertility treatments.
Final line
What is egg freezing? Egg freezing is the best way for a woman if she wants to delay having a baby until the right time. If you’re thinking of freezing eggs then it’s important to know the procedure, age limit, side effects, and cost. However, if you have any doubts or questions, it’s best to consult with your healthcare provider. They will help you with personalized advice based on your health history. You can also consult with our fertility specialist, Dr. Rita Bakshi at Risaa IVF for Egg Freezing
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):
Can you get pregnant after egg freezing?
Yes, there’s a possibility of getting pregnant after freezing your eggs.
Will I get periods if I freeze my eggs?
Freezing your eggs doesn’t stop periods. It doesn’t also have any long term effects other than the loss of some eggs.
Is egg retrieval painful?
Egg retrieval is a virtually tolerable procedure. However, there can be some side effects that can differ from person to person.
Can I freeze my eggs if I am virgin?
Yes, a person’s virginity status doesn’t get affected by the procedure of freezing eggs.