Egg Freezing

Egg Freezing (Oocyte Cryopreservation)

 What is egg freezing and why is it done?

Egg freezing, or oocyte cryopreservation, is a breakthrough technology that allows women to preserve their fertility by freezing their eggs for future use. The eggs are retrieved, frozen using advanced techniques, and can later be used for IVF to conceive at a time of the woman’s choosing. It’s especially helpful for women who wish to delay childbearing or face medical conditions affecting fertility, like cancer treatment or early menopause.

 Who should consider egg freezing?

Egg freezing is an ideal option for:

    - Women diagnosed with cancer, who need to preserve their eggs before undergoing chemotherapy or radiation.

    - Individuals undergoing IVF who prefer freezing eggs instead of embryos for ethical or religious reasons.

    - Women without a partner or those delaying childbearing for personal, educational, or career reasons.

    - Women with a family history of early menopause, preserving eggs before fertility declines.

    - Those who want to secure better-quality eggs by freezing them at a younger age.

What is the process for egg retrieval?

The egg retrieval process involves:

    - 10–15 days of hormone injections to stimulate the ovaries to produce multiple eggs.

    - Retrieval of eggs using a transvaginal approach under anesthesia, ensuring no cuts or pain.

    - The collected eggs are immediately frozen for future use.

 How are eggs frozen and stored?

Eggs are frozen using cryoprotectants, which replace water within the cell to prevent ice crystal formation that could damage the egg. Once dehydrated, the eggs are vitrified (fast-frozen) and stored in specialized IVF labs for as long as needed.

How are frozen eggs used to create embryos later?

When the woman is ready to conceive, her uterus is prepared with medications. The frozen eggs are thawed and fertilized using a technique called Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI), where a single sperm is injected directly into the egg. The resulting embryos are then transferred to the uterus to achieve pregnancy.

Are babies born from frozen eggs healthy?

Studies show that babies conceived from frozen eggs have no increased risk of birth defects or chromosomal abnormalities compared to babies conceived naturally. The process is safe and reliable, with outcomes consistent with natural conception.

Egg freezing is a revolutionary option, empowering women with more control over their reproductive choices and offering hope for future parenthood.