Understanding egg freezing: Empowering women to preserve fertility
Written in association with:Egg freezing, or oocyte cryopreservation, is a medical procedure that allows women to preserve their eggs for future use. This innovative fertility option offers women greater control over their reproductive choices, enabling them to delay parenthood for personal, professional, or medical reasons. As technology advances, egg freezing has become an increasingly reliable option, empowering individuals to plan their families on their own terms.
How egg freezing works
The process begins with ovarian stimulation, where hormonal medications encourage the ovaries to produce multiple mature eggs. During this phase, regular monitoring through blood tests and ultrasounds ensures optimal egg development.
Once the eggs are ready, a minor surgical procedure called egg retrieval is performed. Using ultrasound guidance, a thin needle is inserted through the vaginal wall to collect the eggs from the ovaries.
The retrieved eggs are then flash-frozen using a technique called vitrification, which prevents ice crystal formation and preserves the eggs' cellular integrity. These frozen eggs can be stored for many years and later thawed for fertilisation and implantation through in vitro fertilisation (IVF) when the individual is ready to conceive.
Who can benefit from egg freezing?
Egg freezing is a valuable option for women who want to delay childbearing due to career, education, or personal goals. It is also recommended for individuals undergoing medical treatments, such as chemotherapy or radiation, that may affect fertility. Women with a family history of early menopause or other fertility-related concerns may also consider egg freezing to safeguard their reproductive potential.
Considerations and success rates
While egg freezing offers hope, it is important to understand its limitations. Success rates depend on factors such as the woman’s age at the time of freezing and the number of eggs stored. Generally, eggs frozen before age 35 have a higher likelihood of resulting in successful pregnancies.
Egg freezing is a revolutionary option that aligns with the modern lifestyle, granting women the freedom to prioritise their life goals without compromising the possibility of future motherhood. With proper counseling and guidance, this procedure can be a significant step toward reproductive empowerment.
