Egg Freezing: Who is it For?

Egg freezing (oocyte cryopreservation) is a modern technique allowing women to extend their fertility into later years. Once experimental, it has become standard with the development of vitrification (rapid freezing).

Why Freeze Eggs?

Medical Reasons

• Before chemotherapy or radiotherapy
• Family history of premature ovarian failure
• Patients planning ovarian surgery (endometrioma, cysts)
• Heavy immunosuppressive treatment for autoimmune disease

Social Reasons

• Not yet finding a suitable partner
• Career or education goals
• Personal and financial readiness
• "I'm not ready now but want children in the future"

Ideal Age Range

Eggs are highest in both quantity and quality before age 30. Success rates remain high up to 35; significant decline begins after 38. Possible up to 40+ but with lower success.

How Does It Work?

1. Evaluation: AMH, FSH, antral follicle count for ovarian reserve
2. Stimulation: hormone injections for 10-12 days
3. Monitoring: ultrasound and hormone levels every 2-3 days
4. Trigger shot: when eggs reach maturity
5. OPU: egg retrieval under light sedation (15-20 min)
6. Vitrification: mature eggs frozen at -196°C

How Many Eggs Should Be Stored?

For a single future pregnancy, an average of 10-15 mature eggs is targeted. This number should be higher with advancing age. Multiple cycles may be recommended if needed.

Success Rates

Post-thaw viability is around 85-90%. Future pregnancy chance depends on age at freezing — substantially better when frozen before 35.

Side Effects

Generally well-tolerated. Possible transient effects:

• Bloating, mild abdominal pain
• Injection site redness
• Rarely ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS)

Storage Duration

Eggs can technically be stored for many years. Local regulations typically allow 5-year initial storage, renewable.

Egg freezing is a personal decision requiring careful evaluation. If you'd like to keep your future options open, talk to your doctor.