What is Egg Freezing?
Egg freezing is an excellent option for women who want to preserve their fertility for the future. This safe, reliable, and cost-effective method allows women to store their eggs until they are ready to conceive. Egg freezing can delay childbearing, increase the chances of successful conception, and eliminate the need for donor eggs. With this technology, women can take control of their reproductive health and confidently plan for the future.
Benefits of Egg Freezing
- Improved Fertility: Preserves a woman’s fertility, increasing the chances of successful pregnancy later in life.
- Autonomy Over Reproductive Health: Provides women with more control over their reproductive choices.
- Insurance Against Age-Related Infertility: Acts as a safeguard against the natural decline in fertility with age.
- Flexibility: Allows women to delay childbearing until they are emotionally, financially, or professionally ready.
- Reduced Risk of Genetic Diseases: Helps lower the risk of passing genetic conditions from mother to child.
How Are Eggs Stored for Freezing?
The process of egg freezing involves several critical steps to ensure the quality and safety of the eggs:
Extraction: Eggs are harvested from the ovaries.
Freezing: The eggs are then carefully cooled to preserve their viability.
Storage: Eggs are stored in a controlled environment, typically in cryogenic tanks filled with liquid nitrogen.
Labelling and Monitoring: Proper labelling and constant temperature monitoring are essential to prevent contamination and ensure the eggs remain viable.
With meticulous care during the freezing and storage process, women can be confident that their eggs will remain healthy for future use.
Ideal Age for Egg Freezing
Deciding when to freeze eggs is a significant decision. While it varies for each woman, it is generally recommended to freeze eggs before the age of 35. After 35, fertility begins to decline more rapidly, reducing the chances of successful egg freezing. Women should consider their family planning goals and discuss them with a fertility specialist to determine the best time for egg freezing.
Success Rate of Egg Freezing
The success rate of egg freezing largely depends on the age at which the eggs were frozen. Eggs frozen before the age of 38 have a success rate of over 50%. Advances in technology over the past decade have significantly improved the outcomes of egg freezing procedures.