The decision to freeze one’s eggs is a personal one and can be influenced by a variety of reasons. Women who may want to delay pregnancy due to career goals, medical reasons, or other personal reasons may consider freezing their eggs. Freezing eggs is a viable option for women who want to preserve their fertility and increase their chances of having a baby in the future.
If you're considering egg freezing, here's everything you need to know about the process, its success rate, and what to expect.
Egg freezing, also known as oocyte cryopreservation, is a process in which a woman's eggs are retrieved, frozen, and stored for future use. The eggs are typically retrieved after a process called ovarian stimulation, in which fertility drugs are given to stimulate the ovaries to produce multiple eggs. Once the eggs have matured, they are retrieved using a needle (through vagina) and stored after freezing in Cryotanks.
The different reasons for considering egg freezing vary from person to person, but the most common reasons are:
Egg freezing begins with an initial consultation with a fertility specialist. The doctor will evaluate your medical history, conduct a physical examination, and order some tests to determine if you are a good candidate for egg freezing.
The next step is ovarian stimulation, which involves taking hormonal injections for about two weeks to stimulate the ovaries to produce multiple eggs. During this process, the doctor will monitor your hormone levels and perform ultrasounds to monitor the development of the eggs.
Once the eggs have matured, the doctor will perform an egg retrieval procedure. The procedure is performed under anesthesia, and the eggs are collected using a needle that is inserted through the vagina and into the ovaries. The collected eggs are then taken to the laboratory where they are frozen and stored.
The success rate of egg freezing depends on various factors, including the age of the woman at the time of egg retrieval, the number of eggs retrieved, and the quality of the eggs. The younger the woman, the higher the success rate of the procedure. According to the American Society of Reproductive Medicine, the chances of having a live birth using frozen eggs vary from 30-50% per egg retrieval cycle.
Egg freezing is not a very expensive procedure. The cost of egg freezing varies from clinic to clinic, but the average cost of one egg freezing cycle in India is approximately 1.5-2lakhs. This cost includes the cost of fertility drugs, egg retrieval, and storage fees.
Though it is a very safe and simple procedure but like any medical procedure, egg freezing has risks. The most common potential risk associated with egg freezing is ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS). OHSS can occur when the ovaries over-respond to fertility drugs and produce too many eggs, causing the ovaries to become swollen and painful.
Other risks associated with egg freezing include infection, bleeding, and damage to the ovaries during the retrieval process. There is also a slight risk of the eggs not surviving the freezing and thawing process.
Egg freezing is an excellent option for women who want to preserve their fertility and increase their chances of having a baby in the future. The process of egg freezing is safe and straightforward, but it is essential to consult with a fertility specialist to determine if you are a good candidate for the procedure.
