Egg Freezing

Egg freezing (oocyte cryopreservation) is a process where a woman’s eggs are extracted from her ovaries, frozen, and stored for future use. This allows individuals to preserve their fertility for:

• Delaying childbearing for personal or career reasons.
• Medical treatments that may affect fertility (e.g., chemotherapy).
• Health conditions like endometriosis or premature ovarian insufficiency.

Key Steps in the Process

1. Consultation & Testing:
   1. Blood tests (hormone levels, ovarian reserve).
   1. Ultrasound to assess ovary health.
2. Ovarian Stimulation:
   1. Daily hormone injections for 10–14 days to stimulate egg production.
3. Egg Retrieval:
   1. Minor surgical procedure under sedation (15–30 minutes).
   1. Eggs are collected via a thin needle guided by ultrasound.
4. Freezing (Vitrification):
   1. Eggs are rapidly frozen and stored in liquid nitrogen.

Success Rates

• Age matters: Eggs frozen before age 35 have higher success rates.
• Live birth rates: ~2–12% per thawed egg, depending on age at freezing.
• No guarantee: Success depends on egg quality, quantity, and future IVF outcomes.

Risks & Considerations

• Physical Risks:
  • Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) – rare but serious.
  • Discomfort, bloating, or bruising from injections/procedure.
• Emotional Impact: Stress, anxiety, or unrealistic expectations.
• Financial Cost: cycle treatment plus annual storage fees.

Who Should Consider Egg Freezing?

• Women aged <35 (optimal time) or <40 (diminished returns).
• Those facing:
  • Cancer treatment.
  • Surgery affecting ovaries.
  • Family history of early menopause.
  • Personal choice to delay parenthood.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How long can eggs be stored?
A: UK law allows storage for up to 55 years (updated 2022), with clinic consent.

Q: Does freezing eggs affect future children’s health?
A: No increased risk of birth defects reported.

Q: Can I use my eggs later?
A: Eggs are thawed, fertilized with sperm (IVF), and transferred as embryos.

Q: What if I don’t use my frozen eggs?
A: You can donate, discard, or keep them stored (fees apply).

Q: Are there age limits for IVF with frozen eggs?
A: Most UK clinics set a limit of age 50 for embryo transfer.

eGynaecologist Advice:

• You should seek counselling services provided by fertility clinics if you are considering egg freezing.
• You should explore funding options (e.g., medical egg freezing may be NHS-funded) if you need financial support for this procedure
• You should consider Time Commitment of 2–4 weeks per cycle of egg freezing and discuss it with the fertility specialist.