Egg freezing has gained popularity as a fertility preservation method as more and more people decide to put off having children for various reasons. Women often choose to freeze their eggs to ensure that they will have the option of having children later in life. Before making this choice, it is crucial to comprehend the procedure and the things to consider, even if egg freezing can be a helpful solution.
Hormonal stimulation, egg retrieval, freezing, and egg storage are all part of the intricate process of egg freezing. The success rate and cost depend on a woman's age and the quantity of frozen eggs. Thus, while deciding to freeze your eggs, it is crucial to carefully evaluate many variables, including your age, medical history, budget, and emotional concerns.
In an interaction with OnlyMyHealth, Dr Malti Madhu, Apollo Fertility, Noida(Delhi NCR), explained the process of egg freezing.
The Process Of Egg Freezing
The egg-freezing process involves several steps, including hormonal stimulation, egg retrieval, and storage.
Hormonal Stimulation
The procedure usually starts with hormonal stimulation. In order to encourage the ovaries to generate more eggs, hormone injections will be administered to women over the course of 10 to 14 days. To ensure the best moment for egg retrieval, women throughout this time must regularly check their hormone levels using blood tests and ultrasounds.
Also read: Egg Freezing: 7 things You Need To Know About About Egg Freezing From A Specialist
Egg Retrieval
During egg maturation, a minimally invasive procedure called egg retrieval is carried out while sedated. A tiny needle is used to remove the eggs from the ovaries. Most women can resume their normal activities within a few days after the procedure, which typically lasts 20 minutes and is generally well-tolerated.
Egg Freezing
After being collected, eggs are meticulously prepared and frozen in liquid nitrogen at a specific temperature. This method keeps eggs in good condition. Before the woman's use, the eggs might be kept in storage for a number of years.
Thawing and Fertilization: Not all eggs will survive the freezing and thawing process, and there is a small risk of damage to the eggs during this time. Therefore, it is recommended that women freeze multiple eggs to increase the chances of a successful pregnancy in the future.
Things To Know Before Egg Freezing
Age Matters
The younger you are while freezing your eggs, the more your chances of having a successful pregnancy increase. Women in their 20s and early 30s tend to have healthier and more viable eggs than those in their late 30s and 40s. Because of this, older women's success rates with frozen eggs are lower, and they could require additional egg freezing to get pregnant.
The Process Can be Expensive
Depending on the clinic, the number of frozen eggs, and other considerations, egg freezing might be expensive. In addition to the surgery itself, there can be extra charges for things like medication, storage, and thawing. Thus, in order to choose a clinic that suits your demands and budget, it is crucial to conduct research on them and compare them.
Medical History
When freezing your eggs, it's crucial to consider your medical history. Egg freezing success rates may be reduced in women with a history of reproductive health problems such as endometriosis, polycystic ovary syndrome, or prior ovarian surgery.
Also read: 5 Indian Celebs Who Opted For Egg Freezing
Emotional Consideration
Egg freezing can be an emotionally challenging process. It is essential to consider the psychological impact of egg freezing and have a support system throughout the process.
For women who want to safeguard their fertility in the future, freezing their eggs can be a helpful choice. It can be a liberating decision for women who wish to take charge of their fertility and family planning options with careful thought and planning. Also, age, medical history, expense, and other relevant aspects should all be properly taken into account.
