Everything You Need To Know About Egg Freezing

Did you know that by age 40, approximately 90% of a woman's eggs are naturally depleted? Egg freezing is quickly becoming a popular way to hit pause on the biological clock, with celebs including Priyanka Chopra, Emma Roberts, and Michaela Coel all talking about their egg freezing journey. 

Why the rise in popularity?  For starters, advancements in technology have opened up a multitude of options for family planning, not just for celebs and the ultra-rich, but for women all over the world. On top of that, many people are opting to start their families later in life, allowing time for career development before diving into parenthood. However, as we age, our natural fertility declines, making it more challenging to conceive. That's where egg freezing comes in. By freezing your eggs when you're young, you can extend the window of opportunity to conceive. Egg freezing also offers hope to people with medical conditions that may impact their fertility, such as undergoing chemotherapy or gender-affirming hormone treatment. Today, we're answering all your questions about egg freezing, helping you to make an informed decision about whether it's the right choice for you and your family planning journey.

What is egg freezing?

Egg freezing is a way to protect your fertility by collecting, freezing, and storing your eggs for future use when you're ready to have children. People choose to freeze their eggs for various reasons. It can be a smart move for individuals facing medical conditions like chemotherapy or undergoing gender-affirming treatments that might affect their ability to conceive later on. By freezing their eggs ahead of time, they can preserve their chances of starting a family. Additionally, egg freezing appeals to those who want to take their time before becoming parents. It allows them to focus on personal growth, career aspirations, or finding the right partner while still keeping the option of having biological children open in the future.

The process of egg freezing: from ovarian stimulation to egg retrieval

Ovarian stimulation

To prepare for egg freezing, the first step involves stimulating your ovaries to produce multiple eggs through the use of hormonal treatment. This typically involves a series of at-home injections for 10 to 12 days. While undergoing ovarian stimulation, it's common to experience hormonal fluctuations that can result in mood swings or changes in emotions. It's important to note that in some cases, a condition called ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) may occur. OHSS is characterized by enlarged ovaries and fluid accumulation in the abdomen, causing discomfort. Your doctor will closely monitor your response to the hormonal treatment to minimize the risk of OHSS and ensure your safety throughout the process.

Egg retrieval 

The process of egg retrieval is a minimally invasive surgical procedure in which the doctor uses a needle to extract the eggs from the ovaries. The procedure itself typically lasts about 10-20 minutes. After the retrieval, you will be monitored for a short period of time to ensure a smooth recovery. It's common to experience mild cramping or discomfort following the procedure, but these symptoms can be managed with over-the-counter pain relievers. The eggs are then evaluated by your doctor, who will tell you how many eggs were collected.

Freezing

Once the eggs have been collected, they are frozen using liquid nitrogen in a process called vitrification. This rapid freezing technique ensures that the eggs are preserved without the formation of ice crystals, which could damage their cellular structure. Following vitrification, the frozen eggs are carefully stored in specialized cryopreservation facilities until you are ready to utilize them. 

Thawing and fertilization

When the time comes to use the frozen eggs, they undergo a thawing process. To achieve fertilization, the thawed eggs are typically combined with sperm through either intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), where a single sperm is injected into each egg, or traditional in vitro fertilization (IVF) methods. Once fertilization occurs, the resulting embryos are monitored for development before being transferred to the uterus for potential implantation and subsequent pregnancy.

How long can frozen eggs be stored?

The duration for how long the clinic will store your eggs varies depending on each clinic’s policies. In general, eggs can be stored for several years, with many facilities offering storage options for up to 10 years before you have to renew your consent. If you don’t renew your consent, the clinic will remove your eggs and dispose of them. It’s important to consider the cost of storing your eggs, which can range from $500 to $1000 depending on your clinic.

If you decide that you no longer want to use your eggs, you can choose to donate them to another person who wants to start a family, donate them to research efforts, or simply dispose of them. 

How successful is egg freezing?

Egg freezing does not guarantee a future pregnancy. The success rate of egg freezing is influenced by two key factors: 

1. The age at which the eggs are extracted; ideally, freezing eggs before age 35 yields the highest chances of success. Frozen eggs from younger women tend to have better fertilization potential compared to fresh eggs from older women.

2. The number of eggs collected; collecting a larger number of eggs is associated with improved outcomes. A study indicated that if 20 eggs are extracted and frozen from women under 35, there is a 94.4% chance of achieving at least one live birth. 

These findings highlight the significance of considering age and the number of eggs retrieved when assessing the potential success of egg freezing.

How much does egg freezing cost?

The cost of the egg freezing process depends on various factors, including your location, the clinic or fertility center, and additional services required. On average, the cost of egg freezing ranges from $5,000 to $10,000 per cycle. However, it's important to note that this cost does not include additional expenses such as consultation fees, medications for ovarian stimulation, anesthesia, storage fees for frozen eggs, and subsequent fertility treatments when you decide to use the frozen eggs in the future. Some insurance companies don’t cover egg freezing for non-medical reasons, so it’s important to discuss it with your doctor and insurance company to understand how much the process will cost.

The emotional considerations of egg freezing

Deciding to freeze your eggs can be an emotional journey. It's important to acknowledge and address any concerns or anxieties you may have along the way. Seeking support from friends, family, or even counseling services can provide a valuable outlet for discussing your feelings and gaining perspective.

The takeaway

Egg freezing is a powerful tool in modern family planning, offering you the opportunity to take control of your reproductive future. Whether you’re motivated by career aspirations, medical concerns, or personal circumstances, egg freezing can preserve your fertility and extend the timeline for starting a family. By understanding the process, potential risks, success rates, and associated costs, you can make an informed decision that aligns with your unique circumstances and goals. 

Would you consider egg freezing? Let us know in the comments!

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