Freezing Eggs: There may be changes both in society and in childbearing habits. The basic fundamentals of fertility, however, remain constant. Menopause often begins in your late 40s or early 50s. A woman’s fertility declines in the years leading up to menopause. It is more difficult for older women to get pregnant than for younger ones.
Women considering freezing their eggs should be aware that frozen eggs are less likely than fresh eggs to result in successful pregnancies. However, using frozen eggs may increase the possibility of getting pregnant later.
We look at the process, expense, and benefits of freezing eggs in this article.
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In an interview with Zee English, Dr. Prasad Kuvalekar, Consultant Internal Medicine Physician at DPU Private Super Specialty Hospital, shares all about egg freezing and all that it entails.
What is egg freezing?
Egg freezing, also known as egg cryopreservation, is a medical procedure that allows women to save their eggs for future use. The process involves extracting a woman’s eggs from her ovaries, freezing them, and storing them for an extended period of time.
Frozen eggs can be thawed, fertilized with sperm in a lab through a process called in vitro fertilization (IVF), and then transferred to the woman’s uterus to achieve pregnancy. Egg freezing can be beneficial for several reasons.
It offers women the opportunity to preserve their fertility when they are not ready to have children but want to increase their chances of having a biological child later in life. It is commonly chosen by women who wish to delay childbearing for various personal, medical or professional reasons, such as pursuing a career, undergoing medical treatments that may affect fertility, such as cancer treatments, or not having any suitable partner.
Egg Freezing Procedure
The egg freezing process generally includes the following steps:
Ovarian stimulation- The woman undergoes hormone injections to stimulate the ovaries and promote the development of multiple eggs instead of the usual single egg that is released each month.
Egg Retrieval- Once the eggs reach maturity, they are retrieved through a minor surgical procedure called transvaginal ultrasonic aspiration. A thin needle is inserted into the ovaries, guided by ultrasound, to collect the eggs.
Frozen– The eggs are then carefully frozen using a technique called vitrification. Vitrification involves rapidly cooling the eggs to extremely low temperatures, which prevents the formation of ice crystals that could damage the eggs.
Storage– Frozen eggs are stored in specialized cryopreservation facilities, usually in liquid nitrogen tanks, to maintain their viability over a long period of time.
Thawing and Fertilizing- When the woman decides to use her frozen eggs, they are thawed and the viable ones are fertilized with sperm in a lab through IVF. This can involve either conventional IVF, where the sperm is placed in a box with the eggs, or intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), where a single sperm is injected directly into each egg.
Embryo transfer- After fertilization, the embryos thus obtained are cultured for a few days in the laboratory. Then one or more embryos are transferred to the woman’s uterus, in hopes of a successful pregnancy.
How safe is egg freezing?
Egg freezing is generally considered safe and the procedure has been performed successfully for several decades. However, it is important to note that, like any medical procedure, there are potential risks and considerations associated with egg freezing.
Here are some things to consider:
Potential side effects
The ovarian stimulation process, which involves hormonal injections to stimulate egg production, can cause temporary side effects such as bloating, breast tenderness, mood swings, and mild discomfort.
In rare cases, there can be more serious complications such as ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHS), a condition characterized by enlargement of the ovaries and fluid buildup in the abdomen. OHSS is usually managed with close supervision and support from medical professionals.
Egg Retrieval Risks
The egg retrieval procedure is performed under anesthesia and although it is generally considered safe, there are risks associated with any surgery. These risks include bleeding, infection, damage to surrounding tissues or organs, and adverse reactions to anesthesia. However, serious complications from egg retrieval are rare.
Efficiency
The success of egg freezing depends on a variety of factors, primarily the woman’s age at the time of egg retrieval. Generally, the younger the woman, the higher the chances of success. Older women may have fewer eggs available and egg quality may decline, which may affect the success of future pregnancies.
Ethical considerations
There may be ethical concerns surrounding the use of assisted reproductive technologies, including egg freezing. These concerns may vary according to cultural, religious and personal beliefs. It is important for individuals to consider their values and consult with a healthcare provider to address any ethical concerns they may have.