Egg freezing, medically referred to as oocyte freezing, is a process in which a woman’s eggs are collected, frozen, and stored for future use. This procedure preserves the eggs in a viable state for fertilization at a later time, allowing women to conceive when they are ready.
The egg freezing process involves several carefully monitored steps that ensure safety and efficiency:
In order to encourage the ovaries to generate many eggs rather than the typical single egg every cycle, hormonal drugs are given for 10–14 days. As a result, there are more eggs accessible for freezing.
Once the eggs reach maturity, they are retrieved using a minimally invasive procedure called transvaginal ultrasound-guided egg retrieval. This is performed under mild sedation to ensure comfort.
The process known as vitrification is used to freeze the gathered eggs. By using this quick-freezing technique, ice crystals that can harm the eggs are avoided.
A safe, temperature-controlled facility is used to keep the frozen eggs. Until the lady chooses to use them, they may continue to be viable for a number of years.
Egg freezing offers several advantages, including:
When you decide to start a family, the frozen eggs can be thawed, fertilized using in-vitro fertilization (IVF), and implanted into your uterus to achieve pregnancy.
Egg freezing is a highly personal decision, often recommended for:
At Life Plus Hospital, we are dedicated to making the egg freezing process safe, effective, and stress-free. Here’s why you should choose us:
Our fertility specialists have extensive experience in egg freezing and fertility preservation.
We employ cutting-edge techniques like vitrification for optimal results.
Every patient receives a customized fertility plan tailored to their unique needs.
Our compassionate team is here to provide guidance and encouragement throughout the process.
Preserving your fertility through egg freezing is a proactive step toward securing your future. The earlier you take this step, the higher your chances of success. Contact Life Plus Hospital today to schedule a consultation with our fertility experts and explore your options for planning your family on your own timeline.
Egg freezing is the process of extracting a woman’s eggs, freezing them, and storing them for future use. This procedure allows women to preserve their fertility for later in life, providing the option to have children at a time when they may face age-related fertility challenges.
Egg freezing involves several steps:
Eggs can be stored indefinitely. There is no legal limit on how long eggs can be frozen in most countries, though some fertility clinics have their own policies regarding storage duration. The success of thawing and using frozen eggs depends on the quality of the eggs at the time of freezing.
The success of using frozen eggs depends on several factors, including:
On average, the success rates of using frozen eggs are generally lower than those of fresh eggs. However, for women who freeze their eggs before the age of 35, the success rates tend to be better.
The egg freezing process itself is generally not painful, though some women experience discomfort during the ovarian stimulation phase due to hormone injections. The egg retrieval procedure is done under sedation, so most women do not feel pain, though mild cramping or bloating may occur afterward.
Before starting egg freezing, you will undergo a series of tests to assess your ovarian reserve, such as:
Preparation typically includes:
Yes, egg freezing can be an option for women with medical conditions such as cancer or other diseases that may impact fertility, especially if they are undergoing treatments like chemotherapy or radiation.
The entire egg freezing process typically takes about 2-3 weeks.
Once your eggs are retrieved and frozen, they are stored in a cryopreservation facility. The eggs remain in storage until you are ready to use them. When you are ready to attempt pregnancy, the eggs will be thawed, fertilized with sperm (via IVF), and the resulting embryos will be transferred into your uterus.
Yes, frozen eggs are commonly used in IVF.
While it is technically possible to freeze eggs at any age, fertility specialists generally recommend freezing eggs before the age of 35, as egg quality and quantity begin to decline with age.