The egg freezing process is one of the most empowering fertility options for women. Whether you want to focus on your career, find the right partner or just preserve your fertility for the future.
To gain a better understanding of how the egg freezing process works, we will take you through each step of the procedure, including what you can expect and/or if egg freezing will be right for you.
What is Egg Freezing?
Egg freezing (also referred to as oocyte cryopreservation) is the medical term for the collection, freezing, and storage of your mature eggs until needed at some time in the future. With developments in vitrification technology come advances in the number of years an egg can be preserved and still maintain its quality.
Why Do Women Freeze Their Eggs?
Reasons for freezing eggs are varied:
- To preserve fertility so women can focus on career or personal goals.
- They don’t have to hurry to find the right partner.
- Flexibility to have children despite age.
- In case of health altering medical treatments like chemotherapy.
- To increase chances of having biological children in future.
Egg freezing offers reproductive freedom. It gives women more control over their future family planning.
Who is a Good Candidate for Egg Freezing?
Typically :
- Women aged between 27-38 looking to preserve fertility
- Women that have reduced ovarian egg reserve or family history of early menopause
- Women who have to undergo medical treatments that can affect their fertility
- Women who want to secure healthier eggs before age-related quality decline
When it comes to egg quality, age has strong implications. Many fertility experts consider freezing before 35 for the best outcome.
Egg Freezing Process: Step-by-Step
The egg freezing procedure generally takes 10-14 days. The steps are as follows:
Step 1: Initial Consultation & Fertility Assessment
Your journey starts with a consultation with a fertility specialist. It includes:
- Ultrasound to check ovarian egg reserve
- Blood tests for hormonal levels
- Medical history review
At Luma fertility, based on these results, our doctors tailor your egg freezing process time and stimulation plan.
Step 2: Ovarian Stimulation with Hormone Injections
For about 10-12 days, you will take hormone injections to stimulate your ovaries to produce multiple mature eggs instead of only one at a time.
It is a standard step in how egg freezing works. More eggs increase the chances of future pregnancy.
During this phase:
- Injections are taken daily
- Bloating or mild discomfort might be there
- Daily monitoring of follicle growth
Step 3: Monitoring Follicle Growth
Regular ultrasounds and blood tests are used to track how the follicles are responding. Based on this, medications are adjusted to ensure proper egg development.
Step 4: Egg Retrieval Procedure
After the follicles reach the ideal size, a trigger shot is given. The egg retrieval is scheduled 34-36 hours later. It is a key part of the egg freezing procedure.
During the procedure:
- Light sedation
- Thin needle is used to get eggs through vaginal ultrasound guidance
- Takes about 10-20 minutes
- Recovery is quick, within a few hours
Step 5: Freezing and Storage
After retrieval, the mature eggs are frozen using vitrification. It is a rapid freezing process that prevents ice crystal formation.
Frozen eggs are stored for years until you are ready to use them. This is the correct way to freeze eggs according to global fertility standards.
Risks and Side Effects of Egg Freezing
Egg freezing is generally safe but minor risks are as follows:
- Temporary bloating/cramping
- Mild discomfort due to hormone stimulation
- Rarely ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS)
- Sore Breasts
- Hormonal shifts can cause temporary hot flashes
The advancement in medicine has significantly reduced risks, especially under experienced fertility specialists.
When and How to Use Frozen Eggs
Whenever you decide to use the frozen eggs, they are thawed and fertilized using IVF (in vitro fertilization)
Here is how you conceive after freezing eggs:
- Eggs are thawed
- Sperm fertilizes the egg (usually through ICSI)
- Embryos are monitored for development
- Healthy embryo is transferred to the uterus
Usually, success depends on age at the time of freezing, egg quality and sperm health.
Conclusion
As the chances of pregnancy decline with age for women, egg freezing allows women to take control of their reproductive future. Understanding the egg freezing process allows you to make an informed choice
If you are considering fertility preservation, a consultation with a fertility specialist from Luma fertility can help determine the right plan based on your age, goals and reproductive health.
FAQs
- What are the steps for egg freezing?
A. There are 5 steps in egg freezing: consultation, ovarian stimulation, monitoring, egg retrieval and freezing through vitrification - How long does egg freezing take from start to finish?
A. The entire egg freezing process takes about 2-3 weeks. - Do you still get periods if you freeze your eggs?
A. Yes, egg freezing does not affect your menstrual cycle. - How do you conceive after freezing eggs?
A. Usually frozen eggs are thawed and fertilized through IVF. The embryos are transferred to the uterus. - How many eggs do I need to freeze for 2 kids?
A. Typically, doctors recommend freezing 15-20 eggs to aim for two children, especially after the age of 35.
