Egg Freezing: Pros, Cons, Preparation Tips, and Addressing Common Concerns
Considering egg freezing? Dr Simon Nothman explains the pros and cons, preparation steps, and addresses common concerns in this comprehensive guide to fertility preservation.
Egg freezing, or oocyte cryopreservation, is becoming an increasingly popular option for women looking to preserve their fertility for the future. Whether you're not quite ready to start a family or are concerned about age-related fertility decline, egg freezing offers a potential solution. Like any significant life decision, egg freezing comes with its own set of considerations and factors to weigh.
In this blog, Genea Fertility Physician Dr Simon Nothman will explore the biology of egg freezing, discuss its pros and cons, explain how to prepare for the process, and address some common concerns that many women have.
Biology in brief
Every female is born with all the eggs she’ll ever have, housed in structures called follicles — about 1 million at birth, a number which has already dropped to ~100,000 by adolescence. However, only about 500 will ever undergo ovulation. At any time, a cohort of follicles develops to become “antral follicles,” competing to ovulate. The rest of the cohort deteriorates and dies. The aim of egg freezing is to take advantage of the follicles that would otherwise have been lost, preserving them for the future. This means we are not extracting eggs that could have resulted in natural pregnancies, but rather saving those that would have been lost.
The pros and cons of egg freezing
Before diving into the details, it’s important to weigh the pros and cons of egg freezing to determine if it’s the right choice for you.
Pros of egg freezing
- Preserving fertility: One of the most significant advantages is that egg freezing allows you to preserve your fertility for a later time, which can be especially beneficial if you're not ready to start a family.
- Flexibility: Egg freezing gives you the flexibility to delay pregnancy until you feel more prepared, whether for personal, professional, or health reasons. It provides peace of mind (though not an absolute guarantee) that enables you to live life on your terms.
- Avoiding age-related decline: By freezing your eggs while you’re younger, you can potentially avoid the complications associated with age-related fertility decline, improving the chances of a successful pregnancy and reducing risks of miscarriage, Down syndrome, and other age-related complications.
Cons of egg freezing
- Cost: While egg freezing can be a valuable investment in your future fertility, it’s important to be aware of its associated costs, including initial treatment costs, ongoing storage fees, and potential future expenses for IVF procedures. Genea understands these financial considerations and offers flexible payment plans of up to 24 months interest-free* on egg freezing, IVF, and other fertility treatments to make all fertility services more accessible.
- No guarantee: Freezing your eggs can increase your chances of pregnancy later on, though it’s important to note that 100% success can’t be guaranteed. Some eggs may not survive the freezing and thawing process, and not all fertilised eggs will result in pregnancy.
- Medical risks: The process involves hormone injections and an egg retrieval procedure, both of which are generally safe but carry some uncommon risks, such as ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) or complications from the retrieval itself.
- Emotional considerations: The decision to freeze eggs can be emotionally complex, involving considerations about your future, health, and family planning goals. Genea has a team of fertility counsellors should you need additional emotional support and are available to provide you with guidance and support throughout the process.
How to prepare for egg freezing
If you’ve decided that egg freezing might be right for you, preparation is key to ensuring the process goes as smoothly as possible.
Step 1: Consult with a Fertility Specialist
The first step is to have an in-depth consultation with a Fertility Specialist. They’ll evaluate your reproductive health, discuss your fertility goals, and help you understand what to expect from the egg freezing process.
Step 2: Undergo fertility testing
Before proceeding, you’ll need to undergo several fertility tests, including hormone testing, ultrasound to assess ovarian reserves, and possibly other tests to ensure you're a good candidate for egg freezing.
Step 3: Consider the timing
Timing is crucial in egg freezing. Although eggs can be frozen at any time, younger eggs generally are of better quality and quantity. However, the best time to freeze your eggs is a personal decision that depends on various factors, including your age, health, and family planning goals.
Step 4: Financial planning
Egg freezing can be a significant investment, so it’s important to plan financially. Our Fertility Concierge is available to provide you with detailed information about treatment costs, payment options, and available payment plans. Connect with a Fertility Concierge here to learn more.
Step 5: Prepare for the procedure
The process of egg freezing involves hormone injections to stimulate your ovaries, followed by an egg retrieval procedure. We will provide detailed instructions, but it’s helpful to prepare yourself mentally and physically for the process. This might include adjusting your schedule for appointments, arranging time off work, and ensuring you have support during and after the procedure.
Addressing common concerns about egg freezing
It’s natural to have concerns about egg freezing. Here are answers to some of the most common questions and worries.
How successful is egg freezing?
The success of egg freezing depends on several factors, including your age at the time of freezing and the number of eggs retrieved. Younger eggs tend to have a higher chance of leading to a successful pregnancy, but it’s important to remember that no fertility treatment offers a 100% guarantee.
Will the hormone injections affect my health?
Hormone injections are a key part of the egg freezing process, and while they’re generally safe, they do come with some risks. The most common side effects are bloating, mood swings, and discomfort at the injection site. In rare cases, ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) can occur, which can cause more severe symptoms and may require medical attention.
How long can eggs be frozen?
Eggs can be frozen indefinitely, and it seems the success rate of using frozen eggs doesn’t decline significantly with time. This means you can choose to use them whenever you’re ready without worrying about the quality diminishing.
What if I don't use my frozen eggs?
If you decide not to use your frozen eggs, there are a few options available. You can choose to keep them in storage, donate them to another woman or couple, or have them discarded. It’s a deeply personal decision that you can discuss with your Fertility Specialist.
Is egg freezing right for me?
Deciding whether egg freezing is right for you depends on your individual circumstances, including your age, fertility goals, health, and lifestyle. A consultation with a Fertility Specialist can help you weigh the pros and cons based on your specific situation.
Wrapping it up
Egg freezing offers a promising option for women who want to preserve their fertility, but it’s not without its complexities. By understanding the pros and cons, preparing properly, and addressing your concerns, you can make a more informed decision about whether this option aligns with your future family plans. Remember, this decision is personal, and consulting with a Fertility Specialist can provide the guidance and support you need to navigate this journey.
Disclaimer: Please note that this is a Genea Group blog and as such information may not be relevant for all clinics. We advise that you consult clinics directly for further information.
Questions about your fertility challenges?
Please feel free to contact us at any time and one of our Fertility Concierge would be happy to answer your questions.
FAQs
In terms of egg quality and quantity, the ideal age range is typically in your late 20s to early 30s, but it varies depending on individual circumstances.
This will depend on the age at which you freeze your eggs, their quality, and how many children you would like to have in future. It’s generally recommended to freeze around 20-30 eggs to increase your chances of a successful pregnancy, but this can vary.
Yes, egg freezing doesn’t affect your ability to conceive naturally in the future. Because we are making use of eggs that would have died otherwise, egg collection and freezing doesn’t have a negative impact on future ovarian function and fertility.
No, while it increases the chances, it doesn’t guarantee a pregnancy.
The procedure is typically done under sedation, so you shouldn’t feel pain during the retrieval, but you may experience some discomfort afterward. Simple pain relief is usually adequate.
