Doctors for Egg Freezing

Egg freezing, also known as oocyte cryopreservation, is a medical procedure in which a woman's eggs are harvested, cryopreserved (frozen), and stored for future use. This technique enables women to preserve their fertility by allowing them to have the option of using their frozen eggs for assisted reproductive technologies, such as in vitro fertilization (IVF), at a later time.

By freezing the eggs at a younger age when they are more viable, women can increase their chances of achieving a pregnancy in the future, even if their natural fertility declines. Egg freezing offers flexibility and empowerment for women who wish to delay childbearing for various personal or medical reasons.

Women opt for egg freezing for various reasons, including:

• Delayed Childbearing: Women choose to freeze their eggs to preserve the potential for future conception, driven by personal or professional factors such as pursuing education, career advancement, or finding the right partner.
• Reproductive Health Conditions: Certain disorders like endometriosis, uterine fibroids or polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) can impact a woman's fertility. Freezing eggs provides a backup plan if natural conception becomes challenging.
• Transgender Care and Reproductive Options: Gender-affirming treatments may impact reproductive abilities, making egg freezing a viable option for preserving embryos, eggs, or sperm before treatment.
• Medical Reasons: Women undergoing medical treatments like chemotherapy or radiation therapy, which may negatively affect fertility, opt to freeze their eggs to preserve their ability to have biological children after treatment. Some of these conditions are:
1. Cancer and Egg freezing: Chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and cancer surgery may impact fertility, leading women to opt for egg freezing.
2. Autoimmune Diseases and Fertility Challenges: Conditions like lupus and rheumatoid arthritis, along with their treatments, can affect fertility, prompting women to consider egg freezing.
• Age-related Fertility Decline: As women age, both fertility and egg quality decline. Freezing eggs at a younger age allows women to store healthier eggs for future use, increasing the chances of a successful pregnancy.
• Genetic Concerns: Women with specific genetic conditions or a family history of genetic disorders choose to freeze their eggs for the option of genetic testing on embryos during in vitro fertilization (IVF) procedures. This allows them to select embryos without genetic abnormalities before implantation.
• Personal Choice: Some women proactively choose to freeze their eggs to have more control over their reproductive future, regardless of specific circumstances. This decision grants them peace of mind and the freedom to create a family whenever they deem it appropriate.

Before embarking on the process of egg freezing, a thorough medical examination and a series of tests are essential. These diagnostic procedures aim to ensure the optimal outcome and safety of the egg freezing procedure. The key diagnostic tests include:

• Blood Tests: Blood tests play a crucial role in evaluating various factors that affect fertility and the egg freezing process. These tests assess hormone levels, ovarian reserve, and overall health parameters. By analyzing levels of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), estradiol, and anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH), the fertility specialist gains insights into the individual's reproductive potential.
• Transvaginal Ultrasound: A transvaginal ultrasound is a non-invasive imaging method that allows a detailed analysis of the uterus and ovaries. This diagnostic procedure helps identify any structural abnormalities, such as ovarian cysts, fibroids, or polyps, which can hinder successful egg retrieval and implantation. By detecting these abnormalities, appropriate interventions can be planned to optimize the egg freezing process.
• Additional Diagnostic Procedures: Depending on the individual's unique circumstances, additional diagnostic procedures may be recommended. These procedures could include hysterosalpingography (HSG), which evaluates the condition of the fallopian tubes and uterus, or genetic screening tests to assess the risk of hereditary conditions. These tests provide valuable information for the fertility specialist to tailor the egg freezing process according to the individual's needs.

Egg freezing typically follows a standard procedure, which involves the following steps:

• Ovarian Stimulation: Hormones are administered to stimulate the ovaries, causing them to release multiple mature eggs over a span of 8-14 days.
• Monitoring: Ongoing monitoring through ultrasound and bloodwork allows healthcare providers to track the growth and development of follicles containing the eggs.
• Anesthesia during Egg Retrieval: During the IVF egg freezing procedure, a propofol-based sedation medication is administered intravenously to provide pain relief and ensure your comfort. This anesthesia technique, known as intravenous sedation, is used specifically for egg retrieval, allowing you to undergo the procedure without experiencing any pain or discomfort.
• Egg Retrieval: When the follicles reach the desired size and the eggs are mature, a transvaginal ultrasound-guided procedure is performed under sedation or anesthesia to retrieve the eggs using a specialized needle.
• Egg Freezing: Retrieved eggs are evaluated to assess their development. Only eggs that meet specific criteria are selected for freezing. The eggs are treated with cryoprotectant solutions to protect them during the freezing process. Rapid freezing, known as vitrification, is employed to prevent ice crystal formation that could harm the eggs.
• Storage: The frozen eggs are preserved in cryopreservation tanks designed to maintain extremely low temperatures, typically around -196 degrees Celsius (-321 degrees Fahrenheit), ensuring long-term preservation.
• Thawing and Fertilization: When ready to use the frozen eggs, they are thawed by removing the cryoprotectant solutions. Fertilization can be achieved through in vitro fertilization (IVF) or intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). In IVF, thawed eggs and sperm are combined in a laboratory dish to allow natural fertilization. In ICSI, a single sperm is injected directly into a thawed egg.
• Embryo Transfer: After fertilization, embryos are cultured and monitored for several days to select the highest-quality ones. Using a thin catheter, the chosen embryos are transferred into the woman's uterus during a short outpatient procedure, with the aim of achieving successful implantation and a healthy pregnancy.

The longevity of frozen eggs is an important consideration for individuals contemplating egg freezing as a fertility preservation option. Recent advancements and success stories in assisted reproductive techniques provide encouraging insights into the viability of frozen eggs over extended periods.

IVF specialists have achieved remarkable success in fertilizing eggs that were frozen for up to 14 years. Additionally, there have been instances where embryos were successfully created using eggs frozen for a decade. These notable achievements demonstrate that the number of years one waits does not significantly impact the chances of achieving a pregnancy with frozen eggs.

Egg freezing offers numerous advantages for women who wish to preserve their fertility and exercise greater control over their reproductive choices. The key advantages of egg freezing include:

• Preservation of Fertility: Egg freezing allows women to preserve their fertility by halting the development of eggs at a specific stage. Even if the fertile window has passed, these frozen eggs can be thawed and utilized for in vitro fertilization (IVF) or intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) to achieve a pregnancy. This preserves the option of biological parenthood in the future.
• Delayed Childbirth: One of the primary motivations behind choosing egg freezing is the ability to delay childbirth until a more suitable time. Whether it's due to personal or professional reasons, egg freezing offers the opportunity to extend the reproductive timeline. This is particularly beneficial for women who want to pursue educational or career goals before starting a family.
• Prevention of Reproductive Problems: Egg freezing acts as a preventative measure against future fertility issues. Conditions like premature ovarian aging can lead to a decline in egg quality and quantity as women age. By freezing eggs at a younger age, when they are in a more optimal state, the risk of fertility problems later in life can be reduced.
• Cost-Effectiveness: Compared to other fertility treatments such as IVF or egg donation, egg freezing is relatively more cost-effective. It allows women to invest in preserving their fertility at a younger age, potentially avoiding the need for more expensive and invasive procedures in the future. By spreading out the costs over time, women can better manage the financial aspect of family planning.
• Improved Success Rates: Advancements in egg-freezing technology, particularly the use of vitrification, have significantly enhanced the success rates of thawed eggs. Vitrification ensures better preservation of the eggs' structural integrity and reduces the risk of ice crystal formation during the freezing process. This has resulted in higher survival rates and improved chances of successful pregnancies when utilizing frozen eggs.

While egg freezing is generally considered safe and well-tolerated, it's important to be aware of potential side-effects that may occur during or after the procedure. The following are some of the potential side-effects associated with egg freezing:

• Pelvic Discomfort: During the egg retrieval process, which involves the use of a transvaginal ultrasound probe and a needle, mild pelvic discomfort such as cramping and tenderness may occur in the days following the procedure. However, these symptoms are typically transient and resolve on their own.
• Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome (OHSS): In rare cases, ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) may occur as a result of the fertility drugs used to stimulate egg production. OHSS can cause the ovaries to swell and result in symptoms such as bloating, pain, nausea, vomiting, and shortness of breath. Severe cases may require medical intervention and close monitoring.
• Allergic Reactions: Although uncommon, some women may experience allergic reactions to the medications used during the egg freezing process. These reactions can manifest as rashes, hives, itching, swelling, or in rare cases, more serious symptoms like difficulty breathing or anaphylaxis. It's important to inform your healthcare provider about any known allergies before undergoing the procedure.
• Risk of Complications with Egg Retrieval: Egg retrieval itself is a minimally invasive surgical procedure, and like any medical intervention, it carries some risks. Potential complications include infection, bleeding, injury to surrounding tissues or organs, or the development of ovarian cysts. However, such complications are infrequent and can be managed by experienced medical professionals.
• Psychological Impact: Egg freezing may have psychological implications for some women. The process can induce significant emotional and psychological stress, as it involves making decisions about fertility, confronting the realities of aging, and considering the potential challenges of future family-building. It is essential to have a support system in place and consider seeking counseling or psychological support if needed.