All questions about the process of egg freezing (cryopreservation of oocytes)

Freezing eggs or cryopreservation of oocytesfertilization of a female egg (as a method of preserving the reproductive potential in women of reproductive age)oocytes) are removed, frozen and stored. We have collected together all the curiosities and answers to questions that can be confusing about this process, which requires medical intervention and supervision by a specialist doctor.

Important note: All information and recommendations in this article are based on scientifically sound articles prepared for general informational purposes and do not contain expert advice. The content of the page does not include elements containing information about therapeutic medical care. See your doctor for diagnosis and treatment.

Who might need the egg freezing process?

Women may need to freeze their eggs for a variety of reasons. In addition to personal reasons, various health conditions may lead to considering egg freezing:

• Women who will have surgery that can damage the ovaries
• Cancer patients requiring chemotherapy and/or pelvic radiation therapy, which may affect fertility,
• chromosomal abnormalities,
• Risk of premature ovarian failure due to a family history of early menopause,
• Ovarian diseases with a risk of damage to the ovaries,
• Genetic mutations requiring spaying
• Women who want to preserve fertility for personal reasons are postponing childbearing

They can start the egg freezing process.

How is egg freezing done?

First of all, women who decide on the process of egg freezing are observed by a specialist, assessing their ovarian reserves. After approximately 2 weeks of drug treatment, controlled ovarian stimulation is performed and the maturity of the eggs is examined under a microscope, after which the most suitable ones are selected. Selected eggs, quick freezing method (vitrification) using frozen. In this process, a formal procedure is followed and the woman fills out various paperwork and permits for processing. Frozen eggs are stored in liquid nitrogen at -196°C and recorded.

How long do frozen eggs keep?

Frozen eggs keep for 1 year. With the annual approval of the person, the process can be extended up to 5 years. After 5 years, the duration of the procedure can be extended with the permission of the Ministry of Health of our country. If women whose eggs have been frozen decide not to use their eggs, or if they do not want to continue storing them, the eggs must be destroyed this time. For this, an application is submitted to the Ministry of Health and the process is terminated.

How to use frozen eggs later?

When women who have frozen their eggs want to initiate the pregnancy process, the eggs are placed in some kind of solution to be heated and fertilized by intracytoplasmic sperm injection, where one sperm is injected directly into the egg. Fertilized eggs (embryos) grow in culture until they are ready to be transferred to the uterus, a process that usually takes 3-5 days. It is then transferred to the uterus and the pregnancy process begins.

Is the freezing process bad for eggs?

Freezing eggs does not cause cell death. The freezing process involves stopping intracellular motility for a while; when using vitrification, eggs can remain viable for many years. In other words, the freezing process does not harm the eggs. However, various risks may arise. Small ovary hyperstimulation syndrome (ovarian enlargement and accumulation of fluid in the pelvis and abdomen), There may be risks of infection and bleeding associated with the egg retrieval procedure.

Things to Consider When Freezing Eggs

Keep in mind that there are many things to consider before you decide to freeze eggs. You must have knowledge in various areas, from your plans for the future to your financial solvency.

1. Review your plans and priorities

Ask yourself some questions; Do you want children, when do you want to get pregnant, how many children do you want, how many egg freeze cycles do you want to have, how long do you plan to freeze your eggs… These and similar questions can help you clarify your future plans and priorities. It can also help you plan for the necessary physical, mental, emotional and financial preparation.

2. There is no perfect age, but there is a better age.

If you decide to enter into such a process, it is useful to know this; There is no ideal age for egg freezing, but there is a better age. According to the American Society for Reproductive Medicine, the best time to freeze eggs is between your 20s and 30s, when you have a higher ovarian reserve and healthier eggs. A fertility hormone test can tell you a lot about the state of your ovarian reserve and help you decide if egg freezing is right for you based on the advice of your doctor. However, egg freezing is not recommended for people over 38 years of age.

3. Egg freezing does not guarantee pregnancy

It’s good to know the truth about a common misconception. Egg freezing can take the stress out of knowing your baby’s birth schedule right now, but it’s not a surefire way to guarantee your fertility forever. Fertility changes with age, for example, if you freeze your eggs at 25 and use them at 35, you will face the reality of conception and pregnancy at that age. These are not arguments for or against egg freezing. Only you and your doctor can decide if this is the right solution for you. — but it’s important to know that this process is not just about freezing and then being free to forget as much as you want.

4. The process of freezing eggs is expensive.

If you are considering egg freezing, you should consider the costs of this procedure. Egg freezing, which can be carried out in various public and private hospitals, women’s clinics or in vitro fertilization centers in our country, is not covered by regular health insurance. For this reason, you should find out if your supplemental or private health insurance can cover egg freezing or calculate the cost. It should also be taken into account that the longer the process, the higher the cost.

Finally, when you decide to start the process, be sure to negotiate with the well-equipped medical center that suits you best. Be sure to check the success rate of the lab or clinic, how the process works, how your eggs will be stored and tracked, your doctor who will take care of you, in short, every procedure involved in the process.

Important note: All information and recommendations in this article are based on scientifically sound articles prepared for general informational purposes and do not contain expert advice. The content of the page does not include elements containing information about therapeutic medical care. See your doctor for diagnosis and treatment.

Source: mayoclinic, Healthline, UCLAHEALTH.

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