Today, more women are choosing to delay motherhood for education, career, or personal reasons. However, fertility naturally declines after the age of 35. At this point, one of the most powerful tools modern medicine offers is oocyte (egg) freezing, a method that allows women to pause their biological clock and preserve the possibility of future motherhood.
What Is Oocyte (Egg) Freezing?
Oocyte freezing is a process in which mature eggs are collected from a woman’s ovaries and frozen using a rapid freezing technique called vitrification at –196°C. This allows the eggs to remain viable for many years. When the woman decides to conceive later in life, the eggs are thawed, fertilized with sperm, and the resulting embryos are transferred to the uterus.
Why Do Women Choose to Freeze Their Eggs?
Egg freezing is performed for both medical and social reasons.
Medical Reasons:
● Preserving fertility before cancer treatment (chemotherapy or radiotherapy)
● Decreased ovarian reserve or risk of premature menopause
● Genetic or hormonal conditions affecting fertility
Social Reasons:
● Delaying motherhood for career or personal goals
● Absence of a suitable partner
● Creating a sense of “biological security” for the future
Vitrification: The Most Advanced Freezing Technique
In the past, slow-freezing methods often damaged eggs due to the formation of ice crystals. With vitrification, eggs are cooled ultra-rapidly, preventing ice formation and preserving cell integrity.
As a result:
● Egg survival rates after thawing exceed 90%,
● Fertilization and pregnancy rates are comparable to those using fresh eggs.
How Does the Egg Freezing Process Work?
1. Evaluation & Preparation: The fertility specialist performs blood tests and ultrasound to assess ovarian reserve. Ovarian Stimulation: Hormone injections are administered over several days to stimulate multiple eggs to mature.
2. Egg Retrieval (OPU): Under light anesthesia, eggs are collected from the ovaries using a thin needle guided by ultrasound.
3. Vitrification: Mature eggs are frozen in special cryoprotectant solutions at –196°C.
4. Storage: Frozen eggs are safely stored in tanks for years.
Success Rates
Success depends on several factors, including age, egg quality, and storage duration. In general:
● Women under 35 have the highest success rates,
● Pregnancy and live birth outcomes from vitrified eggs are very close to those of fresh eggs.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long can eggs be stored? Scientific data shows that eggs can remain viable for 10 years or longer, depending on regulations in each country.
Can you have a baby from frozen eggs? Yes! Thousands of healthy babies have been born worldwide from embryos created with frozen eggs.
Is the procedure painful? Aside from mild discomfort from hormone injections, the egg retrieval procedure is quick and performed under light anesthesia most patients experience minimal pain.
Empowering Women Through Science
Egg freezing is no longer a “last resort” , it’s a strategic choice for women who want to take control of their fertility. Thanks to this breakthrough technology, women can protect their reproductive potential and decide when motherhood fits best into their lives.
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