Egg freezing is the practice of extracting, cryopreserving, and storing a woman’s eggs. Egg cryopreservation may save a woman’s ability to get pregnant in the future since fertility begins to drop in the late 20s or early 30s and declines more rapidly after 35. If you’re interested in this cutting-edge medical technology, here’s what you should know before you begin.

A Beginner’s Guide to Egg Freezing

Why Should I Freeze My Eggs?

Many women in their childbearing years recognize a desire for a family in the future but wish to satisfy career or personal goals first. Egg quality and quantity reduce with age, so extracting and preserving them may increase the odds of a healthy pregnancy down the road. Additionally, women diagnosed with cancer may choose to protect their healthy eggs by freezing them before starting radiation therapy so that they can conceive after treatment.

What Does the Process Entail?

If you choose cryopreservation, doctors will perform transvaginal ultrasounds and bloodwork to determine the best time for retrieval. To promote the extraction of several, high-quality eggs, women will start a regimen of stimulating hormone injections. These medications are typically administered over a course of nine to 10 days and will help to mature multiple eggs. You’ll be sedated during the retrieval process as the eggs will be surgically extracted. The procedure is minimally invasive and typically requires a short recovery.

How Many Eggs Should Be Stored?

It’s recommended that women have at least 10 eggs stored for each pregnancy attempt as not every retrieved egg will fertilize successfully. In many cases, most women can expect to have 10 to 20 mature eggs retrieved, but age and egg quality can affect the outcome of the retrieval process.

How Are the Eggs Frozen?

After retrieval, eggs are immediately put through vitrification, which is a quick-freezing method that transforms them into a frozen state. This process minimizes the odds of ice crystal formation, which would compromise the egg. Once frozen, they can remain cryopreserved for five to 10 years.

If you’re considering egg freezing to preserve your family planning options, contact the team at IVF HAWAII in Honolulu. This treatment center helps prospective parents plan for children using state-of-the-art procedures and technology. Their team is led by the board-certified obstetrician and gynecologist Dr. Benton Chun, who oversees each case with compassion and dedication. Visit their website to learn more about what to expect from their clinic, or call (808) 538-6655 to schedule a consultation.