7 Things You Should Know If You Are Considering Freezing Your Eggs

The image shows the process of women egg freezing

In today’s rapidly changing world, where women often juggle multiple roles and responsibilities, the importance and necessity of egg freezing for women cannot be overstated. 

As women age, their reproductive health undergoes significant changes, and the likelihood of chromosomal abnormalities increases, along with the associated risks of miscarriage, birth defects, or disorders that can make conceiving more challenging.

For many, egg freezing represents a lifeline to halt the relentless ticking of the biological clock. It offers the opportunity to preserve younger and possibly healthier eggs, expanding reproductive options.

However, the lack of knowledge, limited experience, and reluctance to discuss this topic often discourage people from exploring the possibilities of egg freezing. 

That’s where women’s care and the role of one of the best IVF clinics in Kolkata, come into play. PHS is dedicated to providing compassionate and comprehensive care tailored to each patient’s values and needs, focusing on women’s health.

 As we strive to become the best IVF clinic in Kolkata, our team of highly skilled fertility specialists and state-of-the-art facilities are poised to help you realize your dreams of preserving your reproductive potential.

In this article, we will delve into the top 7 essential aspects you should be aware of if you are considering egg freezing, shedding light on the path towards informed decision-making for your reproductive health.

Let’s begin with the most basic question.

1 . What does it mean to Freeze your Eggs?

Freezing your eggs is a proactive step to preserve your fertility. It involves stimulating your ovaries to produce multiple eggs, collecting them through a minimally invasive procedure, and then freezing them using a specialized method called vitrification. 

This process “pauses” your biological clock by storing eggs at a younger, healthier stage. Your frozen eggs can be stored for several years and used when you’re ready to start a family.

 2. Why do Women Choose to Freeze their Eggs?

Women freeze their eggs for various reasons:

Delaying childbearing: It offers women flexibility in family planning, allowing them to pursue careers and personal goals or find the right partner without worrying about declining fertility with age. It’s a way to safeguard future reproductive options.

Medical treatments: Preserving fertility before therapies like chemotherapy that can harm ovaries. According to an article by The American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM), there are chances of a woman undergoing chemotherapy being rendered infertile. This is not a commonality but one of the side effects of the treatment. Choosing to freeze your eggs before chemotherapy is an option for most women.  

Genetic conditions: Women with hereditary disorders can use frozen eggs to prevent passing on conditions.

Early menopause: For those experiencing premature menopause, egg freezing offers future family options. 

3. How Invasive is the Egg Extraction Procedure?

The egg extraction procedure, known as oocyte retrieval, is a minimally invasive and relatively straightforward medical procedure. It is typically performed in an outpatient or daycare setting, and here’s a breakdown of what you can expect:

Preparation: 

Before the procedure, you’ll be given medications to stimulate your ovaries to produce multiple mature eggs. This phase usually lasts around 10-14 days.

Egg Retrieval: 

When the eggs are mature, a transvaginal ultrasound-guided follicle aspiration is conducted. You’ll receive light anaesthesia or sedation to ensure comfort during the procedure. A thin, hollow needle is guided through the vaginal wall to access the ovaries. The fluid from the ovarian follicles, containing the eggs, is gently aspirated. The procedure typically lasts about 20-30 minutes.

Recovery: 

Afterwards, you may experience mild discomfort or cramping, but this generally subsides within a day or two. Most women can return to their normal activities within a day or two.

Overall, while it involves some medical intervention, the egg retrieval procedure is considered minimally invasive, and complications are rare. It’s a crucial step in the egg-freezing process that enables the preservation of your eggs for potential future use.

4. How much will it affect my hormones?

Egg extraction can temporarily affect your hormone levels. You’ll receive medications to stimulate your ovaries to produce multiple eggs during the egg-freezing process. These medications may cause mild side effects like mood swings, bloating, and breast tenderness due to hormonal fluctuations. After the retrieval, there may be a brief period of hormonal adjustment as your body returns to its normal cycle. However, these effects are usually short-lived, and your hormones should stabilize relatively quickly. Our fertility specialist will monitor your hormone levels to minimize discomfort and ensure your well-being. 

5. What are the chances of having a baby after I freeze my eggs? 

The likelihood of achieving a successful pregnancy after freezing your eggs hinges on several key factors, notably your age at the time of egg freezing, the quality of the frozen eggs, and the number of eggs preserved.

 Age plays a pivotal role in determining success rates. Women who freeze their eggs before age 35 tend to have the highest chances of success. A 2018 study in Fertility and Sterility revealed that women under 35 who froze their eggs had a 51% chance of live birth per embryo transfer.

The quality of the frozen eggs significantly impacts success. Eggs are graded on a scale from I (highest quality) to IV (lowest quality), with higher-quality eggs having a better chance of resulting in a live birth.

The quantity of eggs frozen also matters. More eggs offer the advantage of creating multiple embryos, boosting the odds of a live birth. A 2016 study in Human Reproduction found that women freezing 20 or more eggs had a 70% chance of a live birth, whereas those freezing fewer than 20 had a 39% chance.

Over the years, egg-freezing success rates have improved. A 2017 JAMA study noted a cumulative live birth rate of 27% for eggs frozen between 1994 and 2007, while a 2018 Fertility and Sterility study reported a 42% cumulative live birth rate for eggs frozen between 2004 and 2014.

In conclusion, while egg freezing is a safe and effective fertility preservation method, individual success rates vary. Our in-house experts will be able to provide personalized guidance on egg freezing and its potential outcomes.

6. Why Should I Choose PHS? 

Besides being one of the best IVF clinics in Kolkata here are a few more reasons to choose PHS

Personalized Care: At PHS, we understand that every individual’s fertility journey is unique. Our approach to treatment is highly personalized, ensuring that your specific needs, values, and wishes are at the forefront of your fertility plan. We prioritize your comfort and well-being throughout the process.

Support & Compassion: Our team comprises caring experts who provide unwavering support and compassion at every step of your fertility journey. We recognize the emotional and physical challenges that can accompany fertility treatments and are here to guide you with empathy and expertise.

Global Standards: PHS is committed to upholding the highest global standards of quality and excellence in reproductive healthcare. Our state-of-the-art facilities and cutting-edge technologies ensure you receive world-class care throughout your IVF journey.

High Success Rates: Achieving successful outcomes is at the core of what we do. PHS boasts a track record of high success rates in fertility treatments. Our expert fertility care is complemented by a state-of-the-art laboratory that is crucial in enhancing your chances of a successful pregnancy.

Committed Expertise: With PHS, you benefit from a team of dedicated fertility specialists who are committed to helping you overcome challenges and realize your a dream of parenthood. We bring years of experience and a deep understanding of the latest advancements in reproductive medicine to your care.

7. Is It an Expensive Process?

Egg freezing cost includes medicines and injections given for ovarian stimulation, along with the charges for the procedure of egg retrieval and subsequent freezing. It usually depends on patient age, medical factors and years needed to store. 

Choosing PHS for your fertility journey enables you to make intelligent fertility decisions under expert guidance that combines personalized care, compassionate support, global standards of excellence, high success rates, specialized services, and unwavering commitment to your fertility goals. Your path to parenthood is our priority, and as one of the best IVF clinics in Kolkata, we are here to guide you every step of the way. Visit our website to find out more today. 

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