Egg freezing, or oocyte cryopreservation, is a process in which a woman’s eggs (oocytes) are extracted, frozen and stored as a method to preserve reproductive potential in women of reproductive age. Oocyte cryopreservation has advanced greatly over the past few years, since a technology called vitrification has vastly improved the success rates of egg thawing and survival.
Cryopreservation of the oocytes can be considered for a variety of reasons:
- Women with cancer requiring chemotherapy and/or pelvic radiation therapy that may affect fertility.
- Surgery that may cause damage to the ovaries.
- Risk of premature ovarian failure because of chromosomal abnormalities (e.g., Turner syndrome, fragile X syndrome), or family history of early menopause.
- Ovarian disease with risk of damage to the ovaries (e.g., endometriosis).
- Genetic mutations requiring removing the ovaries (e.g., BRCA mutation).
- Fertility preservation for social or personal reasons to delay childbearing.
Having the option to freeze eggs can be a valuable, life-changing one for some women. Deciding whether or not to freeze your eggs requires a long conversation between the fertility consultant and the patient. As a fertility consultant I advise that egg freezing will serve the patient at its best if performed before the age of 35.
Written by: Ioannis Gryparis, Fertility Consultant
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