Egg freezing, or oocyte cryopreservation, has become a game-changing technology in fertility preservation, allowing women to secure their reproductive options. This procedure gives women the flexibility to preserve their eggs when they are young and healthy, providing a path to pregnancy later in life. Whether for medical, personal, or professional reasons, egg freezing offers a biological insurance plan for the future.
In India, the demand for egg freezing has seen a significant rise, particularly as awareness of fertility preservation options increases. In this article, we’ll explore the step-by-step process of egg freezing, factors influencing its success rates, and why women choose this option.
What Is Egg Freezing?
Egg freezing is a medical procedure where a woman’s eggs are retrieved, frozen, and stored for future use. By freezing eggs during a woman’s reproductive prime, it offers the chance of achieving pregnancy later, bypassing the natural decline in fertility that comes with age.
The frozen eggs remain in a biologically safe condition at a temperature of -196°C in liquid nitrogen until the woman is ready to use them. When the time comes, the eggs can be thawed, fertilized, and implanted into the uterus to achieve pregnancy, either through in vitro fertilization (IVF) or other fertility treatments.
Why Do Women Opt for Egg Freezing?
Women may choose to freeze their eggs for various reasons, many of which center on personal or medical circumstances. Some common motivations include:
- Medical Conditions:
- Women diagnosed with cancer who need to undergo chemotherapy or radiation treatments, which may damage their ovaries and eggs, often choose to freeze their eggs before treatment.
- Women with a family history of premature ovarian failure or those diagnosed with conditions like Turner’s syndrome or Fragile X syndrome, which increase the risk of ovarian failure, may opt for egg freezing.
2. Surgical Risks:
- Certain surgeries, especially in the pelvic region, may affect a woman’s ovaries or egg production. Freezing eggs before surgery offers a backup plan.
3. Genetic Concerns:
- Women with genetic mutations, such as BRCA mutations, who may undergo preventive ovarian removal surgeries also benefit from egg freezing as a fertility preservation option.
4. Delayed Parenthood:
- Many women choose to freeze their eggs to delay pregnancy due to personal, professional, or financial reasons. Egg freezing allows them to pursue their careers or personal goals without worrying about age-related fertility decline.
5. IVF Treatment Support:
- Egg freezing can also be used as part of an IVF treatment, especially when sperm is unavailable on the day of egg retrieval, providing an option to preserve eggs for future fertilization.
How to Prepare for Egg Freezing
The process of egg freezing begins with a thorough consultation and evaluation by a fertility specialist. During this consultation, the specialist will explain the procedure, discuss the woman’s reproductive health, and recommend the necessary steps for preparation. Women are advised to:
- Undergo Medical Tests: Blood tests, including those for hormonal levels and ovarian reserve markers like AMH (Anti-Müllerian Hormone), are conducted to assess reproductive health.
- Supplements: The doctor may recommend antioxidants and supplements to prepare the body for the procedure.
- Counseling: Detailed counseling about the process, success rates, and long-term considerations is essential before beginning the egg-freezing journey.
Step-by-Step Process of Egg Freezing in India
Egg freezing involves multiple stages, each aimed at ensuring the best possible outcome for preserving the woman’s eggs. Here is a breakdown of the steps involved:
- Ovarian Stimulation
The first step in the egg-freezing process is ovarian stimulation, which usually begins on the first or second day of the woman’s menstrual cycle. This process involves daily hormone injections, typically for 10–12 days, which stimulate the ovaries to produce multiple eggs. Fertility specialists monitor the woman’s progress with regular ultrasounds and blood tests to track how many eggs are maturing.
- Monitoring and Adjustments
Throughout the stimulation phase, the woman will visit the clinic regularly for blood tests and ultrasounds to assess her response to the medications. Based on the results, the doctor may adjust the medication dosage to optimize egg development. This monitoring typically requires 5–6 visits to the clinic.
- Trigger Injection
Once the eggs have reached the optimal size (usually 18–20 mm in diameter), the woman receives a trigger injection. This injection helps the eggs mature fully in preparation for retrieval. The trigger is administered about 34–36 hours before the egg retrieval procedure.
- Egg Retrieval
Egg retrieval is a minimally invasive procedure performed under mild anesthesia to ensure comfort. During the procedure, a fertility specialist uses a needle guided by ultrasound to retrieve the eggs from the ovaries. The entire process typically takes about 15–30 minutes, and the woman can go home the same day.
- Freezing the Eggs
Once the eggs are retrieved, they are assessed for quality and maturity. The mature eggs are then frozen using a method called vitrification, which is a rapid-freezing process that prevents ice crystals from forming in the eggs. The eggs are stored in cryogenic tanks at -196°C in liquid nitrogen, where they can remain viable for years.
Success Rates of Egg Freezing
- Age: Women who freeze their eggs at a younger age (before 35) tend to have higher success rates. The ideal window for egg freezing is typically between the ages of 25 and 35, as egg quality and quantity decline with age.
- Number of Eggs: Fertility specialists often recommend freezing a larger number of eggs (typically around 15–20 eggs) to increase the chances of a successful pregnancy later. The more eggs that are frozen, the better the odds of having viable embryos for implantation.
- Health Conditions: Women with certain health conditions, such as endometriosis, autoimmune diseases, or ovarian issues, may face challenges during the egg-freezing process. The quality of the eggs can be affected by these conditions, so it’s essential to undergo proper evaluation and treatment before starting the procedure.
Factors That Impact Egg Freezing
Several factors influence the success of egg freezing, and understanding these is key to making informed decisions:
- Stimulation Protocol: The right ovarian stimulation protocol tailored to the individual’s hormonal levels and ovarian reserve is crucial for producing a sufficient number of mature eggs.
- Freezing Technique: The vitrification technique, used in modern egg freezing, ensures higher survival rates after thawing by preventing ice crystal formation in the eggs.
- Skilled Technicians: The success of egg freezing also depends on the expertise of the fertility clinic’s team. Skilled embryologists and lab technicians play a vital role in maintaining the quality and safety of frozen eggs.
What Are the Risks of Egg Freezing?
While egg freezing is generally considered safe, there are some potential risks, including:
- Poor Response to Stimulation: Some women may not respond well to the hormonal stimulation, leading to fewer eggs being retrieved.
- Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome (OHSS): In rare cases, ovarian stimulation can cause OHSS, a condition where the ovaries become swollen and painful due to excessive hormone response.
- Surgical Risks: As with any medical procedure, there is a slight risk of complications during egg retrieval, though this is rare.
How Long Can Eggs Be Stored?
Eggs can be stored for many years without any decline in quality. While current data covers storage periods of up to 10 years, studies suggest that eggs can remain viable for even longer. However, many clinics have age limits for using frozen eggs, as pregnancy risks increase with age.
Conclusion: Egg Freezing in India
Egg freezing offers a viable option for women who want to preserve their fertility, providing flexibility and control over family planning. With advances in vitrification technology and skilled fertility clinics, the success rates of achieving pregnancy with frozen eggs have improved significantly. Whether for medical, personal, or professional reasons, egg freezing is becoming an increasingly popular choice for women in India.
