Most fertile period
The ideal time for pregnancy or egg freezing
Egg Freezing
This procedure offers women the opportunity to delay childbearing, providing flexibility and peace of mind for the future.
Fertility timeline
Fertility begins to decline
At this age, fertility is still high but declining.
Fertility significanty declines
The likelihood of conceiving naturally significantly decreases, but assisted reproductive methods are successful at this age.
5% chance of conceiving naturally in one month
After 40, the likelihood of natural pregnancy is low. With assisted reproductive methods and your own frozen eggs, you have flexibility in family planning.
What is Egg Freezing?
Egg freezing, or oocyte cryopreservation, is a process where a woman's eggs are collected, frozen, and stored to preserve her reproductive potential. This procedure offers women the opportunity to delay childbearing, providing flexibility and peace of mind for the future.
The decline in fertility is due to the decrease in both the quality and quantity of eggs produced by the ovaries as women age. For instance:
- At Age 30: A woman typically needs around 6 eggs to create one high-quality embryo that could lead to a successful pregnancy.
- At Age 43: The number of eggs needed increases significantly, with about 18 eggs required to achieve the same outcome.
While egg freezing is not a guaranteed solution for future fertility, it provides a valuable option for women wanting to extend their reproductive timeline. Consulting with a fertility specialist can help you make informed decisions based on your individual circumstances and goals.
Who is egg freezing suitable for?
We recommend considering egg freezing for women who:
Flexibility in Family Planning
Wish to delay motherhood for various personal or professional reasons
Planning Ahead Before Oncological Treatment
Are awaiting oncological treatment
Future Family Planning
Will have their ovaries removed for health reasons
Your yourney through
the egg freezing process
Steps of the egg freezing process
Initial consultation
The first step is always an initial consultation. During this appointment, you will receive all the necessary information about the process.
Medical screening
Based on the initial consultation, specific tests will be recommended to ensure the entire process goes smoothly, resulting in the freezing of high-quality eggs for your future use.
Hormonal stimulation
Thanks to hormonal stimulation, which you will administer at home according to a prescribed protocol, it is possible to obtain a larger number of eggs in a single cycle. These eggs can then be frozen for future use.
Scheduling retrieval
During hormonal stimulation, we will monitor its progress and the development of the eggs using ultrasound scans. These examinations allow us to plan the optimal time for egg retrieval.
Egg retrieval
Egg retrieval is performed vaginally under short general anesthesia. A few hours after the procedure, you can go home from the clinic.
Egg freezing
The retrieved eggs are frozen using vitrification and then stored until you are ready to have a child.
FAQs about Egg Freezing
Everything you need to know about your journey to fertility preservation.
Does freezing my eggs affect my ovarian reserve?
No, freezing your eggs does not significantly affect your ovarian reserve. The ovarian stimulation process stimulates your ovaries to produce multiple eggs in one cycle, similar to natural cycles.
What happens if I never use my vitrified eggs?
If you never use your vitrified eggs, they can remain safely stored for many years. You also have options to use them according to your preferences.
What are the risks of social freezing?
Some risks are associated with ovarian stimulation or egg retrieval. Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) is perhaps the greatest medical risk associated with egg freezing. Mild to moderate symptoms of ovarian hyperstimulation may include: fatigue, nausea, headache, abdominal pain, tenderness, and irritability. These side effects are usually treated conservatively. Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome can be prevented by carefully monitoring the egg stimulation cycle, which is managed by an experienced specialist.
Women who attempt to conceive using frozen and thawed eggs normally give birth to healthy children. The risk of birth defects in the baby is almost as low as for a child conceived naturally.
How successful are egg freezing procedures?
In an average egg freezing cycle, 80% of eggs will survive thawing, 70% will get fertilised, and 45% will develop into a pregnancy.
Clinical pregnancy rates have been estimated between 4-12% per survived oocyte.
When is the best time to talk to your doctor about social freezing?
Ideally, between 30-35 years of age is the best time. But if you are beyond this age group, you should still consult us to understand what your options are.
How many eggs should I freeze, and how many cycles will I need?
There is no guaranteed number of frozen eggs that will ensure a successful pregnancy, but your doctor can provide guidance on how many eggs to freeze based on your age and ovarian reserve. Typically, the older you are, the more eggs you should freeze, and you may need more cycles to achieve your goal. This decision is highly dependent on your age.
Still have a question?
Can’t find the answer you’re looking for? Leave us a message and ask our experts.