Understanding Egg Freezing
Egg preservation and freezing techniques have been continuously developed for several decades. Initially, egg freezing was primarily used for cancer patients who needed to preserve their fertility before undergoing chemotherapy or radiation therapy, both of which can damage or destroy eggs in the ovaries. For patients who were not yet married or were unable to conceive at that time, egg freezing provided an opportunity to have biological children in the future.
Over time, the use of egg freezing has expanded beyond this group. Today, many individuals prioritize education, career development, and financial stability before starting a family. However, as age increases, both the quantity and quality of eggs decline, making conception more difficult. As a result, egg freezing has emerged as an effective option for preserving fertility for future use.
How Egg Freezing Preserves High-Quality Eggs at an Early Stage
Egg freezing, also known as egg cryopreservation, is an advanced medical technique in which eggs are preserved in liquid nitrogen at a temperature of −195 degrees Celsius. At this extremely low temperature, all cellular activity is completely halted.
In simple terms, frozen eggs remain biologically unchanged. Their cellular structure and quality are preserved in their original state, as if time has been paused, allowing the eggs to be used in the future with the same potential as when they were frozen.
The Egg Freezing Process
The egg freezing process begins with ovarian stimulation using daily hormone injections for approximately 10 days. During this period, the growth and development of the eggs are closely monitored through ultrasound examinations and hormone level testing.
Once the eggs reach an appropriate size, an injection of human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) is administered to trigger final egg maturation. Approximately 36 hours after the HCG injection, the eggs are retrieved through a minor surgical procedure. Eggs of optimal quality are then carefully selected and frozen for future use.
Effectiveness of Egg Freezing
The quality of frozen eggs largely depends on the age at which they are collected. Eggs retrieved at a younger age generally have better quality and higher potential for successful fertilization and pregnancy.
For example, if 10 eggs are frozen, not all may survive the freezing and thawing process. Typically, about 7–8 eggs may survive, depending on their quality prior to freezing. Once thawed, fertilization is performed using the ICSI (Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection) technique. The fertilization rates of frozen eggs are comparable to those of fresh eggs.
Importantly, studies have shown that the quality of embryos and the health of children born from frozen eggs are no different from those conceived through standard IVF procedures using fresh eggs.
How Long Can Eggs Be Frozen?
When cells are stored in liquid nitrogen at −195 degrees Celsius, all cellular activity ceases without causing structural changes. In theory, eggs can remain frozen indefinitely.
However, there are currently limited long-term data on the maximum storage duration that still guarantees successful pregnancy outcomes. Based on available evidence, eggs can be safely frozen and stored for approximately 4–5 years. After thawing and fertilization via ICSI, the resulting embryos can be transferred to the uterus, and pregnancy can occur in the usual manner.
Side Effects and Potential Complications
Ovarian stimulation carries certain risks. Hormonal medications may cause excessive ovarian response in some individuals, and there is a small risk of bleeding associated with the egg retrieval procedure.
Nevertheless, when treatment is carefully planned, appropriate medications are used, and the procedure is performed by experienced specialists, the risk of complications is generally low.
How to Prepare for Egg Freezing
Preparation for egg freezing is relatively straightforward. It involves maintaining good physical and mental health, consuming a balanced diet that includes all five food groups, increasing the intake of fruits, vegetables, and protein, and engaging in regular physical activity.
Stress reduction is also important, as stress can affect both egg quality and ovarian response during treatment. While some people may view egg freezing as unnecessary, it is important to recognize that marriage and childbearing are occurring later in life. As age increases, the chances of natural conception decline, making egg freezing a valuable option for fertility preservation.
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