Egg freezing, also known as oocyte cryopreservation, is a process in which a woman's eggs (oocytes) are harvested, frozen, and stored for future use. It offers women the opportunity to preserve their fertility and extend their reproductive options. This procedure is typically chosen by women who wish to preserve their fertility for various reasons:
Medical treatments that may affect fertility
Social reasons like career pursuits, or personal circumstances.
Here's a brief overview of the egg freezing process:
Ovarian Stimulation: The woman undergoes hormonal stimulation to encourage the ovaries to produce multiple eggs. This usually involves a series of hormone injections over 10-12 days.
Monitoring: During the stimulation phase, the woman's hormone levels and follicle growth are closely monitored through blood tests and ultrasound examinations.
Egg Retrieval: Once the eggs have matured, they are retrieved through a minor surgical procedure called transvaginal ultrasound-guided follicle aspiration. This involves inserting a thin needle through the vaginal wall to access the ovaries and remove the eggs.
Cryopreservation: The retrieved eggs are then rapidly frozen using a process called vitrification, which involves immersing them in liquid nitrogen at very low temperatures to prevent ice crystal formation, which could damage the eggs.
Storage: The frozen eggs are stored in specialized cryogenic containers at a fertility clinic's laboratory until the woman is ready to use them.
When the woman decides to use her frozen eggs, they are thawed, fertilized with sperm through a process called in vitro fertilization (IVF), and the resulting embryos are transferred to her uterus in the hopes of achieving a pregnancy. However, it's important to note that success rates can vary depending on factors such as the woman's age at the time of egg freezing, the number and quality of eggs retrieved, and the expertise of the fertility clinic. Additionally, egg freezing can be expensive, and there are ongoing costs associated with egg storage.
When couples embark on the journey of fertility treatments, they often encounter terms like IMSI and ICSI, both of which are advanced techniques in assisted reproductive technology (ART) and are commonly used in cases of male infertility. However, they are not interchangeab
For couples trying to conceive through assisted reproductive techniques, every step in the journey matters. When previous attempts at fertilisation have failed or the quality of embryos has been poor, it’s only natural to look for better solutions. IMSI treatment, a re
When a couple is unable to conceive naturally even after trying for over a year, it is time to seek help from a fertility expert. Understanding that infertility can be caused by a range of factors, from hormonal imbalances and ovulation problems to sperm-related issues or bloc
For many couples, starting a family is a dream they deeply cherish. But when pregnancy doesn’t happen despite months of trying, it can be confusing and emotionally draining. If you have been having regular, unprotected intercourse for over a year (or six months if the woman