Egg freezing, commonly known as mature oocyte cryopreservation, is a known method used to preserve a woman’s reproductive samples also known as eggs. Eggs are picked up from your ovaries, frozen in the unfertilized form and stored for later use of making embryos. A frozen egg can be thawed, with the combination of sperm in a lab and implanted in your uterus (in vitro fertilization) and implantation takes place and gets attached to the endometrium lining. However, only a small portion of eggs that are frozen, thawed and implanted result in the birth of a baby as this procedure is not highly recommended by the doctors and doesn’t give long-lasting results.
Why Egg Freezing is Done?
Egg freezing might be a future use option if you are not ready to become pregnant, but want to ensure your ability to get pregnant or have a biological baby in the upcoming future.
Unlike with fertilized egg freezing (embryo cryopreservation is commonly known as embryo freezing), egg freezing doesn’t require a male partner or use of a sperm donor because the eggs won’t be fertilized before they’re frozen. Just as it is done in the embryo freezing.
When Egg Freezing is Beneficial for You?
When you're about to undergo cancer treatment. Certain cancer treatments — such as radiation or chemotherapy — can harm your fertility or the growth of your eggs and development. Going with egg freezing before treatment might allow you to have your biological baby at a later age- remember this cannot be done without doctor’s advice and supervision.
When you're undergoing IVF and your partner isn't able to produce sufficient sperm on the day you got your egg collection done, egg freezing might be needed at this time. And also, when undergoing in vitro fertilization, some couples prefer egg freezing to embryo freezing for ethical or religious reasons.
