Egg Freezing

Egg freezing is an Assisted Reproduction method that enables women to have a family in the future.

How egg freezing performed?

The process is very simple! Initially, your doctor will prescribe hormones that will help stimulate the ovaries. The stimulated ovaries will "give" eggs, which will be collected by the specialist gynecologist at the right time. The eggs will then be cryopreserved and stored for future use by the woman.

 What tests are required for a woman to proceed with egg freezing?

Before cryopreservation, some tests should be done. The necessary fertility check will be performed and a transvaginal ultrasound will be performed. Test results will show what condition your ovaries are in.

When does a woman choose egg freezing?

A woman chooses egg freezing for many reasons. Initially, she can do it because she wants to have a family at an older age, because then she thinks she will be more ready. They may also do so for medical reasons, because of a chronic condition, or because they are about to undergo chemotherapy.

In addition, a woman chooses egg freezing when:

• Has a history of premature menopause
• She hasn't found the right partner for her
• Wishes to prolong her fertility – fertility preservation
• They do not want or are unable to start a family in the present because they have other goals/priorities

What is the appropriate age for egg freezing?

There is no suitable age for a woman to proceed with egg cryopreservation. The only "restriction" is to approach 35 years. This is because the more advanced a woman's age, the lower the quality of her eggs. On the contrary, the younger they are, the better the eggs obtained, increasing the successes of future fertilization.

When can a woman use frozen eggs?

The woman can use her eggs until the age of 50.

What does the future use of eggs foresee?

The eggs collected during the egg collection process are preserved by the vitrification method at -196οC. Thus, they are best preserved for a long time without damaging the genetic material during thawing.

After thawing, eggs that have good quality are fertilized in the laboratory. The resulting embryos will be transferred to the endometrium through the process of embryo transfer. Success rates depend on both the age of the woman at the time of embryo transfer and the age at which the eggs were obtained.

If you are considering egg freezing  or if you wish to learn more about this method of Assisted Reproduction, then contact us. The Gynecologist Obstetrician Dr. Athanasios Papanikolaou is an expert in Assisted Reproduction and IVF and is able to answer all your questions. Schedule your own diagnostic appointment to help you discover which method best suits your needs.