In today's world, women's career aspirations, educational pursuits, and personal preferences can often lead to a tendency to postpone motherhood. However, female fertility naturally declines with age. This is precisely where one of modern medicine's most significant advancements, egg freezing (oocyte cryopreservation), comes into play. This method offers women the opportunity to preserve their chance of becoming mothers in the future, allowing them to plan their lives with greater flexibility. As Prof. Dr. Kubilay Vicdan, with over 30 years of experience at Ankara IVF Center, we will address common questions about this valuable service in detail in this article.
Who is egg freezing recommended for?
Egg freezing is a crucial option for women who wish to have children in the future but whose current circumstances are not suitable, or who face risks that could affect their fertility. This method can be chosen for various medical and social reasons for the purpose of fertility preservation. Here are the primary situations in which egg freezing is recommended:
- Before Cancer Treatment: Cancer treatments (such as chemotherapy, radiotherapy) can severely damage ovarian reserve and lead to permanent infertility. Egg freezing before starting treatment is a critical step for women to preserve their chance of having children in the future.
- Surgical Interventions: Egg freezing may be considered for women planning surgical operations that could affect the ovaries (e.g., removal of ovarian cysts, endometriosis surgery).
- Risk of Early Menopause: For women with a family history of early menopause, genetic predisposition, or those at risk of early menopause due to certain autoimmune diseases, egg freezing is a way to pause their biological clock.
- Low Ovarian Reserve: Women who show a decline in ovarian reserve despite being young may opt for egg freezing to secure their future fertility potential.
- Social Reasons (Career, Education, Personal Preferences): When women need to postpone motherhood due to career goals, educational pursuits, or not having found the right partner yet, egg freezing offers a time-saving solution. This provides a significant advantage, especially for women approaching the ideal age for egg freezing but who do not yet feel ready to become mothers.
- During IVF Treatment: In some IVF treatment cycles, if a high number of eggs are retrieved or if sperm cannot be obtained from the partner, eggs can be frozen for use at a later date.
These situations allow women to protect their future fertility potential, helping them feel more secure against life's uncertainties. At Ankara IVF Center, we evaluate each individual's unique situation to provide the most appropriate guidance.
Ideal age range
The ideal age for egg freezing is critically important for the success of the procedure and the quality of the eggs retrieved. Female fertility begins to decline significantly from the mid-30s, and this decline accelerates towards the 40s. Therefore, the ideal age range for egg freezing is generally in the late 20s to early 30s.
Eggs frozen within this age range tend to have both a higher number and better quality. Eggs frozen at a younger age have a higher probability of achieving a healthy pregnancy when used later in life. Since ovarian reserve and egg quality begin to decrease after age 35, more eggs may need to be collected in egg freezing procedures performed after age 35, and the chance of pregnancy success may be slightly lower compared to younger ages. However, this does not mean that women over 35 cannot freeze their eggs; each individual's situation should be assessed personally.
It is important for women to be aware of their own fertility potential and to consult with a specialist to make the most suitable decision for their personal circumstances. As Prof. Dr. Kubilay Vicdan, we provide our patients with comprehensive information about age-related fertility decline and egg freezing options to help them make informed decisions.
Step-by-step process
The egg freezing process consists of several stages requiring careful planning and expertise. At Ankara IVF Center, we meticulously manage this process, prioritizing our patients' comfort and safety.
Initial Evaluation and Preparation
The process begins with a detailed preliminary evaluation. At this stage, the patient's general health, medical history, and fertility potential are assessed. Blood tests (hormone levels such as AMH, FSH, LH, E2) and ultrasound examinations determine ovarian reserve and the number of existing follicles. These tests help us predict how the ovaries will respond to medication. Additionally, all your questions about the process are answered, and a realistic perspective on your expectations is provided. This also gives you general information about the IVF process, as egg freezing involves similar steps.
Ovarian Stimulation
While typically only one egg develops in a natural menstrual cycle, the goal for egg freezing is to obtain more eggs. For this purpose, controlled ovarian stimulation treatment, lasting approximately 10-14 days, is initiated. The patient is administered hormone medications (in injection form) to stimulate the growth of multiple follicles in her ovaries. Throughout this process, the ovaries' response to the medications is closely monitored with regular ultrasound examinations and blood tests. When the follicles reach a certain size and a sufficient number of mature, an injection called a "trigger shot" is given to induce the final maturation of the eggs.
Egg Retrieval (OPU)
Approximately 34-36 hours after the trigger shot, the egg retrieval (Oocyte Pick-Up - OPU) procedure is performed. This procedure is generally carried out under light sedation and takes about 15-30 minutes. Under vaginal ultrasound guidance, eggs are aspirated and collected from the mature follicles in the ovaries using a thin needle. After the procedure, the patient rests for a short period and can be discharged on the same day. Minimal pain or discomfort is usually experienced.
Freezing Process
The collected eggs are evaluated in the embryology laboratory. Only mature and healthy eggs are deemed suitable for freezing. The freezing process is now typically performed using a rapid freezing technique called "vitrification." This technology minimizes cell damage by preventing water crystallization within the egg cells and increases the survival rates of the eggs when thawed. We will discuss the details in the next section.
Vitrification technology
One of the greatest revolutions in egg freezing technology is the "vitrification" method. In traditional slow-freezing methods, there was a high risk of damage to egg cells due to water crystallization within the cells. However, vitrification has significantly eliminated this risk.
Vitrification is based on the principle of rapidly treating egg cells with very high concentrations of cryoprotectant (freezing protective) substances and then plunging them suddenly into liquid nitrogen at -196°C. Thanks to this shock-freezing process, water molecules within the cells transform into an amorphous (glassy) structure instead of crystallizing. This has increased the post-thaw survival rates of egg cells to over 90%, significantly enhancing the chances of future pregnancy.
Thanks to vitrification technology, the potential for fertilization and embryo development of frozen eggs after thawing is quite close to that of fresh eggs. This advancement has made egg freezing a much more reliable and effective method of fertility preservation. At Ankara IVF Center, we utilize the most current and effective vitrification techniques to offer our patients the highest chance of success.
Storage and beyond
Frozen eggs can be stored indefinitely in special liquid nitrogen tanks at -196°C. According to current regulations in Turkey, the storage period for eggs is limited by specific conditions and durations, but these periods are generally long enough to meet individual needs. No deterioration in the quality or viability of the eggs occurs during the storage period.
When you wish to become a mother in the future, your frozen eggs are thawed. The thawed eggs are fertilized in the laboratory using the microinjection (ICSI) method with sperm. The resulting embryos are developed in the laboratory for a few days before being transferred to the expectant mother's uterus. This process is fundamentally part of IVF treatment and is similar to the step-by-step IVF process.
Pregnancies achieved with frozen eggs are no different from those achieved with fresh eggs. No adverse outcomes have been observed regarding the health status, development, or birth outcomes of children born from frozen eggs. This once again proves the reliability and effectiveness of the egg freezing procedure.
As Ankara IVF Center, we are happy to guide you on your journey to achieve pregnancy with your frozen eggs. Remember that fertility preservation is an important step that allows you to make your future plans with greater confidence.
Egg freezing is a modern and effective method that offers women significant security for the future. It is a revolutionary step in fertility preservation, especially for women with career goals, health issues, or those waiting for the right time. Prof. Dr. Kubilay Vicdan and the Ankara IVF Center team are committed to providing you with the most accurate information, the latest technology, and the most sensitive approach on this special and personal journey. Remember, with the right ideal age for egg freezing and an expert team, it is possible to gain the maximum benefit from this process.
If you are considering taking this important step for your future, please contact us to schedule a free initial consultation or appointment to evaluate your specific situation and answer all your questions. Let's step into a healthy future together.