Egg freezing, or oocyte cryopreservation, is an innovative IVF technology that allows women to preserve their fertility by freezing and storing their eggs at a younger age. This process gives women the option to use their eggs for conception at a later time, providing more flexibility to pursue life goals such as advancing in their career, finding the right partner, or undergoing medical treatments like chemotherapy or radiation. It can also be a valuable option for those with health conditions like autoimmune diseases. At Netcare IVF | Fertility, we offer expert fertility preservation services to help you plan for motherhood on your terms. Contact us today to learn more about how we can support your fertility goals.
Egg freezing can be a viable option if you’re not ready to have children yet but want to preserve the chance of having a biological child in the future, while your eggs are still at their optimal quality.
Here are some common reasons to consider egg freezing:
There is no strict age limit for freezing your eggs, so you can freeze them at any age before menopause. However, the best outcomes—both in terms of quantity and quality of eggs—tend to occur when eggs are retrieved in your 20s and early 30s, ideally before age 35. This is when your egg reserve is at its peak, and your chances of a successful pregnancy later are higher. After age 40, the likelihood of frozen eggs leading to a live birth declines.
At NETCARE IVF | FERTILITY, we generally recommend freezing your eggs before age 35 for the best results in fertility preservation. However, even if you are 35 or older, you may still be a good candidate for egg freezing, as individual factors can vary.
Egg freezing, also known as cryopreservation, is a process that typically occurs alongside the initial stages of IVF. It begins with ovulation induction, where hormone therapy is prescribed to stimulate the ovaries to produce multiple eggs. Once the eggs mature, they are retrieved before ovulation occurs. After retrieval, the eggs are frozen and stored for future use. When you’re ready to try for pregnancy, the eggs are thawed, fertilized, and then transferred into the uterus. This option provides flexibility for those who wish to delay starting a family.
Success rates of pregnancy with frozen-thawed oocytes vary but typically range from 30% to 50%, depending on factors like maternal age, oocyte quality, and the fertility clinic’s techniques. Advances in cryopreservation methods, such as vitrification, have improved outcomes significantly. Younger women tend to have higher success rates due to better egg quality. However, outcomes may be lower in older women or those with diminished ovarian reserve.
The cost of egg freezing varies depending on the individual client’s plan. It typically covers the initial clinical and laboratory assessments, including an evaluation of ovarian reserve and a radiological ultrasound. The cost also includes the ovarian stimulation process with hormonal therapy, the egg retrieval procedure, and either a monthly or yearly fee for egg storage.
If you’re planning to have biological children in the future but are unable to conceive at the moment due to your current situation, contact us today to explore your options for egg freezing.
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