What Is Egg Freezing? An In-Depth Look at This Trending Fertility Option

What Is Egg Freezing?

Egg freezing involves retrieving and preserving a woman’s eggs by freezing them. This option allows women to maintain their fertility by storing eggs at a younger age, before age-related fertility decline sets in (a practice known as social freezing). Egg freezing is recommended for women who wish to preserve their reproductive potential without the immediate intention to conceive. However, it is generally not advised for women over the age of 40, and the recommended age limit for using frozen eggs is under 45.

For women who may want children in the future but are not ready to conceive now, egg freezing is one way to help balance career aspirations with family planning.

The Egg Freezing Process

The egg freezing process includes the following steps:

1. Ovulation Induction: Medications are used to stimulate multiple eggs to develop, as only one egg matures naturally per cycle. This increases the likelihood of successful conception later.
2. Egg Retrieval: Using a thin needle guided by transvaginal ultrasound, eggs are retrieved directly from the ovaries.
3. Freezing and Preservation: The eggs are preserved in a specialized solution and stored in liquid nitrogen at -196°C.
4. Thawing: When the individual wishes to conceive, the frozen eggs are thawed.
5. Fertilization: The egg is fertilized with sperm.
6. Culturing: The fertilized egg (now an embryo) is cultured until it is ready for embryo transfer.
7. Embryo Transfer: The embryo is then implanted in the uterus.

Purpose of Egg Freezing

Reproductive function and egg quality naturally decline with age. As a result, by the time a woman decides to conceive, her body may already be past its reproductive peak, making conception more challenging.

Furthermore, declining egg quality is associated with lower pregnancy rates and increased risks of miscarriage, chromosomal abnormalities, and congenital disorders. By freezing eggs while they are still healthy, women may increase their chances of a successful and healthy pregnancy in the future.

Pregnancy Rates with Frozen Eggs

There is limited data on the success rates of pregnancies using frozen eggs, primarily because fewer individuals have used frozen eggs for conception. Some clinics may offer statistics on pregnancy rates, so those interested should inquire directly with their clinic.

Risks of Egg Freezing

While egg freezing presents an exciting option for balancing career and reproductive goals, there are some risks to consider.

• Pain During Egg Retrieval

During egg retrieval, a needle is inserted directly into the ovaries under ultrasound guidance, which can cause pain and, in some cases, bleeding. There is also a potential for inflammation or ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS).

• Potential Decline in Egg Quality Due to Freezing

Eggs contain a higher water content than embryos, making them more susceptible to quality degradation during the thawing process. This can affect fertilization success and embryo development. To mitigate this risk, freezing multiple eggs can increase the likelihood of achieving a viable embryo.

• Costs Involved

Egg freezing is a costly process. The average cost of an egg retrieval procedure is between 200,000 and 500,000 JPY. Anesthesia may be required, which adds approximately 50,000 JPY. Additionally, a specialized freezing container costs around 55,000 JPY per unit, and storage costs for extending the freezing period are approximately 20,000–30,000 JPY annually per unit after the first year. Since costs vary by clinic, check specific rates on clinic websites.

• Risks of Advanced Maternal Age

While egg freezing preserves eggs at a younger age, it does not mitigate the risks associated with advanced maternal age. Even with younger eggs, the pregnancy and childbirth experience will reflect the age and health of the mother’s body at the time of pregnancy.

It is essential to consider the general risks of advanced maternal age, such as gestational hypertension, higher rates of cesarean delivery, and increased chances of miscarriage or preterm birth.

Egg Freezing as a Means to Enhance Future Fertility Potential

Because the number and quality of eggs decline with age, egg freezing is most effective when undertaken at an earlier stage in life. Age limits may apply both for retrieval and storage duration. For those wishing to preserve their fertility options for the future, egg freezing is a valuable consideration.