Let’s Put Those Eggs On Ice
Women are becoming all too aware of the challenges of conceiving with age. As a result, egg storage is gaining popularity as a popular fertility preservation strategy. Reproductive materials like eggs, sperm, and embryos can be stored at sub-zero temperatures indefinitely. Women who store eggs must first use injectable hormones to stimulate multiple follicles. When the eggs mature, a doctor extracts each follicle using ultrasound and a suction device. The eggs are then flash frozen using vitrification, which removes the possibility of ice crystals forming on the eggs. There are benefits and risks for women over 35, considering egg storage and oocyte cryopreservation.
Reasons for oocyte cryopreservation
The landscape for women has changed, with many becoming deeply involved in work, education, and business. As a result, some women choose to delay pregnancy. Some have not found a suitable partner or want to wait until marriage to start a family. Oocyte cryopreservation is also for practical reasons, such as preserving fertility before surgery, chemotherapy, or radiotherapy. Cancer treatment of this nature can lead to infertility. Using in vitro fertilization (IVF), which creates embryos outside of the body before implantation, women can attempt pregnancy later.
Fertility and age: the love-hate relationship
The primary rationale for egg storage is that women naturally struggle with fertility over time. Women are born with a set number of follicles in the ovaries that mature into eggs. By the time the woman reaches reproductive age, the ovarian reserve is significantly less. One or more eggs are released each ovulation cycle. Over time, the quantity and quality of eggs decline, making conceiving naturally more difficult. As eggs are of a higher quality when women are younger, some seek egg storage to capitalize on reproductive health at that age.
Are eggs viable over 35?
Oocyte cryopreservation is seen as a safe and effective way to store eggs for future use. Egg quality plays a critical role in the success of future IVF cycles. From age 35 and above, the quality of eggs declines significantly. This is seen in the natural pregnancy rates of women aged 40, which can be as low as 10%. Women are more likely to see higher success rates in freezing eggs at a younger age. All is not lost. Studies show that the birth rate per thawed oocyte is low. However, the cumulative live birth rate can be 40% or higher. In other words, the more eggs are stored and preserved, the higher the chances of a successful pregnancy. These numbers may decline as women get older.
Enjoy the benefits of egg storage
Egg freezing is a viable option for women, but there are some factors to consider. The procedure is excellent for delaying the biological clock that concerns women hoping to start a family in the future. Technological advancements have also improved egg survival rates after thawing, making cryopreservation one of the best ways to preserve fertility. At the same time, egg storage can be costly and not covered by insurance. At any age and stage, the process does not guarantee pregnancy when used for IVF. The older a woman gets, the more eggs the fertility clinic will attempt to harvest. There are also emotional and ethical thoughts women face during the process. Despite the challenges, oocyte cryopreservation is a viable option for women over 35.
