Is freezing eggs the right move for future moms?

Egg freezing or oocyte cryopreservation , is a process where a woman's eggs are harvested, frozen and stored for future use.

Many women consider egg freezing to increase their chances of having a child later. Women can delay childbirth without the pressure of declining egg quality. It is also useful for women facing medical treatments that may affect fertility such as chemotherapy.

The procedure typically involves hormonal stimulation to produce multiple eggs, which are then retrieved and frozen. Egg freezing success rates vary based on age at the time of freezing. Younger women generally have a higher chances of successful pregnancy when using frozen eggs.

It's recommended to consider freezing eggs before age 35 as egg quality declines with age.

The process can be expensive, often involving medication, retrieval, and storage fees. Also, the decision to freeze eggs can come with emotional challenges and should be considered carefully. At the same time It empowers women to take control of their reproductive timeline, reducing pressure to conceive by a certain age.

IVF and egg freezing generally do not hamper fertility. This procedure involves ovarian stimulation to retrieve multiple eggs, which may lead to a temporary increase in hormone levels, but it doesn’t harm overall fertility. Women can still conceive naturally.

IVF and egg freezing are designed to preserve or assist with fertility rather than hinder it. If a woman has pre existing fertility issues due to an underlying condition (like PCOS or endometriosis), this procedure may not improve natural fertility if these conditions persist.

While there are risks with every procedure , many women undergo egg freezing without significant complications. It’s important to consult with a fertility specialist to understand the process, risks, and personal circumstances before proceeding.

Natural fertility can be hampered by a variety of factors like age related decline in egg quality. As women age both the quantity and quality of eggs decrease, making it harder to conceive.

Health conditions like Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) affect natural fertility. This condition affects ovulation and hormone levels.

• Endometriosis can cause pain and affect fertility by impacting reproductive organs.

Uterine issues like fibroids can interfere with implantation or pregnancy.

Lifestyle factors like being underweight or overweight can disrupt hormonal balance and ovulation.

Smoking and Alcohol can negatively impact fertility in both men and women.

High stress levels can disrupt hormonal balance and ovulation.

Chemicals in the environment can impact reproductive health.

Chemotherapy/Radiation treatments can harm reproductive organs and reduce fertility.

Freezing eggs does not harm the remaining ovarian reserve or reproductive function and many women successfully conceive using frozen eggs without long term complications.

(Author: Dr. Mallika Solanki ,Obstetrician & Gynecologist)