Egg freezing or egg preservation is not new in the medical field, as this technology has been used for several decades, especially in patients who need cancer treatment, which may involve chemotherapy or radiation therapy that can damage the eggs in the ovaries. These patients often choose to preserve their eggs in advance for future use when they want to have children. Additionally, some women with genetic abnormalities, such as Turner syndrome, or those who experience premature ovarian failure, may lose the chance to have children if they marry late.
Currently, the trend of delayed marriage and childbirth has led many to consider egg freezing as a way to plan for having children in the future. As age increases, egg quality and the chance of natural pregnancy decrease, making egg freezing an important option for those who want to prepare before having children in the 5G era.
Who should preserve eggs by freezing?
Egg freezing or egg preservation is suitable for women who want to plan for children in the future, especially those who are not ready to have children during their reproductive years, such as:
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Women who have partners but are not yet married and expect to take several years before starting a family
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Women over 35 years old, when egg quality and quantity naturally decline
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Women working with chemicals or in high-risk groups affecting ovarian health
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Women with certain genetic conditions, such as Turner syndrome, or with a history of premature ovarian failure
Choosing to freeze eggs at a younger age increases the chances of successful pregnancy in the future, reduces the risk of infertility, and allows modern women to plan their lives more flexibly.
What are the steps for egg preservation by freezing?
‘Egg preservation by freezing’ involves steps similar to in vitro fertilization (IVF), divided into several stages, including:
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Ovarian stimulation
The doctor will inject hormones to stimulate egg production continuously for about 10 days and monitor with ultrasound and hormone level tests regularly. -
Egg retrieval
When the eggs have grown and reached the appropriate size, an injection to mature the eggs (HCG) is given, then the doctor will aspirate the eggs from the ovaries through the vagina. -
Egg freezing
Selected mature eggs are immediately frozen in liquid nitrogen at a temperature of -195 degrees Celsius.
If eggs are needed in the future, they can be thawed and fertilized with sperm using the ICSI technique before transferring the embryo back into the uterus.
How effective is egg preservation treatment?
The quality of preserved eggs is directly related to the woman’s age. The younger the age at egg freezing, the higher the survival rate of eggs after thawing. For example, if 10 eggs are frozen, about 7–8 eggs may survive, which is a good rate to start the IVF process.
After thawing and fertilizing with sperm, the fertilization rate is comparable to using fresh eggs, and children born from frozen eggs have similar development and health to those born naturally or through conventional IVF.
Common question… How long can eggs be stored frozen?
Theoretically, cells stored in liquid nitrogen at -195 degrees Celsius stop all activity and do not change, so it can be said that cells can last indefinitely.
However, there are currently no reports on how long eggs can be stored and still result in pregnancy. The latest data only includes reports of eggs frozen for about 4-5 years, thawed, fertilized with sperm, embryos transferred into the uterus, resulting in normal pregnancy and childbirth.
Side effects and complications that may occur during egg preservation
Similar to the general IVF process, egg freezing carries risks that need to be considered, such as:
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Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome (OHSS)
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Risks from egg retrieval, such as bleeding or pain after the procedure
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Side effects from hormone medications, such as nausea and bloating
However, these risks can be reduced if under the care of specialized doctors and using technology suitable for each individual’s body.
How to prepare before egg retrieval?
The important thing is to take care of both physical and mental health, eat a balanced diet with all five food groups, increase vegetables, fruits, and protein, and exercise regularly. Additionally, reducing stress will benefit both egg quality and ovarian response when starting the egg preservation process.
Dr. Teerayut Jongwutiwes
Reproductive Specialist
Infertility Treatment Center, Phyathai 2 Hospital
