Facts vs Fiction
Elective Egg Freezing is a successful technique to preserve fertility that has been used since the first IVF baby was born in 1986. In 2011 the American Society of Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) concluded that egg freezing, which had been used for medical purposes, such as prior to chemotherapy, was no longer an emerging technology. The pregnancy results from frozen eggs have been proven to be similar to those with fresh eggs.
Female fertility begins to decline around age 30.
Both egg quantity AND quality begin to decline around age 30 as well – and decrease significantly after age 35. That’s why it is so beneficial to preserve your youngest eggs.
By the time a woman reaches menopause (around 45), she will have barely any healthy egg-producing follicles remaining.
And if any follicles remain, they are usually unable to reach full maturation due to natural hormonal changes, which negatively affect their growth.
The younger you are when you freeze your eggs, the better the chances of a successful pregnancy later.
The success rate for IVF with frozen eggs is based on when the eggs are harvested, not when they’re implanted. So if you freeze your eggs when you’re 30 and don’t use them until you’re 40, you will have essentially frozen the process in time. You’ll have the same chance of a successful pregnancy as when you were 30.
An egg freezing cycle takes just two weeks.
An entire cycle lasts just two weeks, including light medications and a few office visits. The egg retrieval procedure usually takes about 20 minutes and you can return to work the next day.
Vitrification is the most advanced technique for freezing eggs.
Vitrification or flash freezing is a newer and more effective method of freezing than cryopreservation. Upon thawing, the eggs have about the same chance of success as a fresh IVF cycle.
There is no limit to the length of time eggs can be frozen.
Eggs can be frozen today and will remain frozen and stable indefinitely with no decrease in quality over time.
You still have plenty of eggs at age 30.
You are born with almost 4 million eggs. By the time you've reached puberty, it drops to 400,000 – where you lose about 1,000 eggs with every menstrual cycle. By age 30, women have just under 100,000 eggs remaining. By 40, that number is close to zero.
If you freeze your eggs, you must use them.
We encourage patients to first try to conceive naturally, and only use their frozen eggs if they're unsuccessful. Or even to save them for a second or third child. In essence, freezing your eggs should be considered a terrific "backup plan."
Egg freezing is an experimental technology.
The first baby born from a frozen egg occurred in 1986. Additionally, the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) has now concluded that egg freezing is a successful technique with outcomes comparable to standard IVF cycles. Egg freezing is NOT considered experimental and is now widely utilized by women as a viable option to preserve their fertility.
Fertility medications make you crazy.
Most women are fully functional on fertility medications and can carry on with their daily routines – including work, exercise, and other activities.
During the ovarian stimulation process, you must have daily ultrasounds and blood tests.
Throughout the two week egg freezing process, you will need to come in several times for testing to determine the best timing for egg retrieval.
The egg removal procedure is painful.
The egg retrieval procedure is done under light anesthesia; it takes about 20 minutes with minimal discomfort. You can go to work the next day.