Egg freezing: Why do some women opt for this fertility-preserving technique?

Highly respected senior fertility specialist Dr Anu Chawla shares her expert insight on egg freezing, a form of fertility preservation for women, in this informative article. The leading specialist sheds light on the key reasons women opt for egg freezing, and also details what the process entails.

What is egg freezing?

Egg freezing is a technique used to preserve fertility, enabling women to store their eggs for future use. Typically, women undergoing this process take medication over several days to stimulate egg growth, followed by a brief procedure to collect the matured eggs. It is advisable for patients to consider multiple cycles to ensure an adequate number of eggs are stored.

If you're contemplating egg freezing, it's crucial to make an informed decision after discussing its effectiveness, safety, and associated costs with a specialist.

Who can benefit from egg freezing?

• Women who wish to delay childbearing until a later time
• Women with specific medical conditions necessitating fertility preservation before undergoing treatment (e.g. cancer)
• Those seeking the flexibility to choose the timing of their pregnancy

Why do some women opt for egg freezing?

Women have various motivations for choosing to freeze their eggs. Some may do so for personal reasons, perhaps due to not having found the right life partner or because the present moment isn't conducive to starting a family.

For others, it may be a medical decision, especially in situations like facing a cancer diagnosis or being at risk of early menopause. Egg freezing offers a sense of reassurance and empowerment, granting women control over their own fertility. The advent of egg vitrification represents a significant leap in providing women with the autonomy to decide when to start their families, and, for these reasons, it is viewed as a pivotal stride towards gender equality.

What does the egg freezing process entail?

We employ the vitrification method for rapid egg freezing during the collection process. Women typically undergo a short course of medication to facilitate egg maturation before they are retrieved in a brief procedure. To achieve optimal results in terms of egg quality and quantity, it is generally advised to consider egg freezing before the age of 35.

When contemplating this procedure, it's imperative to make a well-informed decision after discussing its safety, effectiveness, and associated expenses. Additionally, we offer counselling services to all women should you require extra support.

If you are considering egg freezing, or other types of fertility preservation, and wish to discuss your options, schedule an appointment with Dr Chawla today by visiting her Top Doctors profile.