All Posts tagged Embryo Banking

Many people consider the choice of freezing their eggs so they can retrieve them at a later time and start a family. This process is, nowadays, more common than it used to be; there is more information available for people to become aware of the pros and cons, there are more facilities that can store your eggs at an affordable price, and more professionals will suggest it if you want to have your own family later in life, or are undergoing treatments that may affect your fertility. 

When Should I Consider it?

Most cis-women reach the peak of their fertility at age 30. While eggs continue to be produced and can be retrieved after that age, our egg production drops significantly around age 37, and completely stops when entering menopause–usually between 45-55 years of age. Patients who are experiencing severe health concerns that may affect their fertility– such as undergoing chemotherapy, having Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome, or endometriosis– may want to consider undergoing fertility treatments and retrieve their eggs for freezing. Egg freezing is also common among individuals who are undergoing hormone replacement therapy. 

What is the Process?

It is quite a straightforward process to freeze your eggs, so don’t be alarmed by the terminologies used or the clinical equipment needed. In fact, it is very similar to the process of in-vitro fertilization, with the difference being that the eggs are not fertilized immediately, but frozen. Most cycles are complete in about 2-3 weeks. 

1. The first step would be to meet with a fertility specialist to discuss your desire to freeze your eggs. Then, you will schedule an exam for complete medical history, bloodwork, and hormone testing. Your doctor may also recommend a transvaginal ultrasound to assess your ovarian reserve. 
2. You will need to monitor your menstrual cycle and determine the exact dates when you are ovulating. To get more accurate results, your doctor may recommend birth control. After that, you will start stimulating your egg production.
3. Most commonly, you will start by injecting 2-3 hormone medications a day for about ten days. This will encourage a group of eggs to develop at the same time. 
4. To track the ovulation and development of the eggs, you will have frequent blood work done and 4-6 pelvic ultrasounds. 
5. Once your eggs have matured, they will be retrieved. This involves an ultrasound-guided surgical procedure that takes 20-30 minutes under anesthesia. 

And you will have reached the final step! Once an embryologist confirms the eggs are mature, which means they will have the potential to be fertilized, your eggs will head to their deep freeze home: liquid nitrogen tanks in an embryology lab. 

https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/freezing-eggs-preserving-fertility-for-the-future 

https://www.healthline.com/health/egg-freezing-process#timeline