Maybe you’ve never considered the idea of freezing your eggs. After all, many women have not. But depending on your age, health and other factors, it may be something to think about. Egg freezing, also known as oocyte cryopreservation, is new assisted reproductive technology that has opened a new horizon for women, allowing the preservation of eggs for future use.
In a nutshell, here’s how it works: Egg freezing involves three primary steps: induction of ovulation, retrieval of the eggs and freezing of them. Your doctor first stimulates the ovaries by giving you follicle stimulating hormone, which allows the production of multiple eggs in a single month. A minor surgical procedure is performed under sedation to remove the eggs from the ovaries. The oocytes are later flash-frozen and stored at minus 320 degrees Fahrenheit until you are ready to conceive.
Here are 4 reasons to consider this procedure:
- You’re not ready – Egg freezing is usually considered for women who wish to delay pregnancy for reasons of concentrating on their career, education and other personal goals.
- Your health got in the way – Egg freezing is ideal for those diagnosed with cancer or need radical surgery and want to preserve their fertility. This process helps protect and preserve your eggs before you undergo cancer treatment therapy.
- Your religion – Egg freezing may also be opted for those who have a religious objection with regard to embryo freezing.
- His timing – Egg freezing is also ideal for couples undergoing fertility treatment in which the male partner is unable to provide sufficient sperm on the day of retrieval.
No matter what your reason, talk to your doctor to see if this treatment is appropriate for you. Egg freezing is an outpatient procedure that can help you build your dreams when you’re ready.