Egg freezing is a proactive way to take control of your fertility future. Many people don’t realize that they are born with all the eggs they will ever have. Unlike other cells in the body, eggs do not regenerate, and both their quantity and quality diminish over time.
The reality is that you are more fertile today than you will ever be, and egg freezing offers a way to safeguard your reproductive potential, giving you the flexibility to build your family on your own timeline.
While the idea of fertility treatments may seem overwhelming at first, the process is often much more manageable than expected. With the right guidance and support, egg freezing can be a straightforward and empowering experience.
Dr. Allison K. Rodgers, reproductive endocrinologist at Fertility Centers of Illinois, provides a clear, step-by-step guide to help you navigate the egg freezing process with confidence.
Step 1: Initial Evaluation
Before beginning the process, a fertility specialist will conduct an evaluation to assess ovarian reserve and overall reproductive health. This typically involves:
- A thorough review of your medical history
- An ultrasound (usually done around the time of your period) to examine ovarian follicles
- Blood work to check hormone levels and determine how well your ovaries are functioning
A fertility specialist may also use an egg freezing calculator using your current age to estimate the number of eggs needed to optimize success. It’s important to remember that not all follicles seen on an ultrasound will contain mature eggs, and not all mature eggs will survive the freezing and thawing process. Because of this, a higher number of eggs increases the likelihood of a successful pregnancy in the future.
Step 2: Developing a Treatment Plan
Once the evaluation is complete, your doctor will create a personalized treatment protocol designed to stimulate your ovaries to produce multiple follicles (that may contain eggs) in one cycle. This involves:
- A course of injectable hormonal medications over approximately 10 days
- Close monitoring through blood tests and ultrasounds to track follicle development
While the idea of daily injections may sound daunting, many people find that they are not as painful as expected. As Dr. Rodgers says, if you can pluck an eyebrow, you can handle fertility treatments!
Step 3: Triggering Ovulation
Once the follicles have grown to the appropriate size, a trigger shot is administered to help mature them for retrieval. This shot is typically given about 36 hours before the procedure.
Step 4: Egg Retrieval Procedure
The egg retrieval is a quick and minimally invasive procedure. The entire procedure typically takes 10 to 15 minutes and is performed under sedation, meaning you won’t feel anything.
During the retrieval, the doctor will carefully access the ovaries through the vaginal wall to collect the fluid that contains the eggs using a small needle attached to an internal ultrasound. Once retrieved, the eggs are evaluated under a microscope, and typically, only the mature eggs are frozen. For most patients, about 75% of the eggs we collect are mature, and these mature eggs can be cryopreserved indefinitely—there’s no expiration date on them, giving you flexibility for the future.
Empowering Your Future Through Egg Freezing
Egg freezing is a powerful tool for those looking to extend their reproductive options. While the process involves multiple steps, each phase is manageable, especially with the guidance of a fertility specialist. With modern technology, frozen eggs remain viable for years, allowing individuals to take control of their fertility on their own timeline.
If you’re considering egg freezing, talk to a fertility expert to determine if it’s the right choice for you.