Trish McMorrow, MSN, Clinical Educator at Progyny
Researchers in Australia sought out to answer the question, “What are the reproductive experiences of women who cryopreserve oocytes for non-medical reasons?” They surveyed nearly 100 women who underwent egg freezing at Melbourne IVF between 1999-2014. Of the 96 respondents to the survey nearly half said they had frozen their eggs in the past 2 years. While the study found that only 6% of the women had used their frozen eggs and only 3% had given birth using their frozen eggs, there are many limitations to this data.
A major limitation is, most of these women have recently frozen their eggs. Egg freezing has only recently gained traction and it doesn’t surprise me that of the 96 respondents from 1999 to 2014 nearly half had frozen in the past two years. I suspect that some of these women will plan to use these eggs in their future. This study can be used as an extra piece of information that a woman can use to help inform her decision, but I would take it with a grain of salt considering the limitations.
More Research Is Needed
More research is needed as the number of healthy women who freeze their eggs are proactively electing this procedure in order to avoid age-related infertility. If this study was conducted in a year or two, it would’ve had the potential to help women make more informed decisions. In the meantime, I always recommend for women to go for an initial consultation. Family planning can and should be a very informed process, whether in preventing pregnancy or planning for it.
The reality is that egg freezing is essentially an insurance policy. It is not meant to be a guarantee that you will need or want to use them. It gives a woman or couple the option shall you need or want to in the future, to use these eggs from their younger years when egg quality is potentially better.
Get the Facts
I always encourage women to get all the facts, consult with your OB/GYN and even make an appointment with a fertility specialist. You’ll be armed with the information you need to make the best decision for your future. Have an initial consultation, a fact-finding mission. More information is never a bad thing. Some may find out that they already have a decreased ovarian reserve and you can save yourself from the heartache in the future. Maybe your fertility specialist tells you they see no benefit in going through egg freezing. You never know until you get all the facts. Egg freezing is not a “one size fits all” family planning method but it can be seen as an insurance policy on your future family. Family planning is very personal and unique to each individual or couple.
What’s Next?
It’s time to really consider your 5 to 10-year plan. There are a number of questions to ask yourself and your partner such as, where do you see yourself? What are you doing in life? Where do you want to be in your career and family? Do children fit into that equation? How important is it to have biological children?
Once you’ve had your consultation, considered the facts, and your desires for the future then you can decide if egg freezing is the right option or not. Till then, don’t let this study intimidate you from egg freezing.