{"id":899,"date":"2022-11-11T14:53:56","date_gmt":"2022-11-11T19:53:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/alexroblesmd.com\/?p=899"},"modified":"2023-11-05T14:30:11","modified_gmt":"2023-11-05T19:30:11","slug":"egg-freeze-process","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/alexroblesmd.com\/egg-freeze-process\/","title":{"rendered":"The Egg Freezing Process Explained Simply (Timeline & Expectations)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Jennifer Aniston made headlines recently when she said she wished someone had told her to freeze her eggs when younger.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In her interview, Aniston opened up about her fertility journey and how she attempted multiple cycles of in vitro fertilization without success.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Unfortunately, this is a common story.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

More and more people are turning to egg freezing for fertility preservation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So, what is the egg freezing process like, and should you do it?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"egg<\/figure>\n\n\n\n\n\n

What Is Egg Freezing and What Are the Benefits?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Egg freezing, also known as oocyte cryopreservation, is a fertility treatment in which eggs are removed from the ovaries and frozen for future use.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The eggs can remain frozen indefinitely until a later date when the person wishes to become pregnant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are several reasons why someone might elect to freeze their eggs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Who Should Consider Freezing Their Eggs?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Here are some of the most common reasons why you might consider freezing your eggs:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You’re Not Yet Ready To Have Children Or Haven’t Found The Right Partner<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Egg freezing is particularly popular among persons who are not yet ready to have children but want to increase their chances of having a baby later in life. The sad truth is that fertility declines in the mid to late 30s, and it becomes increasingly difficult to conceive as you age due to the biological clock.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

You Have A Family History Of Early Menopause<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

If you have a family history of premature menopause (i.e., menopause occurring before age 40), you may want to consider oocyte cryopreservation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

By freezing your eggs at an early age, you can preserve your reproductive potential, even if your ovaries stop functioning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You Have A Medical Condition That May Affect Your Fertility<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Unfortunately, many medical conditions can negatively impact fertility. For example, many women experience an unexpected cancer diagnosis early in life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In these cases, egg freezing can give you the option of fertility preservation before undergoing chemotherapy or radiation therapy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How Long Does The Entire Process Take?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

An egg freezing cycle takes approximately two to three weeks from the start of your menstrual cycle to the actual egg retrieval procedure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, the entire process, from the initial consultation to the retrieval, can take at least one to two months.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After your consultation, your doctor order some initial tests, including a pelvic ultrasound and blood work to assess your ovarian reserve.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What Does The Egg Freezing Process Entail? <\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The egg-freezing process involves three main steps:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \n
  1. Stimulation of Ovarian Follicles<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. Egg Retrieval<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  3. Freezing the Eggs<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    The Stimulation Phase<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    After your initial consultation and workup, the first step is stimulating your ovaries to produce multiple follicles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    We stimulate follicular growth using different hormone injections that you administer yourself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    On average, the ovarian stimulation phase takes around ten days. <\/a>You will go to the office periodically during this phase for monitoring with blood tests and ultrasounds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \"picture<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    Once the follicles have reached a certain size, you will take a trigger shot to mature<\/a> the eggs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Approximately 36 hours later, you will undergo the egg retrieval procedure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    The Egg Retrieval Process<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    The egg retrieval is a quick, minimally-invasive outpatient procedure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    You will receive anesthesia for light sedation. Once asleep, a small needle is passed through the vagina and into each ovary during the procedure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    We drain the follicles and collect the fluid (which contains the eggs) in a sterile tube.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    The procedure takes about 20 minutes,<\/a> and you go home the same day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    The Freezing Process<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    Once the eggs are retrieved, the embryologists assess each egg for maturity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Only the mature eggs are frozen using a process called vitrification, a quick-freezing method that helps minimize damage to the egg.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    After the eggs are frozen, they are stored in liquid nitrogen until you are ready to use them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Sample Egg Freezing Timeline<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    Here is a sample timeline of the process.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Month 1 <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n