Health and Me

Tanya Dutt

When Is The Right Time For Freezing Your Eggs?

As a woman entering her late 20s and early 30s, many women like me begin thinking about their <span>reproductive health</span> aka the biological clock. For some, the racing biological clock reminds them of the societal as well as personal pressures regarding family planning. Be they singles, highly committed to their careers, or going through an ambivalent relationship, the question of preserving fertility tends to knock on their minds.

<span>Egg freezing</span>, also known as <span>oocyte cryopreservation</span>, is an option that has gained significant traction in recent years. It offers women the ability to pause their biological clock and preserve the possibility of having children in the future. But when is the right time to freeze your eggs? Is it a decision that should be made in your 20s, 30s, or later? It is essential to understand the medical procedure, personal factors, and risks involved to make an informed choice. 

Egg freezing takes a woman's unfertilized eggs from her ovaries and stores them at sub-zero temperatures to be utilized later. It is made to enable women to keep their fertility intact, especially if they are not yet ready to have a baby.

Dr. Pavithra M, Obstetrician, Gynecologist, and Infertility Specialist, describes that the workup begins with hormone workup and evaluation of various parameters, such as age, body mass index (BMI), and ovarian reserve. "On the second day of the menstrual cycle, baseline ultrasound scanning is performed to assess the number of follicles; thereafter, various tests of blood are conducted to assess hormone levels. If a woman's parameters are all normal, then she is administered hormonal injections for about 10-12 days."

It causes ovarian hyperstimulation and multiple mature eggs, monitored through ultrasound scans. A trigger shot is administered once the follicles have reached optimal size to help with final egg maturation. It takes 34-35 hours from the trigger shot, wherein eggs are retrieved by minimally invasive procedures under general anesthesia.

"Using a transvaginal ultrasound probe with a needle, each follicle is punctured, and the follicular fluid is aspirated. The retrieved eggs are then screened for quality before undergoing vitrification—a rapid freezing technique that minimizes ice crystal formation and cellular damage," adds Dr. Pavithra. The eggs are then stored in liquid nitrogen tanks for long-term preservation.

<h2>Why Do Women Choose to Freeze Their Eggs?</h2>

The women freeze their eggs for significant medical, social, and personal reasons.

Egg freezing is considered a proactive measure among women whose medical conditions and treatments might influence their fertility. These include:

<ul><li>Cancer treatment: Most women freeze their eggs since chemotherapy and radiation therapy can greatly reduce ovarian function.</li><li>Risk of premature menopause: A family history of early menopause or genetic disorders like Turner syndrome makes the women want to freeze their eggs early.</li><li>Ovarian diseases: Diseases such as polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) and endometriosis reduce the possibility of getting pregnant.</li></ul>

Therefore, freezing the eggs before treating the disease or getting the surgery will be advantageous.

With the changing societal norms, most women focus on their career, education, and personal development before settling to raise a family.

<ul><li>Postponing motherhood: Some females prefer to have an established financial capability and success in their careers before settling to have children.</li><li>Not prepared to have a child: Because of personal reasons or lack of a good life companion, many females opt to freeze their eggs for use at the appropriate time.</li><li>Relationship concerns: Egg freezing reduces the pressure of finding the right partner within a specific reproductive timeframe, allowing women to approach relationships with less urgency.</li></ul>

<h2>Age and Egg Freezing: Why Timing Matters?</h2>

While egg freezing is possible at various stages of life, experts recommend doing it at an optimal age for better outcomes.

"Egg freezing is best done in the late 20s or early 30s when the eggs are of higher quality," says Dr. Pavithra. "It can still be done in the late 30s, but since ovarian reserve diminishes with age, younger eggs have a better chance of resulting in successful pregnancies."

Women have only so many eggs at birth, which naturally decline in quantity and quality with age. With greater advancing age, there's a significantly increased risk of chromosomal anomalies with eggs, making conception increasingly difficult while raising the risk of miscarriage or birth defects.

Health Risks and Considerations Related to Egg Freezing

Egg freezing is considered safe in most cases; however, there are specific health risks to be concerned with, including:

Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome: This is a rare but serious side effect in which an overstimulated ovary(s) will become swollen and painful, resulting in bloating, nausea, and abdominal pain

Risk of surgery: The procedure of collecting eggs is very minimal, with the chance of infection, bleeding, or damage to other organs

Emotional impact: This process may emotionally drain; hormone injections can be quite grueling, causing irritation or mood swings, general fatigue and anxiety.

Success rates: Not all eggs survive the freezing and thawing process and even though there is no absolute guarantee of a future pregnancy.

<h2>How to Judge if Egg Freezing Right Choice for You?</h2>

It is a highly personal decision to freeze your eggs or not, a decision determined by career aspirations, health conditions, and life circumstances. The procedure serves as a plan B for those wanting to delay motherhood; however, such individuals should expect little miracles in the form of success rates.

"Egg freezing empowers women to take control of their reproductive timeline," concludes Dr. Pavithra. "However, consulting with a fertility specialist and thoroughly understanding the process is crucial before making this decision."

Ultimately, if you’re considering egg freezing, early consultation with a reproductive specialist can provide clarity on the best time to proceed, ensuring the high

<em><strong>Dr. Pavithra M is an Obstetrician, Gynecologist, and Infertility Specialist at <b><i>Garbhagudi IVF Centre, Kalyan Nagar, </i></b>Bengaluru in India</strong></em>

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As a woman entering her late 20s and early 30s, many women like me begin thinking about their reproductive health aka the biological clock. For some, the racing biological clock reminds them of the societal as well as personal pressures regarding family planning. Be they singles, highly committed to their careers, or going through an ambivalent relationship, the question of preserving fertility tends to knock on their minds.Egg freezing, also known as oocyte cryopreservation, is an option that has gained significant traction in recent years. It offers women the ability to pause their biological clock and preserve the possibility of having children in the future. But when is the right time to freeze your eggs? Is it a decision that should be made in your 20s, 30s, or later? It is essential to understand the medical procedure, personal factors, and risks involved to make an informed choice. Egg freezing takes a woman's unfertilized eggs from her ovaries and stores them at sub-zero temperatures to be utilized later. It is made to enable women to keep their fertility intact, especially if they are not yet ready to have a baby.Dr. Pavithra M, Obstetrician, Gynecologist, and Infertility Specialist, describes that the workup begins with hormone workup and evaluation of various parameters, such as age, body mass index (BMI), and ovarian reserve. "On the second day of the menstrual cycle, baseline ultrasound scanning is performed to assess the number of follicles; thereafter, various tests of blood are conducted to assess hormone levels. If a woman's parameters are all normal, then she is administered hormonal injections for about 10-12 days."It causes ovarian hyperstimulation and multiple mature eggs, monitored through ultrasound scans. A trigger shot is administered once the follicles have reached optimal size to help with final egg maturation. It takes 34-35 hours from the trigger shot, wherein eggs are retrieved by minimally invasive procedures under general anesthesia."Using a transvaginal ultrasound probe with a needle, each follicle is punctured, and the follicular fluid is aspirated. The retrieved eggs are then screened for quality before undergoing vitrification—a rapid freezing technique that minimizes ice crystal formation and cellular damage," adds Dr. Pavithra. The eggs are then stored in liquid nitrogen tanks for long-term preservation.Why Do Women Choose to Freeze Their Eggs?The women freeze their eggs for significant medical, social, and personal reasons.Medical ReasonsEgg freezing is considered a proactive measure among women whose medical conditions and treatments might influence their fertility. These include:Cancer treatment: Most women freeze their eggs since chemotherapy and radiation therapy can greatly reduce ovarian function.Risk of premature menopause: A family history of early menopause or genetic disorders like Turner syndrome makes the women want to freeze their eggs early.Ovarian diseases: Diseases such as polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) and endometriosis reduce the possibility of getting pregnant.Therefore, freezing the eggs before treating the disease or getting the surgery will be advantageous.Personal and Social ReasonsWith the changing societal norms, most women focus on their career, education, and personal development before settling to raise a family.Postponing motherhood: Some females prefer to have an established financial capability and success in their careers before settling to have children.Not prepared to have a child: Because of personal reasons or lack of a good life companion, many females opt to freeze their eggs for use at the appropriate time.Relationship concerns: Egg freezing reduces the pressure of finding the right partner within a specific reproductive timeframe, allowing women to approach relationships with less urgency.Age and Egg Freezing: Why Timing Matters?While egg freezing is possible at various stages of life, experts recommend doing it at an optimal age for better outcomes."Egg freezing is best done in the late 20s or early 30s when the eggs are of higher quality," says Dr. Pavithra. "It can still be done in the late 30s, but since ovarian reserve diminishes with age, younger eggs have a better chance of resulting in successful pregnancies."Women have only so many eggs at birth, which naturally decline in quantity and quality with age. With greater advancing age, there's a significantly increased risk of chromosomal anomalies with eggs, making conception increasingly difficult while raising the risk of miscarriage or birth defects.Health Risks and Considerations Related to Egg FreezingEgg freezing is considered safe in most cases; however, there are specific health risks to be concerned with, including:Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome: This is a rare but serious side effect in which an overstimulated ovary(s) will become swollen and painful, resulting in bloating, nausea, and abdominal painRisk of surgery: The procedure of collecting eggs is very minimal, with the chance of infection, bleeding, or damage to other organsEmotional impact: This process may emotionally drain; hormone injections can be quite grueling, causing irritation or mood swings, general fatigue and anxiety.Success rates: Not all eggs survive the freezing and thawing process and even though there is no absolute guarantee of a future pregnancy.How to Judge if Egg Freezing Right Choice for You?It is a highly personal decision to freeze your eggs or not, a decision determined by career aspirations, health conditions, and life circumstances. The procedure serves as a plan B for those wanting to delay motherhood; however, such individuals should expect little miracles in the form of success rates."Egg freezing empowers women to take control of their reproductive timeline," concludes Dr. Pavithra. "However, consulting with a fertility specialist and thoroughly understanding the process is crucial before making this decision."Ultimately, if you’re considering egg freezing, early consultation with a reproductive specialist can provide clarity on the best time to proceed, ensuring the highDr. Pavithra M is an Obstetrician, Gynecologist, and Infertility Specialist at Garbhagudi IVF Centre, Kalyan Nagar, Bengaluru in India