Facing all the information and options on fertility treatments and assisted reproductive technologies can get quite daunting and intimidating. We hope to clear things up about embryo and egg freezing for you with this guide. It is important to note that while women can freeze their eggs when they are unmarried, frozen eggs can only be used if the woman is legally married under Hong Kong law (not same-sex couples).
Egg Freezing
Egg freezing is a procedure that allows women to preserve their fertility for the future. Most females are born with about 2 million eggs, and at adolescence that number decreases to about 400,000. By age 37, there remain about 25,000; and as women experience menopause, the number of eggs that remain is about 1,000, though they are no longer fertile. By freezing eggs, a woman can decide when to give birth, without the time pressure and worry of the decreasing number of eggs. People may also wish to freeze their eggs before undergoing hormone therapy, cancer treatment, or other medical intervention that affects fertility.
Egg freezing starts with fertility medications to stimulate the ovaries. Once the eggs reach maturity, they are extracted through a surgical procedure. Instead of immediately fertilizing the eggs, they are flash-frozen using a technique called vitrification. This process preserves the eggs in their prime state, ensuring their viability for future use. The frozen eggs are stored in a specialized facility, often called a fertility clinic, until they are ready to be thawed. Depending on the regulations of the country, fertility clinics may hold your frozen eggs for 10 years or longer. When the time is right for you, the frozen eggs are warmed up, fertilized with sperm, and the resulting embryos are transferred into the womb. It's like a fertility time capsule, preserving your options until you're ready to build your family.
Embryo Freezing
In embryo freezing, the same procedure occurs where your ovaries are stimulated and eggs retrieved via an out-patient procedure after about 2 weeks of hormonal stimulation. The difference is that instead of immediately freezing your eggs, they are fertilized with the sperm of a partner or a donor to create embryos. If using a partner's sperm, sperm is collected on the day of egg retrieval and used to fertilize the mature eggs. If using donor sperm, the sperm donor will be chosen prior to the procedure and the specimen prepared by the lab.
After 5-7 days for the fertilized eggs to reach blastocyst stage (not all will make it), the embryos are evaluated and graded to determine those most likely to successfully develop when implanted. Once developed into embryos, they are then assessed and preserved through vitrification. When the couple or woman is ready to use the embryos, there will be preparation for the body to be ready for the implantation procedures.
Which is Right for You?
Well, the answer depends on your unique circumstances, goals, and personal preferences. It's always best to consult with a qualified fertility specialist who can provide personalized advice based on your medical history and individual needs. Here are some questions to think through:
Why are you preserving fertility?
For women who have cancer or a family history of early menopause, it may be good to think about egg freezing options to ensure you have options for family building in the future. Also, you may not be prioritizing building a family but instead a career at the moment. Many women opt to freeze their eggs (and if they have a partner, embryos), so they can fully focus on their career during their prime fertility years and put off the worry of a diminishing ovarian reserve. It gives you the freedom to extend your reproductive timeline and potentially increase your chances of future success.
Are you a single woman?
If you are a single woman, in certain countries, you are only allowed to freeze eggs (not embryos). Some countries even limit the age at which women can legally freeze their eggs or have restrictions to single women fertilizing their eggs.
Are you religious?
In certain religions, embryos are considered a life, and discarding embryos may be seen as an immoral act. Since most women don't end up using all of their frozen embryos, embryo freezing may become a moral and religious dilemma, and may not be accepted.
How did your fertility screening go?
If you don't have a high ovarian reserve, your fertility specialist may suggest you freeze embryos. Frozen embryos are less fragile than frozen eggs and tend to have a higher success rate resulting in a successful pregnancy. With eggs, more are needed for improving your chances. Due to attrition, it usually takes about 15+ frozen eggs to eventually result in a successful embryo.
NB: This article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult with a qualified healthcare professional for personalized guidance on your specific situation.
