HOW MANY YEARS CAN EGGS BE KEPT IN CRYOPRESERVATION

8 May 20263′ read7 sections

CONTENTS

How long-term cryopreservation works
Is there a time limit on egg storage?
What determines success after many years
Do eggs "age" while frozen?
What the law says about storage duration
Conclusion – Egg freezing offers long-term fertility security
Specialist fertility care in Thessaloniki by Dr. Alexandros Traianos at the Centre for Reproductive Medicine and Fetal Medicine

One of the most common questions from women who freeze their eggs in Thessaloniki is how long the eggs can stay in storage without their quality being affected. Modern medical technology now allows eggs to be stored long-term and entirely safely, keeping their biological state essentially unchanged over time.

How long-term cryopreservation works

The eggs are frozen at extremely low temperatures in liquid nitrogen. In this environment:

all biological activity is suspended
cell ageing is prevented
egg quality is preserved
they are unaffected by the passage of time

In essence, the biological age of the eggs is "frozen" at the moment of freezing.

Is there a time limit on egg storage?

From a medical point of view, eggs can remain in cryopreservation:

for decades
with no reduction in their quality
with no change in their structure

Studies show that eggs thawed after more than 10–15 years had excellent survival and fertilisation rates.

What determines success after many years

The chance of a successful pregnancy in the future depends mainly on:

the woman's age when the eggs were frozen
the initial quality of the eggs
the correct cryopreservation technique
the storage conditions

The younger the age at freezing, the better the future results.

Do eggs "age" while frozen?

No. At cryopreservation temperatures:

biological time practically stops
viability is not affected
there is no cellular deterioration

An egg frozen at 30 has the same biological age even after 20 years.

What the law says about storage duration

The storage period is governed by current Greek legislation and can be extended with the woman's consent, ensuring:

full control of the process
safe storage
medical monitoring

Your doctor will explain in detail all the rights and options available.

Conclusion – Egg freezing offers long-term fertility security

Eggs can be stored in cryopreservation for many years without any loss of quality. Modern technology now allows women to protect their fertility and decide with greater freedom when to start a family. The key to success lies in when the eggs are frozen and in the scientific precision of the procedure.

Specialist fertility care in Thessaloniki by Dr. Alexandros Traianos at the Centre for Reproductive Medicine and Fetal Medicine

At the Centre for Reproductive Medicine and Fetal Medicine in Thessaloniki, modern cryopreservation techniques are used with strict protocols for the safety and long-term storage of eggs. Under the guidance of Dr. Alexandros Traianos, every woman receives responsible information, personalised planning and full support at every stage of preserving her fertility.

ABOUT THE DOCTOR

Dr. Alexandros Traianos

Gynecologist · Specialist in Reproductive Medicine and Fetal Medicine

He supports scientific excellence in clinical practice and recognizes the possibilities offered by modern reproductive methods to couples who wish to have a child of their own.

His profile

The content of this article is for information only and does not replace a medical examination and advice.

All articles

Frequently Asked Questions most frequently.

Infertility is defined as the failure to achieve conception after one year (or 6 months in the case of a woman over the age of 35) of normal, regular sexual intercourse. In other words, when a year has passed without the woman becoming pregnant, the couple should consult their treating physician, so that the cause preventing pregnancy can be identified and subsequently addressed. However, we should all be aware and not forget that age is the most critical factor for female fertility, and that an individualized approach to each couple is the "golden key" that solves the problem.

Of course not. In approximately one third of cases, infertility is due to the woman (female factor), while in another third of cases it is due to the man (male factor). In the remaining third, it is due to both partners (both the man and the woman) or even to unknown factors.

• alcohol • narcotic substances • environmental toxins, including pesticides and lead • smoking • health problems • medications • radiotherapy and chemotherapy • age

In general, specialists agree that the fact that a couple has already had a child may be considered evidence that, at least initially, there is no infertility problem. It is like a small test that has been carried out and shows that they “succeeded” at least once. On the other hand, however, we should be aware that circumstances may have changed in the meantime and that a problem may have developed (e.g., the man may have had an inflammation affecting the quality of his sperm, or something may have occurred that affects female fertility: an inflammation, gynecological surgery, an abortion, etc.). In any case, therefore, if a reasonable period of time (one year) passes and a couple is unable to achieve a pregnancy, then, with the help of their doctor, they should investigate whether a problem causing infertility has arisen.

Success rates vary at each IVF center. Very important factors also include the woman’s age, her hormone levels, and, of course, her husband’s sperm. In general, rates are around 45% or slightly higher for women up to 35 years of age.

The number of treatment cycles a woman may undergo is not fixed. It is certain that in our country there are highly qualified obstetrician-gynecologists and well-organized infertility treatment centers that provide excellent medical services in this field. Provided that the appropriate indications are present (e.g., ovaries that respond to stimulation treatment, a good-quality endometrium, etc.), the success rate—particularly with the use of newer techniques and biotechnological medicines, which demonstrate increased bioactivity compared with conventional urine-derived medicines—reaches a cumulative rate of approximately 65%–70% after 4 treatment cycles.

Egg retrieval takes 10–15 minutes, is not painful, is performed under sedation, and after the procedure is completed you can return to your activities.

The association between IVF medications and the risk of developing cancer is the greatest concern for women participating in these programs. However, numerous literature references gathered from reliable scientific studies and published in reputable medical journals worldwide are reassuring and do not confirm this concern.

At Dr. Traianos' Reproductive Medicine Center, we offer egg and sperm cryopreservation services for individuals who have a personal or medical reason and require this service. We use the most advanced vitrification technique for the freezing of sperm and eggs.

How long-term cryopreservation works

Is there a time limit on egg storage?

What determines success after many years

Do eggs "age" while frozen?

What the law says about storage duration

Conclusion – Egg freezing offers long-term fertility security

Specialist fertility care in Thessaloniki by Dr. Alexandros Traianos at the Centre for Reproductive Medicine and Fetal Medicine

The first step is a discussion.

Frequently Asked Questions most frequently.

When is a couple considered infertile?

Is infertility only a female problem?

What increases the risk of male infertility?

I already have one child, but I am now having difficulty becoming pregnant again. Could a problem have arisen with me or with my partner?

What is the success rate of in vitro fertilization?

How many times can a woman undergo in vitro fertilization (IVF)?

Is egg retrieval painful?

Can IVF medications cause cancer?

Can I freeze my eggs or my sperm?