FREEZING EGGS: EVERYTHING YOU WANT TO KNOW

26 February 20242′ read2 sections

CONTENTS

Answers to the five most common questions about egg freezing
We can help you begin your egg freezing journey

Egg freezing is a big step, so you want to be sure you have all the information you need to decide whether it is right for you. At our Centre, we help women who are considering fertility preservation every day. Over the years, we have seen the same questions about egg freezing come up again and again, so we are taking some time to answer them here.

Answers to the five most common questions about egg freezing

When is the best time to freeze your eggs?

Ideally, it is wise to freeze your eggs early if you want to wait until your mid-30s to early 40s to become a mother. Female fertility declines with age, so most women should freeze eggs in their 20s or early 30s. However, every woman is unique, so fertility testing can provide specific guidance for your situation.

What does egg freezing involve?

It involves a few steps. First, injectable fertility medications are given to encourage your body to mature multiple eggs. When your eggs are mature, you will undergo an egg retrieval procedure. An embryologist will then freeze your eggs in the IVF laboratory.

What happens when I want to have a child with my frozen eggs?

An embryologist will thaw your eggs before fertilising them with sperm from your partner or from a chosen sperm donor. One of the resulting embryos will then be transferred to your uterus.

How long can you store frozen eggs?

You can store your eggs indefinitely, as there is no evidence that the quality of frozen eggs declines over time.

Who should freeze their eggs?

Any woman who wants to think about motherhood, or who knows she wants to delay motherhood, should consider egg freezing. Some women do it because they want to focus on their professional, personal and educational goals before having a child. Others do it before undergoing treatments such as chemotherapy or radiotherapy, which may harm fertility.

We can help you begin your egg freezing journey

If you think egg freezing could be a good option for you and your life, our specialists are always happy to answer your questions, so that you feel informed and empowered to make the decisions that are right for you. Book a consultation! Contact the "Dr. Alexandros Traianos" Centre for Reproductive Medicine today by calling ☎️(+30) 2310 277 032 or by sending a message to 📧email alexandrostraianos@gmail.com.

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.

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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.

Answers to the five most common questions about egg freezing

When is the best time to freeze your eggs?

What does egg freezing involve?

What happens when I want to have a child with my frozen eggs?

How long can you store frozen eggs?

Who should freeze their eggs?

We can help you begin your egg freezing journey

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?