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Egg freezing
Egg cryopreservation, also known as egg freezing, is a beneficial procedure for preserving fertility. As a woman ages, the quality and quantity of her eggs decline, which can reduce the chances of conceiving and having a healthy baby.
There are various reasons why women choose to freeze their eggs. Some may prioritise their professional goals before starting a family, while others may have a family history of premature menopause. Additionally, women facing cancer treatments such as chemotherapy or radiation may opt for egg cryopreservation to preserve their fertility.
Thanks to advancements in assisted reproduction, it is possible for women to have a child at an advanced age. Unlike the impact of age on egg quality, the uterus is not significantly affected by age.
Freezing eggs at a younger reproductive age leads to higher success rates in achieving a future pregnancy.
Younger women generally have better egg quality, increasing their chances of successful pregnancy.
The process of egg cryopreservation involves hormonal stimulation of the ovaries to collect the eggs. These eggs are then carefully cryopreserved and stored using the modern technique of vitrification.
When the woman is ready to pursue pregnancy, the frozen eggs are thawed, fertilised and the resulting embryos are transferred to her uterus.
It is important to note that egg cryopreservation is a safe procedure. It does not compromise the quality of the eggs and does not increase complications during pregnancy after fertilisation with cryopreserved eggs.