Egg Freezing Cheat Sheet! Things You Need to Know Before Freezing Your Eggs

How Many Eggs Should You Freeze?

It is recommended for women aged 30 to 35, who do not have immediate plans for pregnancy, to consider freezing their eggs earlier. The recommended number of eggs to freeze varies based on age:

Age is an important factor affecting the quantity and quality of frozen eggs. Generally, the ideal age range for egg freezing is from 30 to 35 years old, as the quality of eggs is better and the fertility potential is higher during this time. As age increases, the quality of eggs gradually declines. Therefore, the effectiveness of egg freezing decreases when performed after the age of 37. Depending on individual fertility planning, it is recommended that each woman decide on the number of eggs to freeze based on her age and fertility goals, and consult with a physician for detailed advice. As women's pregnancy rates decrease with age, it is advisable for older women to freeze a greater number of eggs to meet their future fertility needs.

Will egg retrieval be painful? Will it harm the ovaries?

The egg retrieval process is done under general anesthesia, where the physician retrieves the eggs through vaginal puncture. The incision is tiny, like a pinhole, so you won't feel anything. It's like having a nap, and when you wake up, it's all done, and there's no need for hospitalization. Short-term medication used during the egg freezing process typically doesn't have adverse effects on the body. If the individual undergoing egg freezing has a history of conditions like breast cancer or is at high risk, they should inform the physician before starting the procedure. This way, the physician can take special precautions or adjust medication dosages accordingly. The primary risk of egg freezing is ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome, but the likelihood of its occurrence is very low and easily preventable. Undergoing a physical examination before starting the egg freezing process to determine if one has polycystic ovary syndrome or excessively high estrogen levels can help avoid it.

Will egg retrieval cause premature aging or early menopause?

There is no evidence to suggest that egg freezing leads to premature aging or early onset of menopause. In fact, the egg freezing process simply preserves eggs that would naturally be discarded each month.

Will ovulation induction injections affect hormones?

The ovulation induction injections used during the egg freezing process may temporarily alter hormone levels, but these changes will naturally revert once the medication is stopped.

How can frozen eggs be used afterward?

In Taiwan, adult women can legally freeze their eggs, and eggs can be stored for over 10 years. However, according to current regulations on assisted reproduction, only heterosexual married couples can undergo assisted reproductive procedures. Unmarried women in Taiwan cannot use thawed eggs for artificial insemination or IVF procedures, so many lesbian couples and single women choose to freeze their eggs in the United States or transport them there to undergo IVF procedures to avoid legal issues.

Further Reading:Congratulations to Taiwanese Lesbian couple YouTuber on the successful completion of their US IVF journey!

What is the best age to freeze eggs?

Most fertility clinics recommend that women between the ages of 30 and 35 consider freezing their eggs if they do not have immediate plans for pregnancy. While there are no strict rules about what age is too late for egg freezing, after the age of 37, the quality of eggs significantly declines, and consequently, the effectiveness of egg freezing decreases as well. Therefore, the earlier eggs are frozen, the better their quality, leading to higher success rates for future IVF procedures.

Further reading: Is there an Age Limit on Egg Freezing ? Two Common Questions about Egg Freezing

Egg Freezing Process and Costs

The egg freezing process consists of six stages:

1.Pre-health check: Includes AMH (Anti-Müllerian hormone) testing and vaginal ultrasound to assess ovarian function and follicle status.

2.Ovulation induction: Stimulates the ovaries with hormone injections to promote follicle maturation.

3.Monitoring follicle growth: Regular check-ups to monitor follicle maturity and determine the timing for egg retrieval.

4.Triggering ovulation: Using specific medications to induce optimal follicle maturity.

5.Egg retrieval: Conducted under general anesthesia, mature eggs are retrieved from the ovaries.

6.Egg freezing: Utilizing advanced vitrification freezing technology, eggs are preserved in liquid nitrogen at -196°C.

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Further reading:Thanks Taiwan media for reporting: U.S. surrogacy attracts Taiwan's single/LGBT community to seek parenthood across the sea

Source: Some information referenced above is sourced from Lee Women’s Hospital