Cryopreservation of oocytes: preserving future fertilty
Egg freezing or cryopreservation has increased 250% in Australia since 2014*
Cryopreservation of eggs/oocytes, also known as egg freezing, is a process where a woman's eggs are extracted and frozen at very low temperatures to preserve them for future use. This procedure is typically done for women who want to delay pregnancy for a variety of personal and medical reasons.
The process of cryopreservation typically involves several steps.
First, the woman undergoes hormonal stimulation to produce multiple eggs, which are then retrieved via a minor surgical procedure. The eggs are then prepared for freezing, which typically involves adding a cryoprotectant solution to help protect the eggs from damage during the freezing process. Eggs are then frozen and stored in liquid nitrogen until needed.
When the woman is ready to use the frozen eggs, they are thawed and fertilized with sperm through in vitro fertilization (IVF). The resulting embryos are then transferred to the woman's uterus, with the hope of achieving a successful pregnancy.
Egg freezing can only be as successful as the chromosomal quality of retreived eggs
While cryopreservation of eggs can be an effective way for women to preserve their fertility, it is important to note that there is no guarantee that the eggs will result in a successful pregnancy. Success rates for egg freezing and subsequent IVF can vary depending on a number of factors, including the woman's age and overall health. Women of any age can have eggs with chromosomal abnormalities. The following facts will help you understand the importance of maximising the ‘fertility-optimising window’, the 3-4 monhs prior to ovulation when the egg awakens from a suspended animated state to growing and energising for the potential task ahead.
This is your time to value-add the egg freezing process, an insurance policy on your investment and fertility. You can be sure you did everything in your power to make sure yours will be an excellent egg.
*Rebecca Fett in her book It Starts With The Egg, 2019 states-
Egg quality is not fixed in time or determined by age … we have the power to change it.
The proportions of chromosomal abnormalities can be influenced by nutrients, removal of toxins and lifestyle factors you can influence.
Egg quality impacts fertility in ALL ages. The older you are the greater the chromosomal abnormalities. Even in young and healthy women without fertility issues, there may be cycles where they wont conceive. Chromosomal abnormalities in women over 40 can be as high as 70-80%, women under 35 may have up to 25% of aneuploid eggs.
There is enormous variation in chromosomal abnormality rates among women the same age.
Many clinical studies have shown that avoiding certain toxins and adding specific supplements can increase the percentage of eggs that can develop into quality embryos, that implant into the endometrium, and reduce the risk of early pregnancy loss.
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Be guided through the ‘window of reproductive opportunity’ by implementing the ‘Making Healthy Babies’ eCourse. The five modules will support a reduction of toxins from body and home, provide optimum nutrition to support conception and pregnancy, detail the supplements that support reproduction and cover lifestyle factors that make a difference.
The cost of egg freezing in Australia
The cost of egg freezing in Australia can vary depending on a number of factors, including the location of the clinic, the specific procedures involved, and whether the woman has any underlying medical conditions that may affect the process. Currently, health rebates are available when the procedure is carried out as an outcome of a medical reason as in endometriosis or chemotherapy.
On average, the cost of egg freezing in Australia can range from $7,000 to $12,000, with additional costs for medications, consultations, and follow-up appointments. It is important to note that these costs can vary widely, and some clinics may offer lower or higher prices depending on their specific policies and procedures.
It is also worth noting that while some private health insurance plans may cover some of the costs of egg freezing, this is not always the case. Women who are considering egg freezing should carefully review their insurance policies and consult with their healthcare providers to understand their options and any potential out-of-pocket costs.
The growing trend of egg-freezing
There has been a significant increase in the number of women undergoing egg cryopreservation, also known as egg freezing, in Australia over the past decade. According to data from the Australian and New Zealand Assisted Reproduction Database (ANZARD), the number of women undergoing egg freezing in Australia has increased by more than 250% since 2014.
In 2014, a total of 704 women underwent egg freezing in Australia, while in 2019, the most recent year for which data is available, that number had risen to 2,466 women. This increase is thought to be driven by a number of factors, including greater awareness of the option of egg freezing, advances in technology that have improved the success rates of the procedure, and changes in societal attitudes towards family planning and career advancement.
It is worth noting that while egg freezing has become more common in Australia, it is still a relatively uncommon procedure compared to other forms of assisted reproductive technology, such as in vitro fertilization (IVF). In 2019, for example, more than 17,000 IVF cycles were performed in Australia, compared to just over 2,400 cycles of egg freezing. Nonetheless, the increasing popularity of egg freezing suggests that it is becoming an increasingly important option for women who wish to preserve their fertility for the future.
*Australian and New Zealand Assisted Reproduction Database (ANZARD)
*Rebecca Fett has a science degree in molecular biology and biochemistry and has worked in the field of genetics. She is now a full-time author.