Fertility preservation has become a priority for many women. The most common methods of preserving fertility are egg freezing and embryo freezing. However, how does one decide which method suits them best? Both options provides the opportunity to protect your reproductive potential. However, they diverge in process, success rate, and ethical considerations. In this article, we will explore both options in detail so that you can make an informed decision.
What Is Egg Freezing?
Egg freezing, or oocyte cryopreservation, is a medical procedure in which a woman’s eggs are extracted, frozen, and stored for future use. This method delays pregnancy as a women’s reproductive decisions can be made at a later stage in life.
How Does Egg Freezing Work?
The process of egg freezing begins with ovarian stimulation. In this step, women are hormonally injected for a period of 10-14 days resulting in the ovaries producing several eggs. Following this, the eggs are retrieved through a minor surgical procedure while the patient is sedated.
The Process of Egg Freezing Step by Step
Ovarian Stimulation: In this stage, injections containing hormones are provided to stimulate the ovaries.
Monitoring: Regular blood work and ultrasounds are performed to track the progress of the follicles.
Egg Retrieval: A surgical procedure is done to collect the eggs.
Freezing: The eggs are stored and frozen for later use.
What Is Embryo Freezing?
This process is known as Embryo freezing, which is freezing of fertilized eggs known as embryos for some future use. That’s why we first needed a fertilization to form an egg and a sperm which is an embryo before we could freeze it.
How Does Embryo Freezing Work?
This procedure starts off with an ovarian stimulation to make several eggs like it’s done in freezing. But this time instead of freezing, the eggs are fused with sperm in the lab. The embryos are then stored after they’ve formed.
Step By Step Process of Embryo Freezing
Ovarian Stimulation: The patient is given hormones to foster egg retrieval.
Egg Retrieval: The eggs are collected using a surgical procedure.
Fertilization: The eggs are mixed with sperm and incubated.
Embryo Development: The embryos are placed in culture dishes for five days to verify their development.
Freezing: The embryos are stored after being frozen for potential future utilization.
Primary Differences of Egg Freezing and Embryo Freezing
Biological Differences
Egg freezing and embryo freezing differ primarily from a biological standpoint. Egg freezing only includes the harvesting of oocytes, while embryo freezing involves the fertilization of the oocytes to create embryos which are then frozen. This means that embryo freezing has a slightly higher success rate because embryos will survive the freezing and thawing processes better than eggs.
Ethical Considerations
Women can freeze their eggs for future use without a partner or a sperm donor. In contrast, embryo freezing requires sperm which raises ethical questions regarding what happens when the frozen embryos are never used, or if a relationship changes later on.
Success Rates
Success rates are believed to be higher in embryo freezing than in egg freezing. The rationale for this is that embryos will have an increased chance of surviving for the entire freezing and thawing cycle. The chances of frozen egg successfully being used depend on the age and quality of the eggs at the time of retrieval.
When Should You Consider Egg Freezing?
Ideal Age for Egg Freezing
Recommended age for women interested in egg freezing is in their twenties or thirties when the eggs are most viable. Archived eggs at this age enhances successful pregnancies later in life.
Medical Reasons for Egg Freezing
Women undergoing certain medical procedures like chemotherapy for cancer treatment may be advised to consider egg freezing because it may impact their fertility. It’s also an option for women with certain reproductive health conditions.
Personal and Lifestyle Reasons
Women pursuing higher education or wanting to concentrate on their careers for the time being may choose to freeze their eggs to benefit from these opportunities without suffering a biological clock.
When Should You Consider Embryo Freezing?
Ideal Age for Embryo Freezing
Just like with egg freezing, embryo freezing is most effective when done prior to turning 35. Both the age of the eggs and sperm used in embryo freezing affect the chances of pregnancy.
Medical and Fertility Considerations Related to Embryo Freezing
Embryo freezing can assist couples who have gone through IVF (In Vitro Fertilization) and wish to store embryos for future use. It may also help women who are getting treatment that compromises the quality of both oocytes and sperms.
Comparison of the Expenses: Cryopreservation of Eggs Versus Embryos
All Expenses Associated Summarily
Both procedures are expensive, with egg freezing less expensive than embryo freezing because there are additional costs associated with the crystallization of the fertilized ovum. The total cost for both can range from ₹ 1,50,000 to ₹ 2,00,000 per year depending on the clinic and location.
Pricing and Cost-Effectiveness Factors
As with any other procedure, the price can be influenced by some other factors like the number of cycles needed, medications, and storage of the frozen eggs or embryos.
Success Rates of Egg Freezing and Embryo Freezing
Freezing Egg’s Success Rates
The woman’s age and the quality of the eggs significantly determine success rates for egg freezing. As a rule of frozen eggs, the success rate still remains around 20-30% and younger women are bound to have higher rates.
Success Rate for Freezing Embryos
The success rates of embryo freezing are higher than other methods and are in the range of 40-50%, as embryos are more likely to survive the thawing and implantation process.
Risks Involved with Egg Freezing
Castetration Marks Potential Problems and Side Effects
Egg freezing like every other medical procedure, has its risks such as, ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome, infection, and excessive blood loss. Vitrification or the activities that come about during IVF treatments can have their own fair share of challenges too.
Emotional and Physical Considerations
Egg freezing can be a draining process to go through, especially if it doesn’t go according to plan. In addition to mentally challenging, this process involves taking various hormones via injections, increasing the chances of swelling, mood fluctuations along with discomfort temporarily.
Risks and Challenges of Freezing Embryos
Potential Problems and Side Effects
The physical risks ovarian stimulation alongside other risks associated with egg freezing, embryo freezing shares a lot of them. But the extra complications of fertilization introduces additional questions about embryo’s quality and moral issues pertaining to abandoned embryos.
Ethical along with Psychological Factors
Particularly with storing, embryo freezing comes with great moral and ethical issues when it comes to keeping those embryos, in situations where the hopes to use those embryos might get less or if the relationship of the couple keeping those embryos changes during the course of time.
How to Choose Between Freezing Eggs and Freezing Embryos
Personal Factors and Medical History
Your medical history, age, and whether you have a partner are just some of the things that will greatly impact your decision regarding whether to go for egg freezing or embryo freezing.
Listening to a Fertility Specialist’s Advice
Choose a fertility specialist to discuss with reproductive options. Their advice will be tailored to your specific needs, and they will explain the advantages and disadvantages of each collected method stitched together.
Global Developments in Egg and Embryo Freezing
New Technology Advancements
The success and safety of egg and embryo freezing has improved due to technological advancements in cryopreservation and related procedures in recent years.
How These Procedures Are Evolving
In the future, we may see further advancements in the processes of freezing and thawing eggs and embryos, which would optimize the success rates of the procedures, as well as individualized strategies for each patient.Conclusion
There is no universal approach when it comes to choosing between egg and embryo freezing. In relation to an individual’s health, future aspirations, and personal life, both procedures have pros and cons. Gaining insight about the differences, costs, success rates, and emotional factors involved in each option allows for a more educated decision.
If you’re considering egg freezing or embryo freezing, a consultation with a fertility specialist is advisable. Factors such as having a partner, age, and health will influence their recommendations.
