Egg Freezing

Education, career development, marriage at a later age, or treatment for a medical condition may lead some women to postpone pregnancy. In these circumstances, preserving fertility for the future may provide greater reassurance and more reproductive options.

Egg freezing, also known as oocyte cryopreservation, is a modern fertility-preservation method that allows women to collect and store their eggs at a time when egg quality may be more favorable. When pregnancy is desired in the future, the eggs are thawed, fertilized in the laboratory, and the resulting embryo may be transferred into the uterus.

At Taban Fertility Center, ovarian reserve, age, medical history, and future family-planning goals are carefully evaluated before egg freezing so that the most appropriate timing and treatment plan can be selected for each patient.

How is egg freezing performed?

Egg freezing begins with a complete medical evaluation. Ultrasound examinations and laboratory tests are used to assess the ovaries and ovarian reserve.

Medications are then prescribed for several days to stimulate the ovaries so that multiple eggs may develop during the same treatment cycle. Follicle growth is monitored through ultrasound examinations and, when required, blood tests.

Once the follicles reach the appropriate stage, the eggs are collected through a short, minimally invasive procedure. Egg retrieval is usually performed under short-term anesthesia or sedation.

The embryology team then evaluates the collected eggs. Mature eggs that are suitable for storage are frozen using a rapid-freezing method known as vitrification and preserved under controlled laboratory conditions for possible future use.

Who may consider egg freezing?

Egg freezing is not only used as part of infertility treatment. It can also help preserve future reproductive options.

Women planning to postpone pregnancy

Some women choose to delay pregnancy because of personal, educational, professional, or family circumstances. Egg freezing may preserve eggs collected at the woman’s current age for possible use later.

Patients preparing for cancer treatment

Chemotherapy and radiotherapy may affect ovarian reserve and egg quality. When sufficient time is available before treatment begins, egg freezing may be considered as a fertility-preservation option.

Women at risk of reduced ovarian reserve

In some women, ovarian reserve may decline earlier than expected because of genetic factors, ovarian surgery, or certain medical conditions. In these circumstances, the physician may recommend egg freezing to preserve future reproductive opportunities.

Women with endometriosis

For selected patients with endometriosis—particularly before ovarian surgery or when ovarian function may be affected—egg freezing may be considered as part of fertility-preservation planning.

What is the best age for egg freezing?

From a biological perspective, egg quality is generally better at a younger age. For this reason, freezing eggs earlier may provide a greater chance of successful use in the future.

However, age is not the only factor considered. Ovarian reserve, hormone test results, medical condition, and personal life plans also help determine the most appropriate time for egg freezing.

A medical evaluation is therefore essential before making a decision.

Do medical conditions or medications matter?

Yes. Conditions such as diabetes, thyroid disorders, autoimmune diseases, high blood pressure, or certain gynecological conditions do not always prevent egg freezing, but they may affect treatment planning or medication selection.

Patients should also inform their physician about all medications, supplements, previous surgeries, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy.

This information allows the medical team to adapt the treatment plan to the patient’s health and individual circumstances.

No medication should be stopped or changed without medical advice.

Important Information

Egg freezing does not guarantee a future pregnancy

Egg freezing preserves an opportunity for future fertility, but it cannot guarantee pregnancy.

Future treatment outcomes depend on several factors, including:

The woman’s age when the eggs were frozen

Egg quality and maturity

The number of eggs stored

Egg survival after thawing

Sperm quality

Embryo development

Uterine conditions

The woman’s health at the time of treatment

Frozen eggs do not continue to age during storage

When eggs are stored under appropriate conditions, they retain the biological age they had at the time of freezing.

The woman’s increasing age during the storage period does not cause the frozen eggs themselves to become older.

IVF is required to use frozen eggs

When frozen eggs are needed, they are thawed and fertilized in the laboratory using an assisted reproductive technique. The resulting embryo is then cultured and, when appropriate, transferred into the uterus.