Just what is egg freezing and can anyone do it?
“Oocyte cryopreservation” or egg freezing is a breakthrough technology that allows women to freeze and store their eggs until thy are ready to have a baby, at which time the eggs are thawed, fertilized and transferred to the uterus as embryos.
Today, many women are feeling the pressure of having to choose between a career, having a family, traveling, and many new and exciting options. Some are returning to school or pursuing advanced degrees and don’t know when or if they will have children. For many, it may simply be an issue of not having found the right person yet. For all of these women, egg freezing is revolutionary not just in its technology, but in the freedom it can offer in allowing them to postpone childbearing.
Egg freezing can be useful for individuals with religious or moral objections to storing frozen embryos. Frequently, in routine IVF, any excess embryos that remain are frozen for future use. However, if they are not to be used, their disposal can create a difficult ethical issue. The ability to freeze unfertilized eggs offers a positive solution for many people. Egg freezing is often used by women who have been diagnosed with cancer or who may suspect cancer down the road. There are many reasons why women and men freeze their eggs and sperm, and if you are under the age of 35 or have good quality eggs, then egg freezing may be the best option for you to provide more options down the road. If you have any questions about egg freezing, how it works, or if you would be a good candidate for it, please call our office in Santa Monica! The Egg Freezing Center at Santa Monica Fertility is happy to answer all of your questions!
Back to Blogs Contact Us