Egg Freezing

Egg freezing process can be defined as preserving the egg cells obtained from the woman for future use. For this purpose, hormone injections and egg cell growth techniques are used. After the eggs are seen to be grown, the purchase takes place for the egg freezing process.

How is Egg Freezing Performed?

Egg freezing is a long process that starts from the person’s menstrual period. On the 2nd or 3rd day of the menstrual period, the egg enlargement process begins with the help of hormone injections. After 10-15 days of egg enlargement, the eggs are checked with ultrasound for 3-4 times. As soon as it is decided that the eggs have grown enough, a cracking needle is made. Egg collection is performed from the patient within 36 hours after the injection. This procedure is performed under general anesthesia with the help of vaginal ultrasound. The process, which takes an average of 15 minutes, is terminated without spoiling the eggs thanks to the fast freezing method. The fast freezing process means that the eggs are stored with a -196 degree shock until the patient thinks about having a child.

In Which Situations Can Egg Freezing Procedure Be Done?

There may be situations where egg freezing can be performed, depending on the wishes of the people, as well as situations where there are difficulties in vital matters. In this context, even if their eggs are very healthy, people can perform egg freezing in order to have children in the future. In addition, people may want to freeze their eggs due to serious issues such as cancer treatment.

How Many Years Are Frozen Eggs Stored?

The waiting period of the eggs was limited to 5 years with the protocol signed before. However, eggs can be preserved for an unlimited period of time. In this context, the patient must go to the relevant health institution every year and sign. With the signed petition given, eggs can be stored for an unlimited period of time.

Who Can Perform the Egg Freezing Process?

People who can freeze eggs were previously restricted to people who had serious events such as cancer treatment. But now, anyone can have the egg freezing procedure done. People who are recommended to have egg freezing procedure can be listed as follows:

• People who require procedures such as chemotherapy and radiotherapy to damage the eggs should perform freezing before the start of the procedures.

• People who are preparing to undergo surgery that will result in the loss of reproductive functions, such as not removing the ovaries, should have a freezing procedure before surgery.

• Women with a family history of early menopause should have freezing at a young age.

• Couples who cannot match the maturation period of the eggs and the days when the sperm cells are of good quality are directed to the freezing process.

• If embryo freezing is prohibited in the country of residence, they are directed to egg freezing.

• Eggs are frozen only in cases such as delaying pregnancy and not wanting to be a mother at an early age.

Advantages of Egg Freezing Technique

The convenience provided by the egg freezing process can be summarized as being parents at the age and situation they want. Thanks to this method, when a woman whose eggs are frozen at the age of 30, the eggs remain the same when she turns 40. The age of the mother is very important for pregnancy. In this context, as the mother’s age progresses, the number of egg follicles decreases. Due to the decreasing number of follicles, the number of eggs, their quality and the possibility of attachment decrease. Therefore, miscarriages, infant deaths in the womb and unhealthy baby births occur. The follicle reduction event that starts after the age of 35 accelerates at the age of 40 and gradually steps into menopause. Therefore, the possibility of having a baby is completely eliminated. For this reason, early ages should be preferred when making egg freezing.

Egg freezing allows the mother to conceive even in situations that will completely eliminate the chance of pregnancy, such as removing the ovaries in the future. In addition, if the reserve is low, the egg freezing process ensures the selection of the best quality egg, thus increasing the possibility of a healthy birth.