Egg (Oocyte) Freezing & Storage
What Is Egg Freezing?
Egg freezing (also known as oocyte cryopreservation) is a fertility preservation method where a woman’s eggs are collected, frozen, and stored for future use. It is particularly useful for women who wish to delay pregnancy due to personal, medical, or social reasons.
Thanks to advances in freezing methods, particularly vitrification (ultra-rapid freezing), vitrification supports egg preservation. The eggs are stored in liquid nitrogen at −196°C for up to 5 years in the UAE, with mandatory annual renewals and the option to extend storage for an additional 5 years.
Who Should Consider Egg Freezing?
Personal Reasons:
- Women who wish to delay childbearing for career, education, or relationship reasons.
- Women who are not ready to start a family but want to safeguard their future fertility.
Medical Conditions:
- Women undergoing treatments such as chemotherapy or radiotherapy, which can damage ovaries.
- Women with autoimmune conditions like lupus or rheumatoid arthritis.
- Women with a family history of early menopause.
The Egg Freezing Process
Step 1: Consultation and Diagnostics
You will meet with a fertility specialist to review your medical history.
- AMH blood test (Anti-Müllerian Hormone).
- Antral Follicle Count (AFC) via ultrasound.
Step 2: Ovarian Stimulation
- Hormonal medications are taken for 10–14 days to stimulate multiple follicles in the ovaries.
- Your response is monitored via blood tests and ultrasounds.
Step 3: Egg Retrieval
- Once follicles reach maturity, eggs are collected in a 30- 40-minute procedure under sedation.
- A thin needle is inserted through the vaginal wall into each ovary to aspirate the follicles.
Step 4: Freezing and Storage
- Only mature eggs (at the Metaphase II stage) are frozen using vitrification.
- These eggs are stored in liquid nitrogen at −196°C.
Step 5: Thawing and Future Use
- When ready, the eggs are thawed and fertilised using ICSI.
- Resulting embryos can be transferred in a fresh or frozen cycle.
How Many Eggs Should I Freeze?
According to ESHRE and ASRM recommendations:
- <35 years: Aim to freeze at least 15–20 mature eggs. ESRHE and ASRM suggest egg number targets based on age.
- 35–37 years: Consider freezing 20–25 mature eggs.
- 38–40 years: Aim for 25–30 eggs.
- Over 40: Egg freezing is less effective; egg freezing outcomes vary by age.
Success depends on:
- Age at the time of freezing.
- Number of mature eggs retrieved.
- Quality of sperm at the time of use.
Risks and Considerations
- Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome (OHSS): Rare but can occur during stimulation.
- Not all eggs survive thawing: Approx. 70-80% of frozen eggs survive.
- Not all eggs fertilise or result in a healthy pregnancy.
- Emotional and financial investment: Outcomes depend on multiple individual factors.
Success Rates
- Around 75% of collected eggs are typically suitable for freezing.
- On average, 70–80% survive the thaw, and approximately 60-70% fertilise.
- Live birth rates are higher in women who froze eggs before 35, and decline with age.
Cohort studies show that the chance of live birth increases significantly when more mature eggs are frozen at younger ages. However, due to the small percentage of women who return to use their frozen eggs (estimated at 4%), clinic-reported egg-freezing success data may be limited.
Our Advice at Almond Blossoms
Egg freezing can be a powerful tool for preserving fertility, but it’s not a guarantee. We encourage:
- Early planning: Freeze before age 35 if possible.
- Informed decision-making: Understand the process, costs, and realistic success rates.
- Follow-up consultations: Review your results and future plans annually.
If you’re considering egg freezing, book a consultation with one of our fertility specialists today.