Egg freezing, also known as oocyte cryopreservation, is a fertility preservation technique that allows women to freeze and store their eggs for future use. At SHIFAA PAN African Hospitals, our Obstetric Care department offers egg freezing services to women who wish to preserve their fertility for various personal or medical reasons.

Procedure:

The egg freezing process typically involves the following steps:

• -Ovarian Stimulation: Women undergo hormonal medication therapy to stimulate the ovaries to produce multiple eggs. This involves daily injections of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and sometimes other medications to control the timing of ovulation.
• -Monitoring: During ovarian stimulation, women undergo regular monitoring through blood tests and ultrasound scans to track the development of ovarian follicles (fluid-filled sacs containing eggs) and to adjust medication dosages as needed.
• -Egg Retrieval: Once the ovarian follicles reach an optimal size, a trigger injection is administered to induce final maturation of the eggs. About 36 hours later, a minor surgical procedure called transvaginal ultrasound-guided oocyte retrieval (TVOR) is performed under sedation or anesthesia to collect the eggs from the ovaries.
• -Egg Freezing: After retrieval, the eggs are immediately taken to the laboratory, where they are evaluated, processed, and cryopreserved using a flash-freezing technique called vitrification. The eggs are then stored in liquid nitrogen at very low temperatures until they are needed in the future.

Indications:

Egg freezing may be recommended for various reasons, including:

• Preserving fertility for women undergoing cancer treatment, such as chemotherapy or radiation therapy, which may affect ovarian function.
• Delaying childbearing for personal or professional reasons, such as pursuing higher education, career advancement, or finding the right partner.
• Preserving fertility for women at risk of premature ovarian failure due to genetic conditions or other medical reasons.

Post-Treatment Care:

After egg retrieval, women may experience mild cramping, bloating, or spotting, which typically resolves within a few days. They may also receive instructions on how to care for themselves post-procedure and when to follow up with their healthcare provider.

 

How does egg freezing work?

Egg freezing involves stimulating the ovaries to produce multiple eggs, retrieving the eggs from the ovaries, and then freezing and storing them for future use.

 

Who can benefit from egg freezing?

Egg freezing may benefit women undergoing cancer treatment, those who wish to delay childbearing for personal or professional reasons, and those at risk of premature ovarian failure.

 

What is the success rate of egg freezing?

Success rates vary but are generally higher in younger women with a good ovarian reserve.

 

Is egg freezing safe?

Egg freezing is considered safe, although there are risks associated with ovarian stimulation and egg retrieval, such as ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome and bleeding or infection.

 

How long can eggs be stored?

Eggs can be stored indefinitely, but regulations vary by country, and storage fees may apply.

 

What happens when I’m ready to use my frozen eggs?

When you’re ready to use your frozen eggs, they will be thawed, fertilized with sperm in the laboratory through a process called intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), and then transferred into the uterus as embryos.

 

Are there any age restrictions for egg freezing?

While there are no strict age restrictions, egg freezing is generally more successful in younger women, so it is often recommended for women under 35.