As technology in fertility treatments and egg cryopreservation progresses, new options open for women wanting to preserve their fertility. Whether delayed out of medical necessity or personal preference, advances in egg freezing represents the expanding innovative technology making having a family possible. However, the advances come with both risk and reward.
What is Egg Cryopreservation?
The cryopreservation of eggs, or egg freezing as it is commonly called, is a process where a woman undergoes egg stimulation and retrieval and the eggs are then cryopreserved at temperatures that halt the cellular process. The egss are then stored for use in a later fertility treatment.
What are the concerns of Oocyte Cyropreservation?
While freezing sperm and fertilized eggs is routine in fertility treatment, egg cryopreservation is a relatively new and emerging technology considered experimental by the American Society for Reproductive Medicine. These are the common concerns associated with egg freezing:
1) All studies note that further research is necessary even though several studies conclude that babies born of cyropreserved eggs are not at any more risk of abnormalities than children conceived naturally. For some, the potential for birth defects is enough to rule out egg freezing.
2) Another concern is the relatively low success rate of the procedure, although it is increasing.
3) The technology comes with some ethical concerns, as with many other fertility treatments. The primary concerns include the exploitation, and its use to delay childbearing past reproductive age.
What are the Advantages of Oocyte Cyropreservation?
Egg freezing also comes with many advantages. For those needing or wanting to delay childbearing, many of these advantages provide the hope they are looking for.
1) Egg freezing is an attractive option for those who anticipate a medical treatment that could affect fertility, such as cancer treatment. Retrieving and preserving eggs prior to treatment provides an opportunity to pursue a pregnancy post treatment.
2) While still preserving the opportunity to begin a family, egg freezing avoids the personal or religious conflict of what to do about unused embryos for those who are concerned about the freezing and storage of embryos.
3) The ability to preserve eggs is also a benefit to women that want to purse personal or professional development prior to starting a family. Studies show that a large percentage of professional women ages 41-50 would still consider having children who are now childless, but did not choose to be childless at this point in their lifel.
4) Egg freezing is more affordable than egg donation, and remains a major factor in deciding to preserve eggs. It is a gret option for those who are with fertility and cancer issues.
Whether or not egg freezing is the answer to extending fertility will likely stay a very personal decision given the personal convictions, sensitivities, and technological development of fertility treatments surrounding the decision.