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Why it's done
By Mayo Clinic staffEgg freezing might be an option if you're not ready to become pregnant now but want to try to ensure your ability to get pregnant or have a biological child in the future.
Unlike with fertilized egg freezing (embryo cryopreservation), egg freezing doesn't require a participating male partner or use of a sperm donor because the eggs won't be fertilized before they're frozen. Just as with embryo freezing, however, you'll need to use fertility drugs to induce ovulation so that you'll produce multiple eggs for retrieval.
You might consider egg freezing if:
- You're about to undergo cancer treatment. Certain cancer treatments — such as radiation or chemotherapy — can harm your fertility. Egg freezing before treatment might allow you to have biological children at a later date.
- You're undergoing in vitro fertilization. If your partner isn't able to produce sufficient sperm on the day you have your eggs retrieved, egg freezing might be needed. When undergoing in vitro fertilization, some people prefer egg freezing to embryo freezing for religious or ethical reasons.
Egg freezing might be appealing if you're concerned about age-related infertility, but the method isn't recommended for this purpose due to the risks, costs and limited success rates.
You can use your frozen eggs to try to conceive a biological child with sperm from a partner or a sperm donor. A donor can be known or anonymous. The embryo can also be implanted in the uterus of a gestational carrier.
References
- Chung K, et al. Fertility preserving options for women of advancing age. http://www.uptodate.com/index. Accessed Aug. 1, 2012.
- Jensen JR, et al. Fertility preservation. Mayo Clinic Proceedings. 2011;86:45.
- Reproductive aging in women. American Society for Reproductive Medicine. http://www.asrm.org/uploadedFiles/ASRM_Content/Resources/Patient_Resources/Fact_Sheets_and_Info_Booklets/reproaging.pdf. Accessed Aug. 16, 2012.
- Practice Committee of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine and the Practice Committee of the Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology. Ovarian tissue and oocyte cryopreservation. Fertility and Sterility. 2008;90:S241.
- Lee SJ, et al. American Society of Clinical Oncology recommendations on fertility preservation in cancer patients. Journal of Clinical Oncology. 2006;24:2917.
- Noyes N, et al. Oocyte cryopreservation: Is it time to remove its experimental label? Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics. 2010;27:69.
- Grifo JA, et al. Delivery rate using cryopreserved oocytes is comparable to conventional in vitro fertilization using fresh oocytes: Potential fertility preservation for female cancer patients. Fertility and Sterility. 2010;93:391.
- Tucker M, et al. Human oocyte cryopreservation: A valid alternative to embryo cryopreservation? European Journal of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Biology. 2004;113:S24.
- Rienzi L, et al. Consistent and predictable delivery rates after oocyte vitrification: An observational longitudinal cohort multicentric study. Human Reproduction. 2012;27:1606.
- Frequently asked questions. Pregnancy FAQ060. Later childbearing. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Frequently asked questions. Gynecologic problems FAQ026. Detecting and treating breast problems. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. http://www.acog.org/~/media/For%20Patients/faq026.ashx?dmc=1&ts=20111213T1052571310. Accessed. Accessed Oct. 11, 2012.
- Infertility: An overview. The American Society for Reproductive Medicine. http://www.asrm.org/uploadedFiles/ASRM_Content/Resources/Patient_Resources/Fact_Sheets_and_Info_Booklets/infertility_overview.pdf. Accessed Oct. 11, 2012.
- Frequently asked questions. Gynecologic problems FAQ137. Treating infertility. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. http://www.acog.org/~/media/For%20Patients/faq137.pdf?dmc=1&ts=20121011T1619214667. Accessed. Accessed Oct. 11, 2012.
- Fretts RC. Effect of advanced age on fertility and pregnancy in women. http://www.uptodate.com/index. Accessed Aug. 1, 2012.
- Cleary-Goldman J, et al. Impact of maternal age on obstetric outcome. Obstetrics & Gynecology. 2005;105:983.
- Assisted reproductive technologies: A guide for patients. American Society for Reproductive Medicine. http://www.asrm.org/uploadedFiles/ASRM_Content/Resources/Patient_Resources/Fact_Sheets_and_Info_Booklets/ART.pdf. Accessed Oct. 12, 2012.
- The Practice Committees of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine and the Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology. Mature oocyte cryopreservation: A guideline. Fertility and Sterility. 2012. In press. Accessed Nov. 27, 2012.
- Fauser B, et al. Overview of ovulation induction. http://www.uptodate.com/index. Accessed Oct. 15, 2012.
- Anesthesia experience. American Society of Anesthesiologists. http://www.lifelinetomodernmedicine.com/FAQs/anesthesia%20experience.aspx. Accessed Oct. 15, 2012.
- The Practice Committee of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine. Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome. Fertility and Sterility. 2008;90:188.
- Hughes E, et al. Clomiphene citrate for unexplained subfertility in women. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. http://www.thecochranelibrary.com/view/0/index.html. Accessed Oct. 15, 2012.
- Fauser BCJM. Overview of ovulation induction. http://www.uptodate.com/index. Accessed Nov. 30, 2012.
- Jensen JR (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Dec. 17, 2012.
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