Egg freezing, also known as oocyte cryopreservation, is a method of preserving a woman’s eggs to be stored for potential future use. This process involves retrieving a woman’s eggs from her ovaries, freezing them, and storing them until they are needed.

Egg freezing is often recommended for career-oriented individuals who may want to have children later in life but are concerned about age-related declines in fertility. By freezing eggs at a younger age when they are typically of higher quality, individuals can increase their chances of having biological children in the future, even if they delay childbearing due to career or personal reasons.

The process of egg freezing typically involves several stages, including ovarian stimulation to produce multiple eggs, egg retrieval through a minimally invasive procedure, and the freezing of the retrieved eggs using a technique called vitrification. When a woman is ready to use her frozen eggs to try to conceive, they are thawed, fertilized with sperm through in vitro fertilization (IVF), and implanted in the uterus.

It’s important to note that while egg freezing can offer women more reproductive options, it is not a guarantee of future pregnancy success. Success rates can vary depending on factors such as the woman’s age at the time of egg retrieval and the quality of the eggs. Additionally, egg freezing can be expensive and may not be covered by insurance, so individuals considering this option should carefully weigh the costs and benefits before proceeding.