Egg freezing is a method indicated to preserve fertility in women who wish to become pregnant later because of work or other personal reasons, or have health conditions that prevent immediate pregnancy, such as cancer treatment or autoimmune diseases, for example. .
However, it is more recommended that freezing, also called gamete cryopreservation, be carried out until the age of 30 because up to this stage the eggs are still of excellent quality, reducing the risk of congenital diseases in the baby linked to the mother’s age, like Down syndrome, for example.
After the freezing process, the eggs can be stored for several years, and there is no time limit for their use. When the woman decides that she wants to get pregnant, fertilization will take place. in vitro using frozen eggs and sperm from your partner or a donor. See what the fertilization procedure is like in vitro.
When is indicated
Egg freezing is generally indicated in the following cases:
- Impossibility of pregnancy due to cancer treatment, such as chemotherapy or radiotherapy;
- Diseases that do not allow pregnancy immediately, such as sickle cell anemia or lupus;
- Family history of early menopause;
- Desire to preserve young eggs for future pregnancy, especially after age 35;
- Fertilization treatment in vitroespecially when there is still not a good amount of sperm from the partner to carry out fertilization;
- Gender diversity, how to be transgender.
When a woman decides not to have children in the future or when there are frozen eggs left over, it is possible to donate these eggs to other women who want to get pregnant or for scientific research.
How freezing is done
The egg freezing process consists of several steps, which include:
1. Clinical assessment of the woman
Blood tests and ultrasound are performed to check the woman’s hormone production and whether she will be able to undergo fertilization. in vitro not future.
2. Stimulation of ovulation with hormones
After the initial exams, the woman will have to have hormone injections in her belly that will stimulate the production of a greater number of eggs than what happens naturally. The injections are given for about 8 to 14 days, and then you need to take medication to stop menstruation.
3. Ovulation monitoring
After this period, a new medication will be given to stimulate the maturation of the eggs, which will be monitored through blood tests and ultrasound. By monitoring this process, the doctor will predict when ovulation will occur and set the date to retrieve the eggs.
4. Egg retrieval
Egg retrieval is carried out in the doctor’s office, with the help of local anesthesia and medication to make the woman sleep and lasts around 30 to 40 minutes.
Generally, around 10 to 15 eggs are removed through the vagina, while the doctor visualizes the ovaries using transvaginal ultrasound, and then the eggs are evaluated and frozen.
5. Egg assessment
After collection, the eggs are evaluated in a laboratory by the embryologist, who is the doctor responsible for assisted reproduction, to check which eggs are mature, and then begin the freezing stage.
6. Storage in liquid nitrogen
After evaluating the mature eggs, a cryoprotectant substance is added, which is a freezing solution that prevents the formation of ice crystals inside the eggs.
The freezing technique can occur by slow cooling, although the most used technique is rapid cooling, called vitrification, which uses a cryoprotectant solution, which helps the eggs survive freezing and be intact and viable when thawed.
Following the vitrification process, the eggs are stored in liquid nitrogen at low temperatures, at -196°C.
Possible complications
While using hormones to induce ovulation, a woman may experience some side effects, such as mood changes, hot flashes, headache or diarrhea. In addition, ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome may occur, with symptoms such as abdominal pain or swelling, and nausea.
Although it is rare, during egg collection, due to the use of the aspiration needle, complications such as bleeding, infections, or injuries to the bladder, intestine or blood vessels may also occur.
When to go to the doctor
It is recommended to seek medical attention after carrying out the egg freezing procedure, if the woman presents symptoms, such as:
- Severe abdominal pain;
- Heavy vaginal bleeding;
- Fever greater than 38ºC;
- Difficulty urinating.
Furthermore, a doctor should be consulted immediately if a woman experiences swelling or sudden weight gain of more than 0.9 kg in 24 hours, so that the most appropriate treatment can be assessed and initiated.
