Egg Freezing
What is Egg Freezing?
Egg Freezing, or oocyte cryopreservation, is a form of assisted reproductive technology (ART). It includes stimulating the ovaries with medications to collect and freeze multiple eggs for later use.
These eggs can be thawed, fertilised with sperm to create embryos, and then implanted into the uterus during an embryo transfer cycle. People choose to freeze their eggs for various medical reasons, and also for personal use later in life (commonly referred to nowadays as social egg freezing)
The primary objective of egg freezing is to preserve fertility by storing eggs at a younger age, thus potentially increasing the chances of a successful pregnancy. While it doesn’t guarantee future pregnancy, egg freezing can significantly enhance the likelihood of conceiving later.
Recovery and Egg Freezing
After the procedure, you may experience some cramping, abdominal bloating, and light vaginal spotting.
Try pain relievers. Seek urgent medical help in the unlikely occasion of severe abdominal pain or heavy vaginal bleeding.
How does Egg Freezing work?
The egg-freezing process timeline typically takes about 2 weeks from start to finish.
For the best results, the ovarian stimulation phase is synchronised with your menstrual cycle. Throughout this period, your ovaries are closely monitored with ultrasounds and blood tests to track hormone levels and ensure optimal egg production.
Egg-Freezing Process Include:
- Initial Consultation: Discuss your goals with a fertility consultant.
- Medical Evaluation:The doctor will review your medical history, perform blood tests, and evaluate hormone levels.
- Transvaginal Ultrasound: An antral follicle count (AFC) will assess your ovarian reserve.
- Stimulation Protocol: The doctor will recommend a stimulation plan to maximise egg retrieval, and minimise potential risks such as under or over response to the ovarian stimulation medications.
- Medication Instructions:You’ll receive guidance on how to take the necessary medications to stimulate your ovaries. The doctor will also estimate the expected number of eggs to be retrieved.
- Start Medications: Depending on your cycle and doctor’s advice to stimulate your follicles.
- Timing: These medications are typically taken during your period or right after ovulation.
- Regular Monitoring: Blood tests and ultrasounds ensure optimal timing for stimulation injections.
- Stimulation Injections: Administer gonadotropins (FSH and LH) subcutaneously in the abdomen for about 10 days, with frequent monitoring visits.
- Adjustments: The doctor may adjust medication based on your response.
- Trigger Shot:Once follicles reach the desired size, receive a trigger shot to prepare for egg retrieval.
- Arrival and Preparation: Arrive at the clinic for pre-operative preparation, and receive an IV sedation or general anaesthesia in theatre.
- Procedure:A transvaginal ultrasound probe with a needle aspirates the fluid from your follicles, collecting the eggs.
- Collection: The fluid is collected in tubes and examined by an embryologist to isolate the eggs. The mature eggs are rapidly frozen using vitrification within a few hours, which minimises ice crystal formation and improves their survival rates for future use.
- Duration:The procedure takes about 30 minutes.
- Post-Procedure: After waking up, the doctor will inform you of the number of eggs retrieved, which varies by age and ovarian reserve.
Egg freezing costs UAE
The cost of egg freezing varies widely by clinic and location. Most insurance plans don’t cover it.
Egg freezing cost is based on the following factors:
1- Clinic and Location: Costs differ from one clinic to another and also vary by region.
2- Insurance Coverage: Egg freezing is typically not covered by most insurance policies.
3- Cycle-Based Pricing: The cost is generally structured around cycles. Each cycle includes:
- Stimulation Phase: This involves taking medications and regular monitoring to stimulate the growth of eggs.
- Egg Retrieval Procedure: This is the procedure for extracting eggs from the ovaries.
- Freezing: The final step involves freezing the retrieved eggs for future use.
Who might consider Egg freezing Abu Dhabi?
Egg freezing is commonly considered for the following reasons:
1- Delaying Conception: Ideal for those in their 20s or early 30s wishing to focus on their career or other personal goals, as freezing eggs at a younger age can improve future success rates.
2- Preserving Fertility: Essential for patients facing health issues like cancer and/or needing any ovarian surgery that may affect their ovarian reserve such as like ovarian cysts or endometriosis, which may impact fertility later. Freezing eggs before treatments like chemo or radiotherapy can help maintain fertility.
Egg freezing side effects
While most patients experience only mild discomfort during injections and after egg retrieval, the process does carry some risks.
Common Side Effects
- Discomfort: Common during the injection period and post-retrieval.
- Mood Changes: Like hormonal fluctuations in a menstrual cycle, stimulation medications can affect mood.
Rare Risks
- Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome (OHSS): due to ovarian stimulation medications.
- Skin Irritation: Possible at injection sites.
Knowing these risks can guide your decision-making for egg freezing.
You can discuss Egg Freezing in Abu Dhabi with Dr Salem
For egg freezing in Abu Dhabi, you can trust Dr Salem El Shawarby, a Reproductive Medicine and Infertility Consultant. With over 25 years of experience, including 15 years in the UK at top university hospitals, he is an expert in reproductive medicine.
Get in touch now.
