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You might have heard several times that it is hard to conceive after the age of 35 years, but it is not impossible. It may become a hurdle for some women, but it is not anymore. Women today have the choice of storing and saving their eggs, which can be used in the future when they wish to have a child. Egg freezing or ovarian cryopreservation is for women who think they want to start a family later.
As a woman ages, the DNA of her eggs gets older and can get damaged. This increases the chances of women over the age of 35 to give birth to genetically abnormal babies. Dr Devika Chopra, Infertility Specialist, Bhatia Hospital, Mumbai explains that even though there are several tests to detect such abnormal pregnancies, patients can skip it altogether. Women can use their frozen eggs (more genetically stable) eggs later and can get pregnant when they are financially and emotionally prepared for the same.
Women can freeze their eggs in their 20's and early 30's with the help of egg freezing or ovarian cryopreservation. Dr Chopra explains that the procedure involves taking hormonal injections for around 14 days from the start of their menstrual cycle. The dosage of the injections is decided by a qualified fertility expert and involves blood tests and ultrasounds to determine the eggs reserve of the patient.
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"The injections administered will be synthetic hormones that stimulate the growth of eggs. These are retrieved by an outpatient procedure done around the 14th day (oocyte retrieval) at a fertility clinic. The eggs that are retrieved are flash-frozen in liquid Nitrogen and then can be used later whenever the patient wants to conceive," she explained.
Just like every other medical procedure, egg freezing may also have side effects. According to the expert, the biggest complication includes pain, bleeding and cramps due to retrieval. It can also lead to mood swings due to the changing hormones. Also, patients require to go for yearly renewal which adds to the charges of the procedure. Injections and oocyte retrieval charges can prove to be a financial burden for some people.
Dr Chopra opines that there are many myths associated with the procedure, which may lead people to believe what might not be true. Keeping that in mind, here are the myths associated with ovarian cryopreservation you should know.
Some studies suggest that there are only 70 per cent chances of pregnancy. According to the doctor, around 60 per cent of the frozen oocytes get fertilized by the sperm. Human oocytes sometimes are unable to survive freezing, and 20 per cent of eggs may perish after being thawed.
Genetic mutations can arise from frozen eggs in 10 % cases, and the patient may have to weigh in the risk of increased maternal age and the detrimental effect of advanced age (blood pressure, diabetes) on pregnancy.
As mentioned, the procedure is performed on women of certain ages. Many centres have the capping limit of egg freezing, which is up to 38 years. However, if freezing is done for women who have cancer and will need radiation then there may be no capping limit.
Egg freezing is one option that opens the door for women who want to get pregnant at a later age. So, you don't have to rush into things if you don't wish to because your biological clock is ticking.