ResourcesEgg Freezing

Egg Freezing

Egg freezing, also known as oocyte cryopreservation, is a groundbreaking fertility preservation option that allows women to take control of their reproductive future. As fertility naturally declines with age, freezing eggs at a younger age can provide more options for future family planning. At Reproductive Partners Fertility Center San Diego (RPSD), we specialize in state-of-the-art egg freezing techniques to give women the best chance of preserving their fertility.

Why Women Consider Egg Freezing

Age-Related Fertility Decline

A woman’s fertility declines significantly after the age of 35 due to a natural decrease in both egg quantity and quality. Egg freezing allows women to preserve their younger, healthier eggs for future use.

Medical Reasons

For women undergoing medical treatments such as chemotherapy or radiation, egg freezing offers an opportunity to safeguard fertility before beginning treatments that may compromise reproductive health. Additionally, women with conditions such as endometriosis, fibroids, or polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) may experience fertility challenges, making egg freezing a proactive option for preserving reproductive potential.

Personal and Lifestyle Choices

Many women choose to freeze their eggs to focus on career advancement, education, or finding the right partner before starting a family. Egg freezing provides the flexibility to plan parenthood on their terms.

The Egg Freezing Process: Step-by-Step

1

Initial Consultation and Fertility Testing:

The process begins with an in-depth consultation with one of our fertility specialists. Hormone testing and an ultrasound help determine ovarian reserve and overall reproductive health.

2

Ovarian Stimulation:

Patients undergo hormone injections for 10–14 days to stimulate the ovaries to produce multiple mature eggs. During this phase, monitoring through blood tests and ultrasounds ensures optimal response to medication.

3

Egg Retrieval:

Once the eggs reach maturity, they are retrieved in a minor outpatient procedure under light sedation. Using ultrasound guidance, a fertility specialist collects the eggs from the ovaries.

4

Freezing and Storage:

The retrieved eggs are rapidly frozen using vitrification, a flash-freezing process that prevents ice crystal formation and preserves egg integrity. Eggs are stored securely until the patient is ready to use them in the future.

Who Is a Good Candidate for Egg Freezing?

Women in their late 20s to early 30s typically have the highest success rates with egg freezing. However, women up to their late 30s may still benefit depending on their ovarian reserve. Egg freezing is a viable option for women with conditions such as endometriosis, premature ovarian failure, or those undergoing medical treatments that affect fertility.

Success Rates & Considerations

Success rates for egg freezing depend on several factors, including the age at which eggs are frozen, and the number of eggs retrieved. Younger eggs generally lead to higher chances of successful fertilization and pregnancy when used in the future. While egg freezing does not guarantee a future pregnancy, it significantly enhances reproductive options.

Success Rates

RPSD: Excellence in Egg Freezing

RPSD stands out as a leader in fertility preservation due to its experienced medical team, advanced vitrification techniques, and personalized patient care. Our laboratory’s high-quality standards and success rates make us a top choice for women considering egg freezing.

Egg Freezing

Fertility & Cancer

Women diagnosed with cancer often face the risk of infertility due to chemotherapy or radiation. Egg freezing provides an essential opportunity to preserve fertility before undergoing treatment, allowing women to maintain the possibility of having biological children in the future.

Embryo Banking

Embryo banking is a well-established fertility preservation method for women with a male partner or those using donor sperm. The process involves ovarian stimulation, egg retrieval, fertilization in the lab, and freezing of the resulting embryos. This typically takes 2-6 weeks, after which the embryos can be transferred post-cancer treatment. For breast cancer patients, specialized protocols minimize estrogen exposure.

Egg Banking

Egg banking follows a similar process but without fertilization. Retrieved eggs are frozen using vitrification and stored for future fertilization. This option is ideal for patients without a male partner or those not using donor sperm.

Ovarian Tissue Banking

For patients who cannot delay cancer treatment, ovarian tissue banking involves removing and freezing ovarian tissue for potential future use. Though still experimental, this method has resulted in successful pregnancies. However, it may not be suitable for cancers like leukemia due to the risk of reintroducing cancer cells.

Fertility-Sparing Surgery

For early-stage cervical or ovarian cancer, fertility-preserving surgeries may conserve reproductive organs or reposition ovaries to protect them from radiation. This allows patients to maintain fertility while undergoing necessary cancer treatment.
Cancer and Fertility Preservation

Real Stories from Women Who Chose Egg Freezing

“I came to Dr Garzo at reproductive partners fertility center for an egg freezing consultation. Before coming to Dr Garzo, I had an extremely terrible experience with the San Diego fertility center. Dr Garzo and staff reviewed my personal data and medical record in depth, and gave me a very thorough plan with detailed recommendation on diet and life style leading to better result. I definitely felt that the staff cared about me and really had my best interest in mind, and did not treat me like a number. I could not proceed with Reproductive partners due to a work relocation, but I highly recommend reproductive partners for anyone who would like to have an accountable professional medical team for egg freezing.”

-Xiaohui Cui
Patient Testimonials

Emotional Aspects

Deciding to freeze eggs can be both empowering and emotionally complex. Some women feel reassured by the ability to preserve their fertility, while others experience mixed emotions about delaying parenthood. Our team at RPSD offers counseling and support to help patients navigate the emotional aspects of their fertility journey.

Emotional Considerations

Frequently Asked Questions

Eggs can remain frozen indefinitely with no decrease in quality. When the patient is ready to use them, they can be thawed and fertilized.

Most women tolerate the hormone stimulation phase well, experiencing mild bloating or discomfort. The egg retrieval procedure is performed under sedation, making it virtually painless.

Costs vary based on the number of cycles needed, medication, and storage fees. Our team can provide a detailed cost breakdown and discuss financing options.

When the time is right, frozen eggs are thawed, fertilized with sperm, and transferred as embryos during an in vitro fertilization (IVF) cycle.

Let’s Take the Next Step Together

Our skilled fertility specialists are here to help. Contact us today and let’s discuss the next phase of your fertility journey.

Schedule Your Appointment