You are born with a finite or limited number of eggs; this number and quality declines with age – an unfortunate reality that affects your fertility with time. Thinking about your biological clock can cause angst, especially because aging is inevitable. Fortunately, egg freezing or egg banking Newport Beach can help you preserve fertility. Whether you are trying to coordinate the timing of family planning with career planning or are still waiting for the right partner, there are various reasons why you might not be willing to start or grow your family yet. Here are some things you should know to help you decide if freezing is the way to go:
Fertility drugs cause side effects
Before egg retrieval, you will undergo hormone treatment to stimulate the production of multiple eggs. Usually, hormone injections are self-administered; you will inject yourself at home between one and three times a day. Unfortunately, fertility medications have unpleasant side effects, including headaches, nausea and vomiting, cramps, and mood changes; these are normal and usually lessen with time. Although rare, hormone injections can cause ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome, whereby ovaries swell and become painful. The egg-freezing process also requires you to make time for a few rounds of blood work and ultrasounds.
The egg retrieval process carries some risks
Usually, the egg retrieval process uses transvaginal ultrasound aspiration, whereby your doctor inserts a needle into the ovarian follicles to retrieve the eggs. Normally, your doctor uses an ultrasound to guide the procedure, but if the eggs are not visible, they may perform abdominal surgery to remove them. Complications are rare, but if they occur, they may include bleeding, infection, and damage to the bladder or bowel. After the procedure, you may also experience bloating, cramping, and spotting.
These are not reasons to avoid egg freezing, but it is vital to know that, like other medical procedures, egg retrieval comes with risks.
Egg freezing does not guarantee a successful pregnancy
Although egg freezing increases the likelihood of a future pregnancy, it is not a sure thing. The success rate of egg freezing depends on factors such as age and the quality of your eggs. Additionally, some eggs do not survive the thawing process, and not all will be successfully fertilized by sperm. The success rates are difficult to predict, but egg freezing is more likely to benefit women who froze their eggs at a younger age.
Although there is no perfect age to freeze your eggs, the optimal time is in your 20s and 30s, when you have a higher ovarian reserve and healthier eggs. Your doctor can test your fertility hormones to tell the state of your ovarian reserve and help you decide if egg freezing is appropriate. To ensure healthy and viable eggs, fertility experts limit egg freezing to women aged 38 and below.
It is normal to feel overwhelmed when making decisions about your fertility options. Egg freezing is a personal decision that you should take the time to think through. You also want to seek a second opinion from a medical professional to make an informed decision.
If you have questions about egg freezing, consult your specialist at YourEggs.
