Don’t be late for egg freezing!

What is the frequency of infertility in our country?

Although infertility is seen at increasing rates today, it is reported that there are approximately 1.5 – 2 million infertile couples in our country.

Is the most important reason why pregnancy rates decrease with age, decreasing egg quality and number?

The most important reason why pregnancy rates decrease with age is the decrease in egg quality and number. While it is possible to achieve high pregnancy rates in the 20s, pregnancy rates decrease, especially after the age of 35, due to the decrease in both the number of eggs and egg quality.

Why is egg freezing important?

In recent years, childbearing plans have been postponed to older ages due to women’s increased participation in business life, education and career goals, and other social and economic reasons. Today, many women wait until after the age of 35 to start a family and have children.In the last 15 years, the number of live births to women aged 35-39 has increased by 150%; and this increase was seen especially in mothers who gave birth between the ages of 40-44. It should not be forgotten that while all this is happening, the biological clock continues to work. It should not be forgotten that the number and quality of eggs decreases, especially after the age of 35, regardless of environmental and familial reasons. In our 20s and 30s, a woman’s monthly pregnancy rate is approximately 20-30%. In your 40s, this rate drops to just 5% per month. It is known that this decrease is faster due to smoking, stress, familial and environmental factors, and some diseases.

How many years has egg freezing been performed in the world and in our country?

The first pregnancy achieved as a result of egg freezing occurred in 1986. After this date, egg freezing has been frequently preferred in suitable patients in our country and around the world for the last 15 years, thanks to the development of a new freezing technique called vitrification.

Are successful results obtained from egg freezing in our country?

After egg freezing, successful pregnancy rates are achieved in our country at rates similar to those in the world. However, this success is related to the number of eggs, their quality, maternal age and sperm quality.

Who can benefit from egg freezing?

According to the legal regulations in our country, egg freezing is recommended before cancer treatment for patients who will receive treatment for cancer and are at risk of losing ovarian functions. Apart from this, preoperative egg freezing is also recommended for patients who will undergo ovarian cyst surgery due to endometriosis, popularly known as chocolate cyst, and whose egg count is expected to decrease. In addition, patients who have not yet given birth and have a family history of early menopause can benefit from egg freezing to preserve fertility.

How is egg freezing done? Is the patient discharged on the same day?

Thanks to the egg enhancing hormone treatments applied in the egg freezing process, it is aimed to multiply the eggs as one or more. After an average of 10-14 days of treatment, the matured eggs are collected under a light dose of anesthesia, examined under a microscope, and the suitable ones are frozen and stored in liquid nitrogen tanks. Egg collection is a short procedure and patients can usually return to their daily activities within two to four hours. If pregnancy is desired, these eggs can be thawed and combined with the appropriate sperm and an embryo can be obtained.

What are the complications of egg freezing? Does freezing damage eggs?

Egg freezing has no known harm to the ovaries, and patients do not enter early menopause due to this procedure. Nowadays, it is known that eggs can be stored for over 10 years thanks to advanced freezing techniques.

Until what age can we benefit from egg freezing? Is there an ideal age range suitable for the procedure? Why is it important to have it done in this age group?

Age is important for egg freezing, especially for women who want to freeze eggs, it is important to have this procedure done before the age of 35 in terms of both egg number and egg quality. As you get older, the number of eggs obtained decreases and the chance of pregnancy decreases accordingly. Information regarding the benefit of this procedure is controversial, especially in patients aged 42 and over.

How many years can frozen eggs be stored?

According to our country’s legislation, eggs can be stored for up to 5 years with patient approval. For approval after 5 years, approval from the Ministry of Health is required. It is technically possible to store eggs for 5 years or more.

Are the babies healthy in pregnancies achieved through egg freezing?

In studies conducted on pregnancies achieved through egg freezing, there is no increased risk of congenital anomalies compared to normal pregnancies. However, there is a general risk of premature birth in in vitro fertilization procedures.