Don't Delay Egg Freezing!

What is the Prevalence of Infertility in Our Country?

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

Why Do Pregnancy Rates Decrease with Age?

The most important reason for the decrease in pregnancy rates with age is the reduction in egg quality and quantity. While it is possible to achieve high pregnancy rates in the 20s, especially after the age of 35, the rates of achieving pregnancy decrease due to the reduction in both egg count and egg quality.

Why is Egg Freezing Important?

In recent years, women's plans for childbearing have been postponed to later ages due to increased participation in professional life, educational 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 among women aged 35-39 has increased by 150%, and this increase has been observed even more significantly in mothers giving birth between the ages of 40-44.

While all this is happening, it should not be forgotten that the biological clock continues to tick. In our 20s and 30s, a woman's monthly chance of becoming pregnant is approximately 20-30%. In the 40s, this rate drops to only 5% per month.

When Did the Egg Freezing Procedure Begin?

The first pregnancy resulting from egg freezing occurred in 1986. Since then, thanks to the development of a new freezing technique called vitrification, egg freezing has been frequently preferred in suitable patients in our country and worldwide for the last 15 years.

Are Successful Results Being Achieved?

After the egg freezing procedure, successful pregnancy rates similar to global rates are achieved in our country. However, this success is related to egg count, quality, maternal age, and sperm quality.

Who Can Benefit from the Egg Freezing Procedure?

According to the legal regulations in our country, the egg freezing procedure is for:

• Patients who will receive cancer treatment and are at risk of losing ovarian function - before cancer treatment
• Patients who will undergo ovarian cyst surgery due to endometriosis and are expected to have a decrease in egg count - before surgery
• Patients who have not yet given birth and have a family history of early menopause

How is the Egg Freezing Procedure Performed?

Through egg-stimulating hormone treatments, the aim is to multiply the eggs, either one or more. After an average treatment of 10-14 days, the matured eggs are collected under light anesthesia, examined under a microscope, and suitable ones are subjected to the freezing process and stored in liquid nitrogen tanks. The egg retrieval procedure is short, and patients can usually return to their daily activities within two to four hours.

What are the Complications?

There is no known harm of the egg freezing procedure on the ovaries; patients do not enter early menopause due to this procedure. Today, thanks to advanced freezing techniques, it is known that eggs can be stored for over 10 years.

Ideal Age Range

Age is important for the egg freezing procedure; it is crucial for women who wish to freeze their eggs to undergo this procedure before the age of 35, both in terms of egg count and egg quality. Information regarding the benefit of this procedure in patients aged 42 and older is particularly debatable.

How Many Years Can Frozen Eggs Be Stored?

According to our country's regulations, eggs can be stored for up to 5 years with patient consent. Approval from the Ministry of Health is required for storage beyond 5 years.

Are the Babies Healthy?

Studies have shown no increased risk of congenital anomalies compared to natural pregnancies. However, a general risk of premature birth and ectopic pregnancy has been reported in IVF procedures.

What is the Difference from Embryo Freezing?

In egg freezing, hormone medications are given to mature the eggs, similar to the embryo freezing procedure. Differently in embryo freezing, these eggs are combined with sperm to form embryos, which are then frozen, and embryo transfer is performed when the couple and the uterus are suitable.

Chance of Success

According to the results of large-scale studies:

• Egg survival rate: 90-97%
• Embryo formation rate: 71-79%
• Embryo implantation rate: 17-41%
• Pregnancy rate per frozen egg: 4.5% - 12%

In conclusion; egg freezing before cancer treatments or ovarian cyst surgeries due to conditions like endometriosis can be considered a successful method for patients who wish to have children in the future.