What Should I Know About Egg Freezing?

Thanks to egg freezing, women can freeze their eggs without losing their reproductive abilities and use these eggs to have children in the future. You can find the answers to all the questions you are wondering about, such as how egg freezing is done, who it is recommended for, how long it takes, in our article.

Egg (Oocyte) Freezing

Egg freezing is a method that women who want to become mothers in the future but do not want to give birth at the moment can use. Eggs collected from the ovaries are frozen and stored for future use and can be thawed and used whenever desired. The main obstacles to having children are the decreasing ovarian reserve and quality of the ovaries that decrease with age. Scientific studies and current treatment results show that the success rate of having children decreases significantly in women after the age of 40. When the risk of low ovarian reserve or early menopause is added to this for various reasons, many women experience the anxiety of not being able to have children in the future at much earlier ages. Egg freezing allows women to freeze their eggs without losing their reproductive ability and use these eggs to have children in the future.

Who is Egg Freezing Recommended for?

Before Treatments Like Chemotherapy and Radiotherapy In women who need to start treatments that damage egg cells, such as chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Operations Related to Reproductive Functions In patients who will undergo an operation that will cause the loss of reproductive functions (such as removal of the ovaries). In Case of Early Menopause in the Family Women who have a history of early menopause in the family or who have low ovarian reserve but have not yet become pregnant. If There is a Plan to Become a Mother at an Advanced Age In women who are career-oriented and postpone motherhood until after their 30s. Until recently, egg freezing was not permitted in our country according to the assisted reproductive techniques legislation. However, the revised regulation legally permits egg freezing under certain conditions, such as the person receiving radiotherapy and/or chemotherapy that are harmful to reproductive cells after being diagnosed with cancer, undergoing a serious surgical operation that will cause the loss of reproductive functions, or being diagnosed with low ovarian reserve in women who are single and do not plan to get married in the near future. Can Single Women Freeze Eggs? "Is egg freezing applied to singles?" is one of the questions we frequently encounter. Yes, single women can freeze eggs. There is no decrease in the number of eggs of those who have egg freezing, and the procedure does not harm the ovaries in any way. Is Egg Freezing Painful? No, you will not feel any pain during the procedure. The procedure is performed under general anesthesia and lasts about 15 minutes. After the procedure, you may feel mild pain similar to menstrual pain in the groin. Things to Consider When Choosing a Center for Egg Freezing We have briefly summarized the answer to the question "How to choose the best egg freezing center?" for you. In order for egg freezing to be performed effectively and safely, the center providing this service must have an experienced and technologically strong embryology laboratory. Within our health group, all the methods and techniques that are applied in the world and have proven their efficiency are successfully applied, and the vitrification method is used in egg freezing. The rapid freezing technique called vitrification provides revolutionary and successful results in egg freezing. Correct application is very important for the vitrification technique to be successful. In addition to fast and correct freezing, fast and correct thawing is equally important. Since the number and quality of eggs obtained in women diagnosed with low ovarian reserve or at risk of early menopause are already extremely limited, the loss during or after the freezing process should be at the lowest possible level. Our centers employ over 40 embryologists experienced in this field. Thanks to our experience and technological infrastructure, the pregnancy results obtained in the freezing and thawing processes we perform using this method are similar to our normal pregnancy results. Is Egg Freezing a Costly Procedure? Compared to its advantages and benefits to the person, embryo or egg freezing is not actually a costly practice. However, since special kits and tanks are required for freezing and storing, a one-time freezing fee is charged in the centers that provide the service. In addition, since very low temperature environments are required for the long-term storage of eggs without being damaged, it is necessary to constantly supplement the storage systems with liquid nitrogen from outside to provide this environment, and this brings an annual cost. An annual maintenance fee is requested for this cost in the centers. To learn "How much does egg freezing cost?" you can fill out our contact form or contact us via WhatsApp.

How is Egg Freezing Performed?

For egg freezing, the ovaries in women need to be stimulated with hormones. The treatment starts on the 2nd or 3rd day of the menstrual period and lasts approximately 12-15 days. The collected eggs are frozen in the laboratory using a special method called vitrification and stored for use at a later date.

Egg Freezing Process Step by Step:

Doctor's Interview:

During your first visit with the doctor, your doctor will examine you and request a blood test. If there is no condition that needs to be treated after the tests and all conditions are suitable, treatment will begin on the 2nd or 3rd day of your period. You will begin using the medications prescribed by your doctor on the specified days and doses.

Follow-up Process:

During this period, when you continue to use ovarian stimulating hormone medications, you will visit your doctor at certain intervals. During the follow-up period, the patient comes to our center 3-5 times. At each check-up, an examination is performed, hormone levels are checked, and medication doses are adjusted according to these findings.

Application of the Cracking Needle:

You should apply the cracking needle the day before the collection process. The time the cracking needle will be applied is very important. Your doctor will tell you at what time you should apply it. You should definitely apply the needle at the time your doctor has specified.

Egg Collection Procedure:

When the follicle size reaches the desired level, egg collection is performed with ultrasound guidance using a needle inserted through the vagina. This procedure takes approximately 15 minutes under general anesthesia. Egg collection is painless, and you can continue your daily life after resting for a while in the hospital.

Egg Freezing Process:

Eggs are frozen without the formation of water crystals using the vitrification technique. Frozen eggs are stored in liquid nitrogen tanks at -196 degrees. Within our health group, all the latest methods and techniques applied in the world and proven to be effective are successfully applied and the vitrification method is used in egg freezing. The rapid freezing technique called vitrification offers high success in freezing-thawing processes.

IVF Process:

When pregnancy is desired, the eggs of the patient who applies to our center are thawed and the in vitro fertilization process is started. The person who has egg freezing must give written approval to the relevant institution every year for the storage or destruction of their eggs.

Do Needles Hurt?

The needles you will use are much smaller than standard needles and will not hurt. When applied, you may feel a pain similar to a mosquito bite only at the first entry. Redness and swelling may occur after the injection. If this redness spreads throughout the body, you should definitely inform your doctor.

Do Egg Freezing Shots Make You Gain Weight?

No, the injections do not cause weight gain. You may feel 1-2 kilos more in your body because your body retains water due to the use of medication. This edema will pass after a while.

Can I Administer the Needles Myself?

Yes, you can easily apply the injections from the belly area. However, if you do not want to inject yourself, you can get help from a relative. One of the most frequently asked questions by working women is, "Will there be a problem if I apply the injection in the office - while working?" You do not have to lie down while injecting. You can get these injections while standing or sitting. You can apply your injection in a hygienic environment after washing your hands.

Are There Any Side Effects of Hormone Medications?

There are no known side effects of IVF needles medically. Of course, there may be side effects that vary from person to person. These may include restlessness, tenderness, bloating, breast tenderness, and groin pain. Groin pain is seen when the eggs grow and press on the groin. You may see this tenderness frequently. If you experience complaints such as inability to urinate, excessive bloating, or excessive pain, you should definitely consult your doctor.