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In a recent interview with the influencer Mary Gonzalez She shared the reasons why she decided to freeze her eggs, a procedure she took in June this year. The former BBB stated that the motivation behind the choice is the freedom of being able to decide the right time to get pregnant, without the pressure of a “deadline” imposed by biology.
“I decided to freeze for freedom. To have my moment, my choice, to know what time is right for me. I think that reduces a lot of pressure. Women have that pressure, we really have a set date. So I wanted freedom, to be able to make my own choice, and I think it was the best decision. It was important.”
Egg freezing is especially important in the scenario where female fertility suffers a gradual decline over the years. according to Rodrigo Rosaspecialist in human reproduction and clinical director of Clínica Mater Prime, says fertility decline begins to become more pronounced after the age of 30, and even more so after the age of 35.
“This decline in fertility occurs more clearly after the age of 35,” the doctor explains. “This happens because a woman is born with the entire reserve of eggs that will be used throughout her reproductive life. Over time, there is a decrease in the quantity and quality of eggs, with more genetic errors, which makes pregnancy difficult and increases the risk of miscarriage.”
What is egg freezing and how does it work?
Cryopreservation, a technique used to freeze eggs, is a process that involves freezing reproductive cells at -196°C. Through this technique, eggs maintain their growth potential and vitality, but with the metabolism completely disabled. This preservation can take place in eggs, sperm, embryos, or even ovarian tissue.
“Although sperm and embryos are relatively easy to freeze, the egg is the largest cell in the human body and contains a large amount of water. When frozen, ice crystals form that can damage the cell. Over the years, we have learned to dehydrate the eggs and replace the water with antifreeze before freezing, to prevent crystal formation,” explains Dr. Rodrigo.
Who should consider egg freezing?
There are several reasons why a woman may decide to freeze her eggs. In addition to wanting to preserve fertility for personal or professional reasons, this technique may be prescribed for those facing medical conditions that affect fertility, such as cancer or endometriosis. It is also an option for women with a family history of early menopause.
The expert says: “Freezing eggs provides an opportunity to preserve reproductive cells before they run out.”
What is the appropriate age for freezing?
Age is a critical factor when it comes to egg freezing. The younger the woman, the greater the chance of success.
“The ideal is to freeze eggs until the age of 35, when success rates are higher,” explains Dr. Rodrigo. “However, it is possible to freeze eggs until the age of 41 or 42, although the probability of success is much lower after the age of 43.” For women over 38, the chances of getting pregnant from frozen eggs decrease even further, with some chances dropping to 10% or less.
How is the egg freezing process done?
The freezing process involves stimulating the ovaries so that the eggs mature. This cycle lasts about three weeks and is similar to in vitro fertilization (IVF), but without the immediate embryo transfer. Patients begin with a course of hormone therapy to temporarily disrupt natural hormones, then receive injections to stimulate their ovaries. After 9 to 10 days, the mature eggs are removed and frozen immediately.
“The procedure is done with intravenous anesthesia, and it is painless,” says Dr. Rodrigo. “The eggs are then thawed when the woman decides to try to get pregnant, and they are fertilized and transferred to the uterus as embryos.”
How long can eggs be stored?
According to scientific studies, there is no evidence that egg quality decreases with storage time. In cases of frozen embryos, a study showed that the oldest embryos were stored for 27 years and resulted in a successful pregnancy. “Long-term storage of frozen eggs does not lead to a decrease in quality,” he says.
What are the success rates of egg freezing?
The success of egg freezing depends mainly on the woman’s age at the time of freezing. Women up to age 38 can expect a success rate of up to 75% in thawing their eggs, with about 75% of these eggs surviving the thawing process and 50% to 60% becoming embryos. For women over 38, success rates drop significantly.
Is egg freezing safe?
Egg freezing, according to studies conducted to date, does not pose an increased risk of birth defects. More than 300,000 babies have been born from frozen embryos worldwide, without a significant increase in complications. “There was no increased birth rate or chromosomal defects among embryos extracted from frozen eggs compared to fresh eggs,” explains Dr. Rodrigo.
Changes in cryopreservation techniques
In recent years, freezing techniques have developed, allowing healthier embryos to be selected through genetic testing. This development has increased the chances of a successful pregnancy and reduced the risk of having multiple children, as fewer embryos are transferred to the uterus.
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