Egg freezing, or human oocyte cryopreservation, is a medical procedure where a woman’s eggs are harvested, frozen and stored for later use by the woman. When she is ready to become pregnant, they can be thawed, fertilised and placed in the womb as embryos. These are some basic facts about the procedure.
Here are clarifications of some fears women may have regarding the fertility preservation procedure.
How much will it cost me?
In UAE, egg freezing costs around Dh20,000, including consultation, scan and blood tests (Dh1,000), harvesting (Dh15,000), hormone medication (Dh3,000 to Dh4,000) and Dh1,000 storage per year.
Will it be painful?
The whole procedure is done under sedation and you can drive yourself back after it is done. You can even go to work the next day.
When can I do it?
The best age is 32-33 because after that, egg quality starts diminishing. Older women will not yield such good quality eggs. Not that they can’t get pregnant. A girl is born with a pool of eggs. By the time she’s 37-38, this ovarian reserve has shrunk considerably. The best eggs leave the ovaries when they are young. There’s a higher probability that an older egg will have chromosomal abnormality. If you’re in your late 30s, eggs can still be frozen but the yield may not be big and they are of lower quality.
How long can my eggs be saved?
They can be stored indefinitely. If five or seven years later you decide to use them, you have a good chance of falling pregnant, even though you may be in your 40s.
What tests will I need to do?
A general ultrasound scan, to ensure the pelvis is normal, and routine blood tests.
Can the procedure harm me?
All medical procedures carry a risk, but most practitioners categorise egg harvesting as low-risk.
What should I know before the procedure?
PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome) is prevalent in the UAE and so infertility rates are higher in the region. Do your homework but take the advice of a specialist only.
— Compiled by Manjari Saxena
