Egg Freezing
Egg freezing
At our Los Angeles based fertility center, the Center for Fertility and Gynecology, we are proud to offer a full spectrum of fertility services. From reproductive micro-surgery like tubal reanastamosis to intrauterine insemination (IUI) or in-vitro fertilization (IVF) we have the expertise and experience to make your fertility journey a successful one!
History of egg freezing
One of the more exciting new services our center offers is egg freezing. Egg freezing, also known as oocyte cryopreservation, was first introduced in the early 1980’s with the first live birth from a frozen egg in 1986. For the following 20 years however, technical difficulties and low success rates limited its application. In the mid 2000’s a new method of freezing called vitrification was introduced. This method, which derives its name from the Latin for “glass like”, freezes the egg at a much faster rate preventing the formation of ice crystals. By avoiding ice crystal formation, eggs survive the thawing process better and thus have an improved chance of becoming fertilized and going on to become a baby.
Vitrification
Since the advent of vitrification in the mid 2000’s, egg freezing has become more popular, better studied and found to be very safe. In fact, a recent study found that in the more than 900 babies who have been born from frozen eggs, there is no increase in birth defects as compared to standard IVF.
Safety
As the data continue to support the safety and efficacy of egg freezing, it is emerging as a legitimate and realistic method for fertility preservation. This tool can be useful for women who are faced with a medical circumstance, like cancer, that threatens their fertility or for women who desire to take control of their reproductive future. Considering that a woman’s supply of eggs diminishes every day from birth until menopause, freezing eggs represents a respite from the natural decline in fertility.
Contact us
To learn more about oocyte cryopreservation, or to discuss fertility preservation options in general, please contact us, we would be happy to speak with you.