If you’ve been contemplating egg freezing, you might have heard various myths floating around. Let’s break down some of these misconceptions with help from Dr. Emily Turner, a Reproductive Endocrinologist, who sheds light on the facts.
Myth: Egg freezing is still experimental.
Truth: Not at all! While freezing sperm and embryos has been a standard practice for years, the American Society for Reproductive Medicine confirmed back in 2013 that egg freezing should no longer be labeled as experimental. Many success stories, including over 100 babies born from frozen eggs at our clinic, prove its effectiveness.
Myth: If I’m healthy, getting pregnant will be a breeze.
Truth: Unfortunately, that’s not the reality. As women age, the quality and quantity of eggs decline steadily. By age 30, about two-thirds of a woman’s egg supply is already gone, and by 40, nearly all of it is lost.
Myth: I can always rely on IVF, so I don’t need to freeze my eggs.
Truth: The chances of achieving pregnancy through IVF significantly decrease after 40. IVF doesn’t fix the underlying issues with egg quality, which can lead to the need for donor eggs if you don’t have your own frozen.
Myth: Freezing eggs now means I’ll have fewer eggs later.
Truth: That’s a common misconception. Each month, a woman’s body prepares a group of eggs, but usually only one will be released. During the egg-freezing process, these additional eggs are harvested, so you’re not losing any future potential.
Myth: Frozen eggs quickly become unusable.
Truth: When stored correctly in liquid nitrogen, eggs can remain viable indefinitely, giving you peace of mind.
Myth: The egg freezing process is painful.
Truth: While you will need to take fertility medications for about 10 to 12 days, most women find the injections to be manageable. The egg retrieval itself is done under sedation, so you won’t experience pain during that process.
Myth: I’ll need to take a lot of time off work for egg freezing.
Truth: The process generally requires only a few short visits to the clinic for monitoring. The only day you may need off is for the egg retrieval, and we offer early morning appointments for convenience.
With these facts, hopefully, you feel more informed about egg freezing. If you’re looking to learn more about related topics, check out our post on placental abruption during pregnancy for additional insights. Also, for those considering an at-home option, take a look at this at-home insemination kit that might be helpful. And if you’re curious about the IVF process, this Wikipedia page offers a wealth of information.
In summary, egg freezing is a well-established procedure that provides women with options for family planning. Don’t let myths deter you from exploring this opportunity for preserving your fertility!