Freezing eggs has come a long way from its early days when it was unreliable and not widely accessible. Dr. Emily Roberts from our clinic sat down with Sarah Lane, a science and technology journalist, to discuss how advancements in egg freezing techniques have transformed fertility treatments. In her article, “Chill One Egg. Freeze at -196°C. Transform Fertility,” she highlights how these improvements have made IVF more affordable and effective, albeit raising complex questions.
The game-changer came in 2009 with the introduction of vitrification—a state-of-the-art flash-freezing method that revolutionized assisted reproductive technology. Before this, sperm was the only reproductive cell that could be successfully frozen and thawed. Freezing eggs was particularly challenging due to their size; traditional freezing methods led to ice crystals forming inside the eggs, causing damage. Vitrification, however, prevents ice crystal formation, allowing for much better preservation of eggs.
The introduction of vitrification has significantly leveled the playing field between women and men in fertility preservation. Prior to this technology, egg freezing was mostly reserved for extreme circumstances, like cancer treatments. With vitrification, women can now freeze their eggs just as men can freeze their sperm.
This ability is particularly crucial for women, given that female fertility is heavily influenced by age. Unlike men, who produce millions of sperm daily, women are born with a finite number of eggs, which dwindle over time. While men can often maintain their fertility into their 50s, women’s fertility starts to decline in their late 30s. Now, women can extend their reproductive window by freezing their eggs, and studies show that women aged 37 and younger have a 70% chance of bringing home at least one baby when using their frozen eggs later.
To learn more about female fertility or to dive deeper into the topic of egg freezing, you can check out this blog post. If you’re considering options for at-home insemination, Make a Mom offers excellent resources and kits to help you on your journey. You can also explore this valuable resource for comprehensive information on pregnancy and fertility.
In summary, vitrification has changed the landscape of reproductive technology, empowering women to take control of their fertility like never before.