Hey friends! Today, I wanted to share some interesting insights we gathered from a recent poster presentation about fertility preservation. As you may know, there’s been a growing interest in egg and embryo freezing, and it’s really taking off. In fact, the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) recently recognized oocyte cryopreservation as a standard practice, which is pretty exciting!
Research suggests that elective egg freezing can be a cost-effective way for women under 39 to secure a future live birth compared to waiting and possibly needing IVF later on. We’ve been freezing eggs since 2007 for various reasons—both medical and personal—and decided to look at the patterns from our clinic between 2009 and 2012.
During that period, nearly 100 women chose to freeze their eggs. Interestingly, about 87% did so for non-medical reasons, like focusing on their careers or personal relationships, while only 13% were freezing for medical purposes, such as before chemotherapy. Most of these women were single, and the average age was around 37.4 years, with ages ranging from 24 to 43.
We recommend that women preserve a certain number of eggs based on their age to improve their chances of having children in the future. Those under 35 typically managed to freeze the suggested amount in just one cycle, while women over 35 usually needed one or two cycles.
Additionally, about 10% of women also created embryos during the egg freezing process, and another 10% attempted pregnancy around the same time. Almost all of them continue to store their frozen eggs or embryos, indicating that many are planning ahead for when they’re ready to start a family.
It’s clear that women are taking proactive steps to secure their reproductive futures, whether it’s for personal or medical reasons. If you’re curious about the journeys of others, you can check out how excited moms-to-be are sharing their stories about at-home insemination here. Plus, if you want to learn more about artificial insemination options, Make a Mom has some great resources. And for those considering IVF, the NHS has a fantastic resource you should definitely check out!
In summary, the trends in fertility preservation show that many women are thinking ahead and looking to maintain their options for the future, whether for personal or medical reasons. It’s an exciting time in the world of reproductive health!