In the world of assisted reproductive technology (ART), egg freezing is a relatively new offering. The American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) just recently lifted the "experimental" label from the procedure. The ASRM practice committee found sufficient evidence to “demonstrate acceptable success rates in young highly selected populations.”
However, because egg freezing is a newer component of ART, there are no national statistics on in vitro fertilization (IVF) from frozen eggs. You can only find statistics on IVF success rates for fresh embryo transfers and frozen embryo transfers because these numbers are kept by both the Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
But this does not mean egg freezing is not successful.
According to fertility experts, prior to 2004, there were very few reported births from frozen eggs. Since then, however, there have been more than 1,500 births around the world. In addition, the incidence of birth defects in frozen egg babies does not appear to be increased when compared to natural conceptions. And according to studies, at some fertility clinics the birth rate for IVF procedures with frozen eggs that were retrieved from women under 36 is now close to 50 percent, which is comparable to the IVF birth rate with fresh eggs from women of that age.
This type of success has also given rise to frozen donor egg banks where women in need of egg donation can select frozen donor eggs rather than selecting a donor and then coordinating cycles for egg retrieval and embryo transfer.
Egg freezing is now well established and has high success rates. However, there is not much research or reported success rates for women in their late 30s who are freezing their eggs — which is often the age most women start thinking about the process. ASRM does urge caution and points out that the age of the woman at the time of egg freezing is a very important factor.
It is important to remember that egg quality is highest during your reproductive prime, which is age 16 to 28. During the mid-reproductive years — ages 29 to 38 — egg quality of many eggs is still good. But when you get to the late reproductive period — ages 39 to 44 — there are eggs that are still usable, but there is a diminished chance of pregnancy from these eggs.
To increase your chances of success with frozen eggs, become educated about the process and freeze them as early as possible.
Add new comment