Egg and Embryo Freezing
Egg freezing, also known as oocyte cryopreservation, is a procedure that involves harvesting a woman's eggs, freezing them, and storing them for future use.
How do you know if you are a good candidate for egg freezing?
Determining whether you are a good candidate for egg freezing involves a comprehensive evaluation by a fertility specialist or reproductive endocrinologist. Here are some key considerations:
Age: Egg quality and quantity decline as women age, so egg freezing is typically recommended for women who are in their 20s or early 30s. Younger eggs generally have a higher chance of successful thawing, fertilization, and pregnancy.
Individual fertility assessment: Your fertility specialist will evaluate your ovarian reserve, which refers to the number and quality of eggs remaining in your ovaries. This evaluation helps determine the likelihood of successfully retrieving a sufficient number of eggs for freezing.
Medical conditions or treatments: Certain medical conditions or treatments can affect fertility. If you have a medical condition that may impact your future fertility, such as cancer, endometriosis, or an autoimmune disease, or if you are undergoing medical treatments that may harm your eggs (such as chemotherapy or radiation therapy), egg freezing may be a viable option to preserve your fertility.
Career or personal circumstances: Egg freezing can be a consideration for women who wish to delay childbearing due to career goals, educational pursuits, or personal circumstances. If you anticipate that you may want to have children in the future but not in the immediate timeframe, egg freezing can provide an option to preserve your fertility potential.
Process overview
STEP 1 - Initial consultation: The first step is to schedule a consultation with a fertility specialist or reproductive endocrinologist. During this appointment, you'll discuss your medical history, undergo a physical examination, and have any necessary fertility tests conducted to evaluate your ovarian reserve and overall reproductive health.
This assessment typically involves blood tests to measure hormone levels, such as anti-mullerian hormone (AMH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), as well as an ultrasound to examine the ovaries.
Note: After your initial assessment, we recommend you connect with your Family Building Advisor to evaluate the financial and personal implications before proceeding with the procedures.
STEP 2 - Ovarian stimulation: Once you decide to proceed with egg freezing, you'll start the process of ovarian stimulation. This involves taking fertility medications, typically in the form of daily injections, to stimulate the ovaries and encourage the production of multiple mature eggs.
Throughout this period, you'll have regular monitoring appointments, including blood tests and ultrasound scans, to monitor the growth and development of the ovarian follicles.
This phase typically lasts around 8 to 14 days, depending on the individual's response to the medications.
STEP 3 - Egg retrieval: An egg retrieval procedure is scheduled when the follicles have reached the desired size and maturity.
This is a minimally invasive procedure performed under sedation or anesthesia. Using ultrasound imaging, a needle is inserted through the vaginal wall and guided into the ovaries. The fluid and eggs within the follicles are aspirated and collected.
This is usually around 10 to 14 days after starting ovarian stimulation. The egg retrieval itself is a relatively short procedure that usually takes about 15 to 30 minutes.
STEP 4 - Egg freezing: Once the eggs are retrieved, they are evaluated by an embryologist who assesses their quality and maturity. The eggs are then cooled and frozen using a process called vitrification. Vitrification is a rapid freezing technique that helps minimize ice crystal formation and cellular damage.
STEP 5 - Storage: After freezing, the eggs are stored in a specialized laboratory facility, typically in liquid nitrogen, at very low temperatures to maintain their viability. The duration of storage can vary based on individual circumstances and personal decisions.
STEP 6 - Thawing and fertilization: When you decide to use the frozen eggs, they are thawed in a controlled environment. Thawing methods vary depending on the clinic's protocols. The viable thawed eggs are then fertilized using intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) or another assisted reproductive technique. The resulting embryos can be transferred into the uterus during an IVF cycle.
Did you know: Before beginning an egg freezing process, you can prepare yourself with Pre-Freezing care?
Eggs take nearly 3 months to mature before they are ready for ovulation or vitrification (freezing). During this time, they are highly vulnerable to their environment. Factors such as age, toxins, nutrient deficiencies (and excesses), infections, stress and lifestyle choices can influence the quality of the eggs — and the DNA inside.
During a pre-freeze period, you can take some lifestyle steps to protect and nourish your eggs:
Maintaining a balanced diet, regular exercise routine, and adequate sleep.
Minimize alcohol consumption, quit smoking if you are a smoker, and avoid recreational drug use.
Discuss any medications or supplements you are taking with your healthcare provider to ensure they won't interfere with the egg retrieval process.
How much does it cost?
Egg freezing costs can vary depending on your clinic, medication protocols and storage terms.
| Service | Approximate Cost ($CAD) |
|---|---|
| Initial consult | No charge, typically covered by the fertility clinic. |
| Fertility testing | $100 for AMH
Diagnostic testing is covered by OHIP |
| Egg freezing cycle | $6,500 - $10,000 |
| Fertility medications | $3,000 - $5,000 |
| Annual storage | $400 - $800 |
Fertility treatments qualify as deductible medical expenses on your income tax return, including select fertility medications, egg/embryo freezing or embryology lab fees.
Speak with your Family Building Advisor to understand if egg-freezing expenses are covered by your benefits plan.
Should you freeze eggs or embryos?
The main difference between freezing eggs and freezing embryos lies in the stage of development at which the reproductive material is preserved.
Egg freezing: Freezing eggs preserves them in an unfertilized state. Frozen eggs are thawed and fertilized with sperm through a process called intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). The benefits of freezing eggs include the following:
Provides independent fertility preservation for people with eggs who may not have a partner or are not ready for pregnancy at the time of egg freezing.
Offers flexibility in choosing a future partner or considering alternative family-building options, such as using donor sperm or gestational carriers.
Preserves the potential for using younger and potentially higher-quality eggs.
Embryo freezing: Eggs retrieved from the ovaries are fertilized with sperm, typically through IVF, to create embryos. The benefits of freezing embryos include the following:
Offers a more advanced stage of the reproductive process, as the embryos have already been fertilized and developed. This reduces the risk of unsuccessful fertilization.
Embryos are less fragile than eggs. About 90% of frozen eggs survive; meanwhile, about 95% of embryos survive.
Provides more immediate options for pregnancy attempts as the embryos are already formed.
Suitable for individuals or couples in committed relationships or who have a specific partner/sperm donor for future pregnancy.
The decision to freeze eggs or embryos depends on your individual circumstances, reproductive goals, and personal preferences.
