Egg Freezing Worldwide

Invitro fertilization In vitro fertilization (IVF) or Test tube babyprocedure is the joining of a woman’s egg and a man’s spermoutside the body: in vitro, in a laboratory dish. IVF is a majortreatment for infertility when other methods of assisted reproductivetechnology have failed.

Oocyte cryopreservation or vitrification (egg freezing) is a rapidly advancing, breakthrough technology in which a woman’s eggs (oocytes) are extracted, frozen and stored (oocyte bank). Later, when she is ready to become pregnant, the eggs can be thawed, fertilized, and transferred to the uterus as embryos. Oocyte cryopreservation is aimed at three particular groups of women: those diagnosed with cancer who have not yet begun chemotherapy or radiotherapy; those undergoing treatment with assisted reproductive technologies who do not consider embryo freezing an option; and those who would like to preserve their future ability to have children, either because they do not yet have a partner, or for other personal or medical reasons. Oocyte cryopreservation is an important option for individuals undergoing IVF who object, either for religious or ethical reasons, to the practice of freezing embryos. Having the option to fertilize only as many eggs as will be utilized in the IVF process and then freeze any remaining unfertilized eggs can be a positive solution. In this way, there are no excess embryos created, and there is no need of unused frozen embryos disposition, a practice which can create complex choices for certain individuals. Egg freezing can also be beneficial for women who, for the purpose of education, career or other reasons, desire to postpone childbearing. Freezing eggs at an early age may ensure a chance for a future pregnancy. Additionally, women with a family history of early menopause have an interest in fertility preservation. With egg freezing, they will have a frozen store of eggs, in the likelihood that their eggs are depleted at an early age.

Egg donation or ovum donation is a possible solution for women: who cannot produce eggs due to menopause or have been diagnosed with premature ovarian failure (POF) - also referred to as premature menopause or early menopause above age 37 who have been repeatedly unsuccessful with IVF, particularly if it is known that the infertility is not male factor who carry a genetic disorder they do not wish to pass on to their child who have had multiple unexplained miscarriages