Egg freezing is a method for preserving a woman’s fertility so she can conceive at a later date. This article by Saed News explains how egg freezing is performed, its success rate, the best age for freezing eggs, its cost, and the best centers for egg freezing. It also addresses whether single and virgin women can freeze their eggs.
Egg freezing, also known in medical terms as "cryopreservation," is a process where eggs are frozen without fertilization. It is a method for preserving a woman’s fertility, allowing her to attempt pregnancy in the future. The process involves collecting a woman’s eggs, freezing them, and later thawing them for fertility treatments.
A woman's natural ability to conceive decreases with age as both the quality and quantity of her eggs decline. Freezing eggs can be a way to preserve fertility when the woman is younger and her eggs are at their highest quality. While it does not guarantee pregnancy, it can increase the chances of a successful pregnancy later in life.
During the egg freezing process, medications are used to stimulate egg growth. The eggs are then retrieved from the ovaries and frozen for storage. At a later date, the eggs can be thawed and combined with sperm to create an embryo, which can then be implanted into the uterus during an embryo transfer cycle.
While the timeline may vary slightly, the entire egg freezing process typically takes 2 to 3 weeks. Most cycles can be completed in less than 2 weeks. Ovarian stimulation is coordinated with the woman’s menstrual cycle to ensure the best results. Throughout this process, the ovaries are closely monitored using ultrasound and blood tests to check hormone levels.
The best time to freeze eggs is in a woman’s 20s to early 30s when egg quality and quantity are at their peak. For most women, fertility is at its highest in their early 30s. While eggs can still be retrieved and frozen after this age, fertility specialists generally agree that egg freezing is less effective for women over 40.
Yes, it is possible for single and virgin women to freeze their eggs, but it should only be done under special circumstances. Some reasons why a single or virgin woman might freeze her eggs include:
A woman is not yet married and may lose the chance to become a mother due to aging, so she chooses to freeze her eggs for future use.
A woman undergoing medical treatments such as chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or ovarian surgery, which may impact her future fertility, freezes her eggs before treatment.
A woman has fertility-related health conditions like sickle cell anemia, an autoimmune disease, or plans to undergo gender transition, and freezing her eggs is recommended.
Egg freezing is performed in Iran by specialized clinics and fertility doctors. The process includes the following steps:
Medical Testing – The first step involves testing for infectious diseases like HIV and hepatitis. This does not affect eligibility for egg freezing but ensures that affected egg samples are stored separately to prevent contamination.
IVF Process – The process takes about two to three weeks and involves taking medications to stimulate egg production and maturation. Once the eggs are ready, they are retrieved under general anesthesia or sedation.
Freezing Process – Unlike traditional IVF, the retrieved eggs are not fertilized immediately. Instead, they are preserved using cryoprotectants (freezing solutions) and frozen using either slow freezing or rapid freezing (vitrification). Studies show that rapid freezing is more successful than slow cooling.
Egg Storage – Eggs are stored in liquid nitrogen tanks until the woman is ready to use them. When needed, the eggs are thawed and fertilized with sperm.
When choosing an egg freezing center in Iran, thorough research is necessary. Many infertility treatment centers and embryo donation services exist, but only a few have a proven track record of success. To find the best center, consider whether the clinic uses modern technology.
With social media, you can easily search for clinics, review their activities, contact them for consultations, and ask questions before making a decision.
Currently, public healthcare centers do not have government funding for egg freezing, meaning the procedure is only available in private clinics. The cost varies depending on the clinic’s location and facilities.
On average, the cost of egg retrieval and freezing in a private clinic is between 13 to 15 million tomans. Additionally, there is an annual storage fee of approximately 400,000 tomans to maintain the frozen eggs. However, prices may vary between different private clinics.
Egg freezing is an effective way for women to extend their reproductive options for the future. If you decide to freeze your eggs, make sure to choose a clinic with extensive experience and check patient reviews to ensure high success rates.
