Is Egg Freezing Right for You?

We are born with all the eggs we will ever have—approximately 1-2 million at birth. That sounds like a lot, however both egg quantity and quality decline as we age and more rapidly, beginning in our early 30’s.

But as more and more of us realize, we are not always ready to have children when our bodies are at their prime for conception.

Egg Freezing (oocyte cryopreservation) is a proactive and empowering fertility preservation procedure that involves stimulating the ovaries with hormones to produce multiple eggs that are retrieved from the ovaries and then frozen.  In the future, these eggs can be thawed and combined with sperm to create embryos that are implanted in the uterus for pregnancy.  With the advancement in cryopreservation techniques, egg freezing is becoming a more widely accessible option for those who wish to have more control over their reproductive timeline.

It is important to note that egg freezing is not a full-proof guarantee that you will be able to conceive later on, it is, however, a way to increase your chances.  There are many factors that impact egg freezing conception success rates, all of which we will go into in this blog.  Keep reading to learn everything you need to know about the egg freezing process at Pollin and to determine if it’s right for you and your family planning future.

Why Should You Consider Egg Freezing?

There are a multitude of reasons why someone may choose egg freezing when considering their future family building goals.  Here are the most popular reasons:

1. Age: Ageing is the number one factor impacting egg quality and quantity and subsequently, the chances of a healthy conception and pregnancy.  Egg freezing allows you to preserve your eggs when they are at their youngest and healthiest. 

2. Empowerment: More common now than in any generation before, women are focused on life goals such as completing their education, focusing on career advancement, establishing financial stability and finding the right partner prior to having children.  Egg freezing allows them to take charge of their fertility and make decisions about family planning when they are ready.

3. Medical reasons: The treatment of certain medical conditions, such as various autoimmune diseases, family history of early menopause, endometriosis or various cancers, can affect the quality and quantity of the eggs in the ovaries or even the ovaries themselves. These treatments can include certain immunosuppressant medications, pelvic surgeries, chemotherapy, and radiation. Egg freezing provides a way to preserve eggs before undergoing treatments or before conditions progress in severity.

4. Gender-Affirming Care: Transgender individuals with ovaries may wish to freeze their eggs prior to commencing gender-affirming treatment, as these treatments can affect the quality and production of eggs. Egg freezing allows for more options once a couple or individual is ready to start or grow their family.

5. Advancements in Technology: Improvements in egg freezing techniques have made the process more successful and accessible to women. This has contributed to the growing popularity of egg freezing as a fertility preservation option.

What is the Best Age to Freeze Your Eggs?

While there is no perfect age to freeze your eggs, the younger you are when you freeze, the better your chances of having a healthy birth in the future. Egg freezing should ideally occur before the age of 35, but egg freezing remains a good option for women or anyone with ovaries over the age of 35, especially if their egg number is high. Egg freezing is especially important to consider at any age if you have a medical reason that would impact your future ability to conceive. 

What are the Steps Involved in an Egg Freezing Cycle?

An egg freezing cycle typically takes 2-4 weeks to complete. The process involves several steps, including ovarian stimulation, egg retrieval, egg freezing and storage.  Here is a step-by-step breakdown of the timeline for a typical egg freezing cycle at Pollin:

Step One

Comprehensive Initial Consultation

The first step in a Pollin egg freezing cycle is a comprehensive initial consultation with one of our experienced fertility doctors where you are given the knowledge and guidance to determine if egg freezing is right for you based on your personal medical history and your future family planning goals. 

Step Two

Testing & Screening 

Fertility testing and screening by way of a series of blood tests and ultrasounds are done to test the quantity and quality of your eggs (your ovarian reserve).

• AMH (Anti-Mullerian Hormone) blood test: this gives us an idea of the number of eggs you have.

• ‍FSH (Follicle Stimulating Hormone), LH (Luteinizing Hormone) and Estradiol blood tests: These hormones tell us information about your fertility status.

• ‍AFC (Antral Follicle Count) ultrasound: This measures the number of growing eggs in your ovaries on day 2, 3 or 5 of your cycle. This test, combined with results of your blood tests help to predict how you will respond to the fertility medication used to stimulate your ovaries.

Step Three

Ovarian Stimulation

During this stage, you’ll begin injecting medication to stimulate your ovaries to produce multiple eggs. This lasts 9 to 14 days, during which your doctor will monitor your ovaries’ response to medication with bloodwork and ultrasounds.

Step Four

Egg Retrieval

Under sedation, your eggs will be removed at the clinic using ultrasound guidance.  The process itself is only 15-20 min.

Many patients experience cramping and pressure for 24-72 hours after the procedure, but symptoms vary from person to person.

Step Five

Egg Freezing & Storage

Your eggs will be frozen the same day they are retrieved. Your doctor will tell you the number of eggs they retrieved before you leave, and the embryologist will call you the next day to confirm how many viable eggs they were able to freeze.  Your eggs will be safely and securely stored in our cryopreservation facilities, ready for you when and if you need to use them. 

Step Six

Recovery

After the egg retrieval, you’ll have a follow-up appointment with your doctor to review your cycle and determine what your next steps will be.

Preparing and Optimizing Your Body Prior to Egg Freezing

To optimize outcomes for an egg freezing cycle, it is recommended to start preparing your body and lifestyle at least 3 months in advance. This time frame allows for significant changes to take effect and positively impact egg quality and overall fertility. Here are some steps you can take in the months leading up to an egg freezing cycle to optimize your chances of success:

1. Consider a Supplement Plan: Your fertility doctor or naturopath will discuss the benefits of a personalized supplement prior to undergoing an egg freezing cycle. There are supplements known to support egg health, such as folate, CoQ10, omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin D, and antioxidants. These supplements can help improve egg quality and overall reproductive health.
   
2. Maintain a Healthy Diet: Transition to a balanced and nutritious diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats. Avoid processed foods, excess sugar, and unhealthy fats that can negatively impact fertility.
   
3. Regular Exercise: Incorporate regular physical activity into your routine, such as aerobic exercises, strength training, and yoga. Exercise can help improve circulation, reduce stress, and support overall health.
   
4. Reduce Stress: Practice stress-reducing techniques such as meditation, mindfulness, yoga, or deep breathing exercises. High levels of stress can negatively impact fertility, so managing stress is crucial.
   
5. Avoid Harmful Substances: Eliminate or reduce exposure to harmful substances like tobacco, alcohol, and recreational drugs. These substances can impair fertility and may negatively affect egg quality.
   
6. Get Sufficient Sleep: Aim for 7-8 hours of quality sleep each night to allow your body to rest and recover. Sleep is essential for overall health and hormone regulation.
   
7. Consider Acupuncture: Some individuals find acupuncture to be beneficial in reducing stress, improving blood flow to the reproductive organs, and supporting fertility. Consider adding acupuncture sessions to your pre-egg freezing regimen.

Egg Freezing Success Rates by Age

The odds of a future pregnancy will depend on many factors, such as your age at the time of egg freezing, and the number of eggs retrieved.  *We’ve created this helpful chart to give you an idea of the success of egg freezing at different life stages.

How Many Eggs Should I Freeze Based on My Family Building Goals?

The number of eggs to freeze (and how many egg freezing cycles you will need to achieve this) depends on various factors, including age, fertility status, and family building goals (how many children you would like to have). On average, it is recommended to freeze between 15-20 eggs to have a good chance of a single successful pregnancy in the future.  One way to gain a better idea of what the egg freezing process and success rate may look like for you is to use this Egg Freezing Counseling Tool, developed by Boston’s Brigham & Woman’s Hospital research team.

Your Pollin fertility doctor will review your personalized egg freezing plan, as well as your predicted success rates prior to moving forward with your cycle.  

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Why Choose Pollin for Egg Freezing?

We built Pollin because we believe that patients deserve better care. Achieving optimal Egg Freezing cycle outcomes start with great fertility doctors who have access to the best technology, and state of the art facilities.  This is what Pollin is and it’s what we represent.

Our Egg Freezing program was thoughtfully designed to value and respect the current stage of life you’re in while giving you more options for the ones still to come.

We invite you to experience the Pollin difference: 

• OHIP Covered Consults with Leading Fertility Doctors

Every Egg Freezing journey begins with a comprehensive, OHIP covered consultation with one of our expert fertility doctors—all of whom are certified by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons in Obstetrics and Gynecology (OBGYN) and in Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility (REI). 

• Continuous Expert Care

Every aspect of your journey is expertly managed by your doctor and personal care team.  From initial consultation and testing to guiding you through your customized protocol, egg retrieval and recovery—your doctor is with you every step of the way.

• Warm, Welcoming, Spa-Like Environment

Pollin is a leading fertility clinic intentionally designed to NOT look or feel like a typical fertility clinic.  We have elevated the egg freezing experience to be one that reflects the empowering, positive and comfortable experience it should be, down to the smallest of details.

• Convenient, Comfortable and Efficient Process

From our digital booking process and streamlined cycle monitoring, to our custom mobile app, we ensure you spend less time in the clinic and more of it living your life.

• Cutting Edge Science & State-of-the-Art Lab

We blend groundbreaking science and technology with the highest level of care and precision so you can rest assured your frozen eggs are being handled and stored safely and securely for if, and when you are ready to use them.

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Egg Freezing Toronto
How Much Does an Egg Freezing Cycle Cost?

At Pollin, we believe in transparent, inclusive and accessible pricing.  An egg freezing cycle at Pollin is $8,550— not including the cost of medications.  For a full list of inclusions and exclusions click here.

In conclusion, egg freezing at Pollin offers individuals an opportunity to take control of their fertility and future reproductive timeline. With advanced technology, expert care, and personalized support, Pollin is dedicated to empowering individuals on their fertility journey. 

If you are considering egg freezing, book an OHIP covered consultation with one of our fertility doctors today to get started.