The technological advances in the past few decades have been astounding. We can now freeze eggs and sperm, which has led to a rise in the number of people using this technology for family planning. But is egg and sperm freezing a good option?
Here Fertility Plus London look at the pros and cons of this method.
Pros:
It Can Give You More Time to Have Children
If you are not ready to have children right now, freezing your eggs or sperm can give you more time. This can be especially beneficial if you are waiting for the right partner or want to focus on your career first.
It Can Increase Your Chances of Having a Baby Later in Life
As we age, our fertility declines. By freezing your eggs or egg and sperm when you are younger, you can increase your chances of having a baby later in life when your fertility is lower.
It Can be Used as Insurance Against Infertility
For couples who are struggling with infertility, freezing eggs or egg and sperm can provide them with a backup plan. If they are unable to conceive using their eggs or sperm, they can use frozen ones instead.
Cons:
It is Expensive
The cost of freezing eggs and egg and sperm can be quite high, especially if you need to do it multiple times. This can make it difficult for some couples to afford.
There are no Guarantees
There is no guarantee that you will be able to have a baby using your frozen eggs or sperm. The success rates vary depending on several factors, such as the age of the person when they were frozen and how well they were stored.
It is not Always Successful
Even if you can have a baby using your frozen eggs or egg and sperm, there is no guarantee that the pregnancy will be successful. Miscarriages are still possible, as are other complications.
As you can see, there are both pros and cons to freezing eggs and sperm. You will need to weigh these factors carefully before deciding if this is the right option for you.
How Long Can Egg and Sperm Be Frozen?
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Fertility clinics have been freezing eggs and egg and sperm for many years, and the success rates continue to improve as technology advances. The average success rate for thawing and fertilising an egg is about 60%, but this number will vary depending on patient age and the clinic. For example, younger patients may have a higher success rate than older patients. Some clinics may also have better success rates than others.
Who is a Good Candidate for Freezing Eggs and Sperm?
There are many reasons why someone might want to consider freezing their eggs or sperm. For example, if you have a family history of infertility or genetic disorders, you may want to consider freezing your eggs or sperm to have biological children later in life. Or, if you are about to undergo cancer treatment (which can sometimes cause fertility problems), freezing your eggs or egg and sperm beforehand may give you the option of having genetic children in the future.
Generally speaking, anyone who wants to preserve their fertility for any reason may be a good candidate for egg or egg and sperm freezing. However, it’s important to remember that this is a personal decision, and you should discuss your options with a doctor before making a decision.
If you decide to freeze your eggs or egg and sperm, talk to a fertility specialist about the best way to store them. This will help increase your chances of success if you decide to use them in the future.