Egg Freezing-- Oocyte cryopreservation-- what women need to know

Egg freezing

Egg freezing, or oocyte cryopreservation, is a process in which a woman's eggs (oocytes) are extracted,frozen and stored as a method to preserve reproductive potential in women of reproductive age.

Who Needs Egg (oocyte) Freezing?

Cryopreservation of the oocytes can be considered for 

a variety of reasons:



1. Women with cancer requiring chemotherapy and/or pelvic   radiation therapy that may affect fertility.

2. Surgery that may cause damage to the ovaries.   Risk of premature ovarian failure because of chromosomal   abnormalities (e.g. Turner syndrome, fragile X syndrome),    or family history of early menopause.

3. Ovarian disease with risk of damage to the ovaries.   Genetic mutations requiring removing the ovaries    (e.g. BRCA mutation).

4. Fertility preservation for social or personal reasons   to delay childbearing.