Egg Freezing

Social Freezing: What is it and how can it help with family planning?

Social freezing is a method by which a woman's eggs can be frozen and later thawed and fertilized as needed. This process is also known as egg vitrification. The goal of social freezing is to give women an option to save their eggs to plan a pregnancy later when they are ready to start a family.

Why do women choose social freezing?

There are several reasons why women choose social freezing. One of the main reasons is that women nowadays are often focused on their careers for longer and want to start a family later in life. With social freezing, they can have their eggs frozen to ensure that they still have a chance of getting pregnant later on.

Social freezing can also help women who have to undergo treatment for medical reasons that could affect their fertility. For example, chemotherapy in cancer patients can affect egg production, reducing the chances of pregnancy later in life. In this case, social freezing may be a way to preserve eggs and allow pregnancy later.

How does social freezing work?

Social freezing involves a similar process to in vitro fertilization (IVF). The woman is first given medication to stimulate her egg production. Once the eggs are mature, they are retrieved through a gynecological procedure and frozen in a laboratory.

The frozen eggs can then be thawed and fertilized with sperm as needed. If fertilization is successful, the fertilized egg can be returned to the woman's uterus to develop.

Risks of Social Freezing

As with any medical treatment, there are risks associated with social freezing. The possible risks include:

• reactions to hormone therapy, including pain, nausea, and headache
• Complications during the collection procedure, including bleeding and infection
• Risks associated with egg freezing and storage, including possible reduction in egg quality and survival rate

It is important to seek advice from an experienced reproductive health professional before undergoing social freezing treatment and to be aware of all possible risks and complications.

Conclusion

Social freezing can offer women an option to store their eggs and plan a pregnancy later. However, it is important to be aware that this method comes with risks and does not guarantee that a pregnancy will be successful. It is always advisable to seek advice from an experienced physician to understand all options and make an informed decision. Social freezing can be a viable option for women who want to start a family later in life, but it is important to understand all the risks and potential challenges in order to make an informed decision.