Egg Freezing (Oocyte Cryopreservation)

Egg freezing (social or elective, and medical fertility preservation) uses the same ovarian stimulation and retrieval process as IVF, but retrieved mature eggs are vitrified immediately without fertilization. They can be stored for many years and used later by thawing, fertilizing with sperm via ICSI, and transferring resulting embryos.

Medical indications include cancer treatment, premature ovarian insufficiency, or other conditions that may compromise future fertility. Social egg freezing allows women to preserve eggs during their peak reproductive years for personal or career reasons. Success rates depend primarily on the age at which eggs were frozen and the number of eggs stored. ASRM recommends informing patients that outcomes are better with eggs frozen before age 35.