Egg freezing

The number of egg freezing cycles required will depend on your individual fertility levels. Generally, younger women tend to have a higher ovarian reserve and a greater proportion of genetically healthy eggs. As a result, more viable eggs are typically collected per cycle, reducing the number of cycles needed.

For most women, the desired number of eggs can be achieved in 1–3 treatment cycles. During your consultation, your doctor will provide personalised advice on the expected number of eggs you might freeze, based on your unique circumstances.

You may wish to have multiple cycles in order to freeze your desired quantity of eggs. The exact timing of the subsequent cycle(s) will be discussed with your consultant based on the outcome of the first cycle.

If you are using hormonal contraception, such as the oral contraceptive pill, Mirena coil, or implant, these will need to be stopped or removed prior to starting treatment but not before your initial consultation and tests.

Non-hormonal contraception, such as the copper coil, can remain in place throughout your treatment.

If you have any concerns, these can be addressed during your initial consultation, where we’ll ensure all your questions are answered.

Your fertility will not be affected by the egg freezing process. In a natural cycle, your ovaries have multiple eggs developing, but typically only one reaches full maturity. The hormone treatment used during egg freezing allows the other developing eggs from that cycle to mature and be collected.

This process does not impact the number of eggs available for recruitment in your future natural cycles, meaning your overall fertility remains unaffected.

In the United Kingdom, the law permits a maximum storage period of 55 years for both frozen eggs and embryos.

You will be required to provide consent for the continued storage of your eggs every 10 years if you wish to keep them preserved. It is therefore essential to ensure that the clinic always has your most up-to-date contact details.

As with any medical intervention, there is a small risk of potential complications. The primary risk is ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS), which affects approximately 1 in 100 women undergoing fertility treatment. It is, however, uncommon in those undergoing egg freezing cycles alone.

Symptoms of OHSS can include abdominal pain, bloating, and occasionally nausea, vomiting, or diarrhoea. These symptoms typically resolve with the start of your next period.

Your safety is our top priority, and we closely monitor all treatments to minimise the risk of OHSS. This is achieved through regular ultrasound scans and blood tests. Treatment is carefully tailored to each individual, and adjustments may include modifying the dosing regimen of stimulation drugs, using an alternative trigger injection, or introducing additional medications after egg collection.

Some patients may experience mild discomfort when administering the medication. However, the needles used are extremely fine, and the hormones are injected into the fatty tissue around your abdomen. Side effects from the hormones can occur and are similar to symptoms experienced during a period, such as bloating and mild cramping.

The ultrasound scans are conducted using a vaginal probe, as this provides the clearest images. While this may cause slight discomfort, the procedure is quick and minimally invasive.

The egg retrieval procedure is typically performed under sedation, ensuring you do not feel any discomfort during the process. After waking, you may feel slightly sore and experience some abdominal cramping, but this usually resolves quickly.