The process of cryopreservation involves freezing eggs, sperm, or embryos at sub-zero temperatures for later use. A fertilized egg, sperm, or an embryo is thawed and used in a fertility treatment cycle when needed. Sperm is used for intrauterine insemination (IUI) and in vitro fertilization (IVF). When it comes to procedures associated with IVF, eggs, and embryos are used. Cells that have been frozen can be preserved for a long time through cryopreservation. While the cells are frozen, all biological activity ceases until they are thawed.
Embryo freezing can help people get pregnant later in life if they are facing current barriers, such as: Advancing age. Gender transition. Infertility issues. Social/personal reasons like if you’re pursuing higher-level education or have professional demands and plan to delay pregnancy for several years. Treatment that may damage fertility (for example, chemotherapy or pelvic radiation therapy for cancer). Upcoming military deployment. Freezing embryos is a personal decision. Treatment costs vary widely, and medical insurance doesn’t always cover fertility treatments. Consider your goals, the costs, ethical issues, your partner’s preferences, and other factors.
Vitrification and slow freezing are the two methods of freezing embryos. In vitrification, fertility professionals:
Although slow freezing has fallen out of favor, some fertility specialists still use it. During slow freezing, fertility specialists:
In either process, the embryos are as follows:
The embryo has not aged if you freeze it at 35 and then use it at 50.
Fertility specialists will perform the following steps if frozen embryos are needed later on:
When an embryo is thawed and implanted into a woman’s uterus, it is known as a frozen embryo transfer. The process is often successful. However, success rates vary widely depending on a variety of factors.
Our goal is to help you identify factors that may impact your chances of success.
