Fertility Preservation and Egg Freezing
Fertility Preservation and Egg Freezing in Phoenix, Arizona
Southwest Fertility Center in Phoenix, Arizona offers egg freezing and fertility preservation for women who want to protect their future fertility. Learn about oocyte cryopreservation, who it is for, and what to expect.
What is Fertility Preservation and Egg Freezing?
Fertility preservation refers to the process of saving eggs, sperm, or embryos for future use, allowing individuals to retain the option of biological parenthood at a later time. For women, the most common form of fertility preservation is egg freezing, also known as oocyte cryopreservation.
During egg freezing, eggs are retrieved from the ovaries through the same process used in IVF and are then frozen using a rapid-cooling technique called vitrification. Vitrified eggs can be stored for years and thawed when the patient is ready to pursue pregnancy. Egg freezing does not guarantee a future pregnancy, but it does preserve the option.
Who Should Consider Egg Freezing?
Women Who Are Not Ready to Have Children Yet
Many women choose to freeze their eggs in their 20s or early 30s to preserve the quality of their eggs at a younger age, giving themselves greater flexibility in family planning without the pressure of a biological clock.
Women Facing a Medical Diagnosis
Certain medical treatments, such as chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or surgical removal of the ovaries, can significantly impact or eliminate future fertility. Egg freezing before beginning such treatments is often recommended as a way to preserve the option of biological parenthood.
Women with Diminished Ovarian Reserve
Women who have been diagnosed with diminished ovarian reserve or are at risk of premature ovarian insufficiency may benefit from freezing eggs as early as possible to preserve the eggs that remain.
Women Who Are Not in a Position to Create Embryos
For women who do not have a partner and are not ready to use donor sperm, egg freezing offers the ability to preserve fertility without the need to make decisions about fertilization at this time.
What to Expect from Egg Freezing at Southwest Fertility Center
The egg freezing process at Southwest Fertility Center begins with a comprehensive fertility evaluation, including ovarian reserve testing and a review of your medical history. The stimulation and retrieval process follows the same steps as an IVF cycle:
- Injectable medications are administered over approximately 10 to 14 days to stimulate the ovaries to produce multiple follicles
- Regular monitoring through vaginal ultrasounds and bloodwork is performed to track follicle development
- Once follicles reach the appropriate size, a trigger injection is given and egg retrieval is scheduled approximately 36 hours later
- Eggs are retrieved under sedation in our office and immediately assessed for maturity
- Mature eggs are vitrified and stored in our facility until you are ready to use them
When you are ready to pursue pregnancy, eggs are thawed, fertilized with sperm through ICSI, and the resulting embryos are cultured and transferred to the uterus.
How Effective is Egg Freezing?
The success of egg freezing depends on the number and quality of eggs retrieved, as well as the patient's age at the time of freezing. Younger eggs generally survive the freezing and thawing process at higher rates and result in better outcomes. Our team will review your individual ovarian reserve and provide realistic expectations during your consultation.
How Much Does Egg Freezing Cost in Phoenix, Arizona?
The cost of egg freezing at Southwest Fertility Center includes the stimulation medications, monitoring appointments, egg retrieval procedure, and initial storage fees. Annual storage fees apply after the first year. Our financial counseling team is available to discuss all costs and explore financing options that work for your situation.
To learn more or to schedule a consultation with our fertility team in Phoenix, Arizona, contact Southwest Fertility Center today at (602) 956-7481 or request an appointment online.