Nesting the Eggs on Another Day: Social Egg Freezing

Area of Science:

• Reproductive Medicine
• Gynecology
• Genetics

Background:

• Oocyte cryopreservation is increasingly utilized for non-medical reasons, allowing women to delay childbearing.
• Advances in cryopreservation techniques have improved success rates and safety, moving it beyond experimental status.
• Personal, professional, and financial factors drive the trend of social egg freezing.

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide an updated review of oocyte cryopreservation for non-medical reasons.
• To analyze current data on success rates, safety, and live birth outcomes.
• To identify areas requiring further research, such as optimal age and number of oocytes.

Main Methods:

• Comprehensive literature review of studies on social egg freezing.
• Analysis of data on indications, success rates, and live birth rates.
• Evaluation of counselling, return rates, and safety profiles.

Main Results:

• Oocyte cryopreservation is no longer considered experimental due to improved success and safety.
• A 70% live birth rate is suggested for women under 38 freezing >20 mature oocytes.
• A low return rate for retrieved oocytes is observed.

Conclusions:

• Social egg freezing is a viable option for women delaying childbearing.
• Further large-scale meta-analyses are needed to confirm optimal parameters for cryopreservation.
• Accurate, unbiased counselling is crucial for prospective candidates.