Egg Freezing

Egg Freezing

Freezing your eggs gives you the flexibility of time. Although there can be many reasons why someone may chose to have an egg freeze, normally the goal is to allow you more time for your fertility journey.

Why freeze my eggs?

Social: If you wish to preserve your fertility for reasons relating to employment, not yet in a relationship to start a family, or not sure about if and when to start a family.

Family history: if your mother or close relative has suffered premature menopause

Ovarian problems: you have recurrent ovarian cysts, endometriomas (severe endometriosis) or are due to undergo surgery that will result in the loss of the ovary or eggs.

Cancer/other medical conditions: you are having medication for cancer or rheumatic conditions such as chemotherapy that can damage the ovaries

Egg numbers and quality declines with age.
The best time to freeze your eggs is before you are 35 years old.

How long does it take?

From your consultant appointment to egg collection, treatment could take approximately 7 weeks.

If you undergo a long protocol cycle you will make about six visits to the clinic.

If you have a short protocol cycle, this will take an approximate of five weeks, and should have five visits to our clinic.

(Please note, every person we treat will have different requirements and might take longer than stated above.)

Short and Long Protocol

There are two types of ovarian stimulation cycle; long or short protocol. Many patients will do long protocol. The short protocol or antagonist cycles are often suggested for patients who have a Polycystic ovarian syndrome, as this is used to reduce the risk of OHSS (ovarian hyperstimulation), a side effect of ovarian stimulation. The protocol you will be on will be determined by one of our fertility specialists at your consultation.

Medication for both protocols will usually start on cycle day 19.

Egg Freezing Options

At BCRM we offer single cycles and a 3 cycle package. Your clinician may advise you to pursue a multicycle package depending on your ovarian reserve.

Egg Freezing

1. Suppressing the Natural Cycle

As a first step, you will be given medication to suppress your natural monthly hormone cycle. This will be a tablet and, depending on your treatment protocol, an injection which you can administer yourself daily. This medication treatment continues for about two weeks.

2. Boosting Egg Supply

After your natural cycle has been suppressed, you will be given a type of fertility hormone known as a gonadotrophin. You will usually take this as a daily injection for around 12 days. The hormone will increase the number of eggs you produce.

3. Ultrasound Scanning

At BCRM we will monitor your progress throughout the drug treatment through vaginal ultrasound scans and, possibly, blood tests. Between 34 and 38 hours before your eggs are due to be collected you will be given a hormone injection to help your eggs mature. This is likely to be human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG).

4. Collecting the Eggs (Transvaginal Oocyte Recovery)

A hollow needle is attached to the ultrasound probe and is used to collect the eggs from the follicles on each ovary. Afterwards, you may experience some cramps, feel a little sore and bruised and/or experience a small amount of bleeding from the vagina.

5. Freezing the Eggs

Your collected eggs will then be prepared, vitrified and and safely stored in our lab - ready for you to use in the future.

Egg Freezing
from £3995