Women who don’t wish to rush pregnancy try to find the benefits of egg freezing. IVIRMA Global Founder Professor Jose Remohí helps us understand this method helps preserve fertility.
In this article you’ll read:
- The benefits of egg freezing and other fertility preservation treatments
- Why a women’s age matters in egg freezing
- The COVID-19 pandemic’s impact on infertility
Benefits of Egg Freezing and Fertility Preservation Treatments
(from L-R) Dr Ethiraj Balaji Prasath, Chief Embryologist of Thomson Fertility Centre, Professor Jose Remohí, Dr Loh Seong Feei, Medical Director of Thomson Fertility Centre, Ms Chan Wei Ling, CEO Specialist Centres
One of the main benefits of egg freezing is the chance to get pregnant in the future. Despite its potential risks, most women consider this method to enjoy their youth and save money for a family later.
IVIRMA Founder Professor Jose Remohí informs us that women initially sought fertility preservation (PF) treatments for health reasons.
“The first fertility preservation (FP) treatments that we did at the beginning were due to oncological reasons. Patients who were going to start medical treatments that could damage the ovarian reserve (breast cancer, Hodgkin’s, etc.), underwent ovarian stimulation to vitrify their oocytes,” states Prof Remohí.
As time passed, these preservation methods became available to women who don’t want to rush pregnancies.
“The vast majority of patients who decide on today, do so for social reasons to delay motherhood. Ovarian stimulation is easy, safe and takes 10-12 days. It is compatible with your normal life,” he adds.
With that said, FP treatments became the solution for women or couples who want to take their time. It also gives them the option to save not just for the method’s cost but also for their family’s future.
Importance of a Women’s Age in Fertility Preservation
Image Source: iStock
The idea of egg freezing sounds excellent to most women who want to enjoy their life before starting a family. However, they must take note of their age if they ever plan to preserve their fertility.
When talking about the ideal age for FP treatments, Prof Remohí says, “Today. Now. The key point is that the best time for fertility preservation is as early as possible, that is, around 25-30 years old.”
This period especially applies to women planning to undergo in vitro fertilization. Their most fertile age range lies in their late teens to their late twenties.
“Most women come later, because motherhood, in most cases, is at the bottom of their list of priorities. But better late than never. The process is very easy and safe. Ovarian stimulation takes about 10-12 days,” stated Prof Remohí.
Married couples who don’t want kids anytime soon must also consider the wife’s age. Egg freezing and other FP treatments can heighten their chances of conceiving in the future.
In this case, Prof Remohí responds, “The age of the woman is the biggest problem for fertility. If women are not going to get pregnant, I would advise them to at least take into account their age and ovarian reserves should they wish to get pregnant in later years.”
Effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Infertility
Numerous couples struggle with their plans to start a family during the COVID-19 pandemic. Most delayed their plans of conceiving to spare their soon-to-be children from the feared virus. Unfortunately, this affects their overall chances of getting pregnant altogether.
“The problems we have faced are basically: fear of not knowing if the pregnancy was safe, delay in seeking to get pregnant for social and economic reasons. In light of this, women have delayed their decision to conceive, so they are even older now,” says Prof Remohí.
With that said, couples can consider egg freezing and other FP treatments for a more comfortable future. However, some may be sceptical of these methods because of the health risks that come with them.
If couples still have doubts, Prof Remohí hopes to reassure them by saying, “Getting pregnant is safe and fertility treatments are safe. The age of the woman is the biggest problem for fertility, so delaying addressing fertility issues due to COVID[-19] increases the difficulty to conceive.”
Beware of Gestational Diabetes
Those who suffer from Gestational diabetes (GD) often consider the benefits of egg freezing for a safer pregnancy. However, this solution may not be as simple as most think.
Prof Remohí warns mothers, stating, “It is very important to detect women with risk factors for GD. In the at-risk female population, pre-pregnancy counselling could help them change their lifestyle and thus reduce their risk of developing GD during their pregnancies later.”
Overall, egg freezing and FP treatments give women more options to secure their futures. They no longer need to worry about their fertility. They can now plan a more secure future and focus on their careers or marriages before starting a family.
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