Egg freezing has seen a sharp rise in demand in recent years. Yet, it remains a rarely discussed topic, with limited information available. Women who have decided to go through with egg freezing rarely share their experience, while those not planning to have children in the near future often don’t ask about it. As a result, many women are postponing motherhood without a clear understanding of what their future chances of having children might be – even though it is relatively easy to find out. A simple blood test can determine your levels of a hormone called anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH), while a transvaginal ultrasound can reveal how many follicles you have in each ovary. This is known as your antral follicle count (AFC). If you are curious to know more, Dr Isabeth González, a fertility specialist at Dexeus Mujer, shares some key information below that you might find interesting:
Is there a legal age limit for egg freezing? In Spain, there is no legal age limit in place, but the procedure is not usually recommended after the age of 40. Ideally, it should be done before the age of 35 to maximise the chances of a future pregnancy and the birth of a healthy baby, since oocyte quality declines with age.
What is the minimum number of eggs recommended for freezing? It depends on your age at the time of treatment. Younger women tend to need fewer eggs, as quality – which correlates with ovarian age – is more important than quantity. On average, it is advisable to have between 10 and 15 mature eggs vitrified.
How can I know if it is worth it in my case? This should be assessed by a gynaecologist, but ultimately, the decision is yours, based on your individual circumstances. There are, however, two clear warning signs to consider: having a low ovarian reserve or not planning to try for a baby before the age of 38-40. In such cases, fertility preservation may be a good option.
What counts as a low ovarian reserve?
We speak of low ovarian reserve when AMH levels are below 1.5 ng/ml and the antral follicle count is below 10. These figures are approximate but provide a useful benchmark.
Is a single vitrification cycle enough or might I need to repeat the procedure? It depends on how many oocytes are successfully vitrified in your first cycle. Each case needs to be assessed individually.
What are my chances of getting pregnant using my vitrified eggs? The success rate per embryo transfer using previously frozen oocytes ranges from 30% to 50% per cycle. However, this may vary depending on egg quality, your age at the time of egg vitrification, and the specific details of your case.
How much does it cost to store frozen eggs? The egg freezing treatment at our clinic costs around €3,000. If a second cycle is needed, discounts may apply. Annual storage fees are around €300, although some clinics include storage costs in the treatment fee. At Dexeus Mujer, storage is free for the first five years.
Do frozen eggs have an expiry date? No – once frozen, eggs do not deteriorate over time.
What happens to my eggs if I don’t use them? Before undergoing treatment, you will be asked to fill in various consent forms outlining the options available to you in Spain. You can choose to stop storing them, donate your eggs to another woman or allow them to be used for research.
