Egg freezing, once considered experimental, has seen significant advancements over the past two decades, transforming fertility preservation for women. Today, it’s widely practiced in IVF centers for both medical and personal reasons, giving women more control over their reproductive futures.
Dr. Gülden Halis, a leading fertility specialist and founder of Kinderwunschteam Berlin, has witnessed these changes firsthand. She explains that the most notable breakthrough came in 2008 with the introduction of vitrification, an ultra-rapid freezing method that improved the survival rates and quality of frozen eggs.
"Egg freezing has always been a key technique in IVF centers. Around 2008, cryopreservation was revolutionized by vitrification, which cools cells to -196°C in seconds. This drastically improved regeneration rates, egg quality, and pregnancy outcomes."
How has egg freezing evolved over the years?
In the past, egg freezing used a slow freezing method, which worked well for embryos but had limitations for oocytes (unfertilized eggs). Ice crystals often formed, damaging the eggs and reducing their survival chances during thawing.
Vitrification changed this by preventing ice crystals and rapidly freezing eggs into a glass-like state. This method has become the gold standard in fertility clinics.
"Before vitrification, egg freezing wasn’t as successful as embryo freezing due to low survival rates. Now, survival rates are around 90%, and pregnancy outcomes with frozen eggs are comparable to fresh ones," says Dr. Halis.
What are the key advancements in egg freezing technology?
Vitrification is the primary technological leap, allowing eggs to be frozen without the risk of ice damage. This advancement has made egg freezing a viable option for women who wish to delay childbirth or need to preserve fertility before medical treatments like chemotherapy.
"We’ve seen a significant rise in pregnancy success rates with vitrified eggs. The technology has empowered women to preserve their fertility for both medical and personal reasons," Dr. Halis adds.
The Future of Egg Freezing
As vitrification becomes standard practice, ongoing research aims to further improve survival and success rates, making egg freezing even more accessible.
"Our goal is to keep improving techniques to give women the best possible chance at pregnancy, whether for medical reasons or extending their reproductive options," says Dr. Halis.
Conclusion
The evolution of egg freezing, driven by the introduction of vitrification, has empowered women with more control over their reproductive health. With higher survival and pregnancy success rates, egg freezing has become a trusted fertility preservation method for women looking to delay family planning or preserve their fertility for medical reasons.