How Long Can Frozen Eggs Last? Understanding the Shelf Life of Egg Freezing

Egg freezing treatment in India and other parts of the world has gained significant popularity in recent years. It offers women the option to preserve their fertility and plan pregnancies for a later stage in life. This medical breakthrough allows women to freeze their eggs during their prime reproductive years. It ensures higher chances of successful pregnancies.

While egg freezing provides a practical solution to biological and lifestyle challenges, many women wonder: how long can frozen eggs last, and what factors influence their viability?

This article explores the science behind egg freezing, the factors affecting its success, and practical considerations for women opting for this treatment.

The Basics of Egg Freezing

Egg freezing is also known as oocyte cryopreservation. It involves stimulating the ovaries with hormones to produce multiple eggs, retrieving the eggs through a transvaginal procedure, and freezing them for long-term storage. The eggs can later be thawed, fertilized through in vitro fertilization (IVF), and transferred to the uterus to achieve pregnancy.

There are two primary methods for egg freezing:

1. Slow Freezing: This older technique gradually lowers the temperature to freeze the eggs. It has a higher risk of ice crystal formation, which can damage the cells.
2. Vitrification (Flash Freezing): This modern method uses cryoprotectants and ultrarapid cooling to prevent ice crystals. Vitrification has dramatically improved the success rates of egg freezing, with survival rates post-thaw reaching 90%–97%.

Due to its efficiency, vitrification is now the preferred method for egg freezing worldwide, including in leading fertility clinics offering egg-freezing treatment in Mumbai.

How Long Can Frozen Eggs Last?

Theoretically, frozen eggs can last indefinitely if stored under ideal conditions. Cryogenic storage at ultra-low temperatures halts all biological processes, preserving the eggs in their original state. However, the practical viability of frozen eggs depends on several factors, including the woman’s age at the time of freezing, the quality of the eggs, and the freezing process.

Key considerations:

• Indefinite Shelf Life: Properly vitrified eggs stored in specialized tanks can last for decades without degrading in quality.
• Age at Freezing: Eggs frozen before the age of 35 have higher chances of resulting in a healthy pregnancy. This is because younger eggs are less likely to have chromosomal abnormalities.
• Storage Conditions: Consistent maintenance of ultra-low temperatures is crucial. Any fluctuations can compromise egg viability.

Clinical studies have shown successful pregnancies from eggs frozen for over 10 years, providing reassurance about the long-term viability of frozen eggs.

Factors Influencing Success Rates

The success of using frozen eggs depends on various biological and procedural factors. Some of the most critical aspects include:

1. Maternal Age at Retrieval: Women under 35 have better-quality eggs, leading to higher pregnancy rates. For women over 38, egg quality declines, reducing the chances of success.
2. Thawing Efficiency: Vitrification ensures better survival rates during thawing, with most eggs retaining their integrity.
3. Number of Eggs Frozen: Freezing a higher number of eggs increases the likelihood of achieving a live birth. Typically, 15–20 eggs are recommended for optimal outcomes.
4. Storage and Handling: Eggs must be stored in state-of-the-art facilities to avoid damage. Leading clinics offering egg freezing treatment in Mumbai invest heavily in advanced cryogenic systems.
5. Underlying Health Conditions: Women with medical conditions such as cancer or hormonal imbalances may have reduced egg quality, impacting success rates.

Success Rates of Frozen Eggs

Clinical data on egg freezing shows promising results:

• Survival Rate: Between 90% and 97% for vitrified eggs.
• Fertilization Rate: Approximately 71% to 79%.
• Pregnancy Rate: The clinical pregnancy rate per thawed egg ranges from 4.5% to 12%.
• Live Birth Rate: Women under 38 have a live birth rate of 2% to 12% per egg.

These statistics are derived from eggs frozen at younger ages. As a woman ages, the likelihood of a successful pregnancy decreases.

Benefits of Egg Freezing

Egg freezing offers significant advantages for women, especially those facing personal or professional challenges to starting a family early:

• Women can freeze eggs in their prime reproductive years and use them later when ready for parenthood.
• Freezing eggs at a younger age reduces the risk of chromosomal abnormalities in future pregnancies.
• Women can plan IVF cycles at their convenience without being constrained by declining fertility.
• Women undergoing cancer treatments that affect fertility can freeze their eggs beforehand.
• For women without a partner or those with ethical concerns about embryo freezing, egg freezing is a viable option.

Risks and Limitations of Egg Freezing

While egg freezing is a remarkable technology, it has its share of risks and limitations:

• Freezing eggs does not ensure a successful pregnancy or live birth. Success rates depend on the quality and quantity of frozen eggs.
• Ovarian stimulation can cause side effects such as nausea, fatigue, and abdominal pain. Rarely, severe ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) may occur, requiring hospitalization.
• Egg freezing is expensive, with treatment costs ranging between ₹4–8 lakhs in cities like Mumbai. Storage fees add to the long-term expenses.
• Women over 38 at the time of freezing have lower chances of success due to declining egg quality.
• Women using frozen eggs for IVF face risks such as multiple pregnancies, gestational diabetes, and preeclampsia. Babies born via IVF may have a slightly higher risk of congenital anomalies.

Considerations Before Opting for Egg Freezing

Women considering egg freezing should evaluate several factors:

• Timing: Freezing eggs earlier (preferably before 35) increases success rates.
• Financial Commitment: The costs of freezing, storage, and future IVF must be planned.
• Health Risks: Women should discuss potential side effects with their healthcare providers.
• Long-Term Goals: Egg freezing is ideal for women with a clear plan for future parenthood.

Consulting with a trusted clinic offering egg-freezing treatment in Mumbai can provide clarity on the procedure, success rates, and costs.

Using Frozen Eggs for IVF

Frozen eggs are typically used in IVF cycles, where they are thawed, fertilized, and transferred as embryos to the uterus. The success of IVF depends on the number of eggs retrieved, the quality of embryos, and the woman’s health at the time of the procedure. Risks include high blood pressure, premature delivery, and low birth weight in babies.

Advanced Maternal Age and Its Risks

Women using frozen eggs often delay pregnancy until their late 30s or 40s. While this is medically feasible, advanced maternal age poses risks:

• For Women: Increased chances of gestational diabetes, preeclampsia, and preterm delivery.
• For Babies: Higher risk of low birth weight, premature birth, and congenital anomalies.

These risks underscore the importance of early planning and professional medical guidance.

Conclusion

The treatment is a game-changer in fertility that gives women the power to delay pregnancy without losing hope of having a biological child. It can last forever when done by vitrification, and these eggs are frozen until the eggs of the intention are thawed. Its success will depend upon the age at which a woman has her eggs retrieved, the quality of the eggs, and the expertise of the clinic.

4Women planning to freeze eggs either in Mumbai or elsewhere should do good research and seek professional advice from fertility specialists. By knowing about the science, benefits, and risks of the process, a woman can make sound decisions that help her achieve her personal and professional goals.