Egg Freezing/Sperm Freezing

Center for Reproductive Health

Egg Freezing

Egg freezing, also known as oocyte cryopreservation, is a fertility preservation method that allows women to freeze and store their eggs for future use. This option is ideal for those who want to delay pregnancy due to personal, career, or medical reasons, such as undergoing treatments like chemotherapy that may impact fertility.

Egg Freezing at the Center for Reproductive Health in Spokane

How Egg Freezing Works

The egg freezing process involves stimulating the ovaries with fertility medications to produce multiple eggs. Once mature, the eggs are retrieved from the ovaries in a minimally invasive procedure and then frozen using vitrification, a fast-freezing technique that prevents ice crystals from forming and damaging the eggs. These eggs can remain frozen for many years and be thawed when you’re ready to use them in an IVF cycle

Who Should Consider Egg Freezing?

Egg freezing is a great option for women who:

Want to delay childbearing due to career, education, or personal goals.
Are concerned about age-related fertility decline and want to preserve their eggs while they’re still viable.
Are undergoing medical treatments, like chemotherapy or radiation, that may affect fertility.
Have a family history of early menopause

Center for Reproductive Health

Success Rates and Benefits

Egg freezing offers women the flexibility to extend their fertility options. While success rates can vary based on the woman’s age at the time of freezing, younger eggs typically result in better outcomes. Freezing eggs earlier, particularly in your 20s or early 30s, increases the likelihood of future pregnancy.

Technological advancements like vitrification have significantly improved the survival rates of thawed eggs, making this a reliable fertility preservation method.

The Process of Egg Freezing

1 - Ovarian Stimulation:

Fertility medications are used to stimulate the ovaries to produce multiple eggs over 10-14 days.

2 - Egg Retrieval

Once the eggs are mature, they are retrieved through a short, outpatient procedure using ultrasound-guided aspiration.

3 - Freezing (Vitrification)

The eggs are rapidly frozen and stored for future use. They can be thawed and fertilized later when you're ready to proceed with pregnancy

Center for Reproductive Health

Sperm Freezing: Fertility Preservation for Men

Alongside egg freezing, sperm freezing is another essential fertility preservation option offered at the Center for Reproductive Health in Spokane. Sperm freezing allows men to store their sperm for future use, ensuring reproductive options are maintained, especially in cases where fertility might be affected by medical treatments, aging, or other personal reasons.

Sperm Freezing at the Center for Reproductive Health in Spokane

Who Should Consider Sperm Freezing?

Sperm freezing is ideal for:

Men undergoing medical treatments such as chemotherapy, radiation, or surgeries that could impact fertility.
Men in high-risk occupations where exposure to toxins or injury could harm reproductive health.
Men planning a vasectomy who want the option of future biological children.
Couples using assisted reproductive technologies like IVF, especially if sperm quality or availability may vary over time.

How Sperm Freezing Works

Sperm Collection: A sample is collected through masturbation or, in some cases, surgical extraction.
Analysis and Processing: The sperm is analyzed for quality and motility, then frozen using cryoprotectants to protect the sperm during the freezing process.
Long-Term Storage: The sperm is stored in liquid nitrogen and can be preserved for many years with minimal degradation in quality

The Benefits of Sperm Freezing

Long-Term Fertility Preservation: Sperm can be stored for several years, making it a reliable option for men looking to preserve their fertility.
Convenience for IVF or IUI: Stored sperm can be used in fertility treatments such as in vitro fertilization (IVF) or intrauterine insemination (IUI) whenever the couple is ready to conceive.
Medical Security: It provides peace of mind for men undergoing medical treatments that may affect sperm production.

Egg and Sperm Freezing: A Comprehensive Approach to Fertility Preservation

Together, egg and sperm freezing offer a comprehensive solution for individuals or couples looking to preserve their reproductive potential. Whether you’re planning ahead for personal reasons or facing medical treatments that could impact fertility, both options provide the flexibility to start or grow your family on your own timeline.

For more information or to schedule a consultation about egg or sperm freezing, contact the Center for Reproductive Health in Spokane today. Our team is ready to guide you through every step of the fertility preservation process.