About Egg Freezing
Egg freezing – oocyte cryopreservation - is a medical procedure where a number of your eggs are extracted from your ovaries and frozen for use in the future. Freezing stops your eggs from ageing, meaning that you could still have the option of genetic motherhood when you are older.
Whilst egg freezing has been offered to women facing fertility-threatening medical treatments such as chemotherapy for some years, freezing for elective reasons has only been offered in clinics in the past few years - since the American Society of Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) announced in January 2013 that the practice was no longer “experimental”. Despite the ASRM also warning against using egg freezing “for the sole purpose of circumnavigating reproductive ageing in healthy women” due to a lack of sufficient data, the procedure has been gaining popularity among women wanting to preserve their fertility. This is commonly referred to as 'social egg freezing'.
The products in the Timeless range give further information on the process of egg freezing, the current success rates, and age-related fertility decline.
Should you want to know more about egg freezing and fertility clinics here are the places we suggest you look:
The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority
The UK's independent regulator, dedicated to licensing and monitoring UK fertility clinics and providing impartial and authoritative information to the public.
Progress Educational Trust
A charity whose fundamental objective is to create an environment in which ethically sound research and practice in genetics, assisted conception, embryo/stem cell research and related areas will thrive.
The British Fertility Society
Is the National multidisciplinary organisation representing professionals practising in the field of reproductive medicine. Its aim is to promote high quality practice in the provision of fertility treatment.
The Assisted Conception Unit, Guy’s and St Thomas’ Hospital
Established in 1991, the ACU has developed a reputation for excellence in both NHS and private infertility treatment, and are one of the leading innovators in the field of fertility.
The Institute for Women’s Health
Part of University College London, The objective of the Institute is to make a difference to the health of women, babies and their families in the UK and internationally by creation of a leading centre of excellence for research, clinical care, education and training.
The Centre for Reproductive & Genetic Health
The CRGH have been freezing eggs since 2009 and have the highest live birth rate as a result of egg freezing treatment in the UK.
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There is very little data on the success rates of egg freezing,
and it is complicated to decipher, however should you be interested
here are some of the best reports and articles we came across in our research:
Mature oocyte cryopreservation: a guideline
Egg freezing and egg banking: empowerment and alienation in assisted reproduction
Six years' experience in ovum donation using vitrified oocytes
The effects of motherhood timing on career path
Childless women’s knowledge of fertility and assisted human reproduction: identifying the gaps
Factors Influencing Women’s Decisions About Timing of Motherhood
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Our Advisory Board of experts from the medical and
social sciences have published a number of papers between them:
Papers by Emily Jackson, Professor of Law at the London School of Economics and Political Science
Papers by Dr Yacoub Khalaf, Director of the Assisted Conception Unit, Guy's and St Thomas' Hospital
Papers by Dr Tim Child, Medical Director of Oxford Fertility Unit
Papers by Anne Phillips, Professor of Political Science at the London School of Economics and Political Science
Weekly newsletters from Bionews, edited by Sarah Norcross, Director of The Progress Educational Trust