Egg Freezing: Key Trends And Insights You Need To Know

Egg freezing, medically known as oocyte cryopreservation, has evolved from a procedure mainly associated with women undergoing cancer treatment into a widely discussed option for preserving fertility and expanding reproductive choices.

According to Ireporter Online, changing social expectations, career ambitions, relationship circumstances, workplace benefits and advances in reproductive technology have contributed to the growing interest in elective egg freezing.

While some women previously considered the procedure mainly as a last-resort option later in life, fertility specialists generally advise that younger women tend to have better outcomes because egg quality declines with age.

Egg freezing involves stimulating the ovaries with hormone injections for about 10 to 14 days to encourage the development of multiple eggs. Once the eggs mature, they are retrieved through a minimally invasive procedure using ultrasound guidance, usually while the patient is under sedation or anaesthesia.

The retrieved eggs are then rapidly frozen through a technique known as vitrification and stored at extremely low temperatures, typically around minus 196 degrees Celsius. The process halts biological activity and allows the eggs to remain preserved for future use.

However, fertility specialists stress that freezing eggs does not guarantee a future pregnancy. Some eggs may not survive thawing, fertilisation or embryo development, meaning outcomes can vary depending on factors such as age at retrieval, egg quality, laboratory standards and other reproductive factors.

The growing awareness of egg freezing has also attracted attention among Nigerian celebrities. Afrobeats singer Tiwa Savage previously revealed that she had frozen her eggs as part of her plans for having more children in the future. She also encouraged women to consider fertility preservation earlier rather than waiting until later in life.

Content creator and social media influencer Amarachi Amusi, popularly known as Ashmusy, also disclosed that she decided to freeze her eggs because motherhood is important to her and she wanted to preserve the possibility of becoming a mother later in life, irrespective of her relationship status.

Former Big Brother Naija housemate and disc jockey Tolanibaj has similarly spoken about taking proactive steps to preserve her fertility rather than potentially regretting not doing so in the future.

Nigerian fertility and reproductive endocrinologist, Dr Olakunle Olawole Oloko, explained that egg freezing has long been used to protect the fertility of women facing medical treatments that could damage their reproductive systems.

According to the specialist, cancer patients, particularly those undergoing chemotherapy, may freeze their eggs before treatment because some cancer drugs can negatively affect ovarian function.

Oloko explained that younger women generally have better egg quality and outcomes, while older women face a higher likelihood of chromosomal abnormalities affecting eggs.

He also noted that the hormonal stimulation involved in the process can carry risks, including ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome, a potentially serious complication, although it is not common. Some women may also experience temporary discomfort following egg retrieval.

On the chances of achieving a live birth using previously frozen eggs, Oloko said successful outcomes have been documented, although success rates can differ depending on factors including the fertility centre, laboratory procedures, medical expertise and the individual patient.

He disclosed that at his centre, egg storage costs about ₦550,000 per quarter, although charges may vary between fertility facilities.

Oloko further explained that women retain decision-making rights over their stored eggs. If a woman later becomes pregnant naturally and decides she no longer needs the frozen eggs, they may be discarded according to her instructions and the applicable medical and legal procedures.

The fertility specialist also advised women experiencing anxiety over their biological clock to discuss their options with qualified medical professionals. Depending on individual circumstances, alternatives may include donor eggs, surrogacy or adoption.

Although egg freezing can provide women with additional reproductive flexibility, experts emphasise that it should not be viewed as a guaranteed path to future motherhood. The procedure involves medical, emotional and financial considerations, including the initial retrieval process, storage expenses and possible future IVF treatment.