US Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez recently announced that she is freezing her eggs to feel more in control of her life. This procedure, also known as oocyte preservation, involves extracting eggs from the ovaries and preserving them until the woman hopes to become pregnant.
How Egg Freezing Works
Egg freezing is most effective in a woman’s 20s or early 30s, when she typically has more viable eggs. The process begins with a physical exam to determine whether the woman is a good candidate. A doctor reviews her medical history, orders blood and hormone tests, and performs a transvaginal ultrasound to estimate egg supply.
A woman interested in freezing her eggs is prescribed hormones to encourage the ovaries to produce as many healthy eggs as possible. Regular blood tests and ultrasounds track the patient’s progress to help signal when the eggs have matured. Then, 36 hours before the eggs are retrieved, the patient takes trigger medication to initiate final egg maturation.
A doctor retrieves the eggs through an ultrasound-guided outpatient procedure under general anesthesia. The procedure takes 10 to 30 minutes, and most women can return to work the next day. An embryologist checks whether the eggs are mature enough to be fertilized later. They then undergo vitrification, a rapid-freezing process that uses liquid nitrogen, and are stored until the patient is ready to use them.
Benefits and Risks
Egg freezing can offer more flexibility and control over reproductive health. However, it is a relatively new procedure, and it’s not clear exactly how long eggs can be stored. Fertility hormone injections can cause some discomfort, but side effects are usually mild. In extremely rare cases, hormone injections can trigger a condition called ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome.
Some high-profile tech companies have advertised egg freezing as an employee perk, but most insurance does not cover the cost unless there is a medical reason. Prices vary and can climb into the thousands of dollars. Egg storage is typically billed separately and can cost up to about $1,000 a year, depending on the facility.
Original reporting: El Paso News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
