Debunking Myths About Egg Freezing: A Nurse Practitioner’s Perspective
Eileen McMahon, Nurse Practitioner
Let’s clear up some common misunderstandings about Egg Freezing with insights from Eileen McMahon, Nurse Practitioner and Egg Freezing Specialist from Hannam Fertility Centre.
As a Nurse Practitioner specializing in fertility counseling, I often encounter numerous myths and misconceptions about egg freezing. Deciding to freeze your eggs is a choice that is complicated enough already so it’s crucial to base your decision on the facts. Let's clear up some of these misunderstandings:
Myth: Egg freezing will decrease my fertility and lead to early menopause by reducing my egg count.
Truth: Actually, egg freezing doesn’t lower your egg count or ovarian reserve and is not a cause of early menopause. Each month, your body naturally matures several eggs, but usually only one is released during ovulation, and the others degenerate and can't be used again. This degenerative process is called “follicular atresia" which is essentially natural loss of follicles. Egg freezing simply makes use of these eggs that would have gone unused in a natural cycle, preserving them for potential fertilization in the future.
Myth: Freezing my eggs guarantees a future pregnancy.
Truth: While egg freezing definitely boosts your chances of a future pregnancy, it's not a sure thing. Success rates depend on factors like your age when the eggs are frozen, and the number of healthy eggs stored. We do know though that frozen eggs from a younger age offer a higher success rate for pregnancy compared to undergoing IVF at a later age.
Myth: Egg retrieval is a high-risk procedure.
Truth: Egg freezing, including the egg retrieval step, is generally safe with minimal risks. The most significant risk, ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS), is very rare. At Hannam Fertility Centre, we take several precautions to avoid it: using the safest yet most effective dose of stimulation medication, following your progress with regular monitoring, and prescribing additional medications as needed to reduce your risk.
Myth: It's always better to freeze embryos instead of eggs.
Truth: The choice between freezing eggs or embryos depends on various factors. Egg freezing might be more fitting if you’re single or not ready to decide on a genetic partner. Embryo freezing offers additional information, like genetic health, which isn’t possible with eggs.
Myth: Freezing eggs in my late 30s won't be effective.
Truth: Many people successfully freeze eggs in their late 30s. While it's true that egg quality and quantity generally decline with age, successful egg freezing is still possible, though it might require more egg freezing cycles.
Myth: The Ontario Fertility Program covers all egg freezing costs.
Truth: The Ontario Fertility Program (OFP) only funds egg freezing in specific medical cases, such as for treatments that could lead to infertility, and even then medications are an additional cost. OFP may cover future IVF using these eggs, though there is a considerable wait list and coverage isn't guaranteed.
It's essential to dispel myths surrounding egg freezing to empower people with accurate knowledge, fostering informed decisions about their reproductive health. By clarifying these points, we aim to promote open discussions and showcase egg freezing as a powerful option for family planning.
Connecting with a fertility specialist can help you make informed decisions. Click here to book an appointment with Eileen McMahon.
Author: Eileen McMahon, Nurse Practitioner and Egg Freezing Specialist at Hannam Fertility Centre