Egg freezing is a process by which women’s eggs are kept safe by freezing them for future pregnancy. It is a great option for women who, for some reason, want to postpone their pregnancy for a while. But many women want to know if there are any side effects of egg freezing. Let’s understand this from the expert opinion.
Egg Freezing Process
In egg freezing, eggs are removed from a woman’s ovaries, which in medical parlance is "egg retrieval" That’s it. For this, hormonal drugs are first used, so that many eggs can be produced in the ovaries at the same time. These are then removed by a minor surgical procedure and frozen at extremely cold temperatures.
These side effects may occur
- Effects of hormonal medications: Hormonal medications given to stimulate ovulation may have side effects, such as headaches, nausea, bloating, or mood swings. These effects are temporary and disappear within a few days.
- Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS): In some cases, hormonal medications can cause ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome. This can cause swelling and pain in the ovaries, but this happens only in rare cases.
- Surgical risks: Egg removal is a minor surgical procedure, with only a slight risk of infection or bleeding. There may be some danger. However, this risk is very low and does not pose a problem in most cases.
- Emotional effects: Some women may experience emotional stress or anxiety during the egg freezing process. In such a situation, seeking help from friends, family members, or a counselor may be beneficial.
Expert advice
Experts say the egg freezing process is generally safe and its side effects are mild. Egg freezing can be a good option for women who are considering pregnancy and want to protect their fertility.
The Right Time to Freeze Eggs
The right time to do egg freezing is when a woman’s fertility is at its best, which is between the ages of 20 and 35. At this time, the quality and number of eggs are at their highest, which helps the success rate of future pregnancies remain better as well. If a woman wants to avoid pregnancy due to her career, health, or other reasons, it is best to have her eggs frozen before the age of 35. This helps keep the eggs safe and allows you to plan for pregnancy whenever you want in the future.