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Success Rates with Frozen Eggs

Ask about success rates with frozen eggs

Once you’ve learned what the egg freezing process entails, one important question remains—what are the success rates with frozen eggs?

In 2013, the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) and the Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology (SART) published a joint document stating that based on recent favorable outcomes, modern methods used to freeze eggs should no longer be considered experimental. This classification was a major development for women who wish to extend their fertile years.

In the past, available freezing methods had limited success.

Due to the high water content of eggs, ice crystals would form during the slow-freezing process. When the eggs undergo thawing months or years later, these ice crystals would damage the cell membranes and destroy the eggs.

In recent years, vast improvements have changed the slow-freezing process. Unlike previous methods, current freezing technology involves replacing the water inside the egg with a type of “antifreeze.” This cryoprotectant protects the egg as it is frozen. The introduction of a rapid-freezing technology called vitrification has also significantly yielded positive results. This newer method is an ultra-rapid freezing process during which liquids turn into a glass-like solid state, avoiding problematic crystal formation.

Success in numbers: frozen eggs success rates are equal to fresh

After conducting several randomized controlled trials, ASRM revealed that the success of in vitro fertilization with fresh eggs and vitrified eggs produced similar results. There were no significant differences in fertilization rates between the groups: (74% vitrified vs. 73% fresh), implantation rates (40% vs. 41%), and pregnancy rates per transfer (55% vs. 56%).

The data also showed no increased risk of chromosomal abnormalities, birth defects or developmental deficits associated with frozen eggs.

While these results are promising, the ASRM stresses that individual results vary. ASRM also stresses that a woman’s age at the time of egg freezing directly impacts the success rate of their frozen eggs.

To stay up-to-date on the latest advances in frozen eggs success rates, contact our Austin fertility center.