Egg freezing doesn’t guarantee pregnancy, say fertility specialists

Fertility specialists have outlined key considerations for women planning to freeze their eggs to increase the likelihood of a successful pregnancy when they wish to have children later. They stressed that while egg freezing can expand reproductive options, it does not guarantee future pregnancy. However, they noted that factors such as age, overall reproductive health, cost, and the chances of future success of the procedure must be carefully evaluated before making the decision. They explained that egg freezing offers women an opportunity to preserve their fertility for future use, particularly for those who wish to delay childbearing due to career, education, medical, or personal reasons. Egg freezing, known as oocyte cryopreservation, is one form of assisted reproductive technology, according to a medical website, Healthline. It added that during the procedure, medications are used to stimulate eggs to grow. “Those eggs are then harvested from the ovaries and frozen for storage. At a later date, the eggs can be thawed and combined with sperm to create an embryo. The embryo can then be implanted into the uterus during an embryo transfer cycle. “Although this won’t guarantee a pregnancy, it can improve the chances of successfully conceiving later in life,” the website said. In Nigeria, conversations around egg freezing have begun gaining traction among the younger generation on social media, with many considering the idea based on personal, economic, or relationship factors. Aside from the above-listed factors, other women are also considering the option as a viable clinical technique to preserve their fertility, based on concerns around rising infertility among young couples. The Association for Fertility and Reproductive Health says there are about 12 million infertile persons in Nigeria, which is almost 10 per cent of the total population. Speaking exclusively to PUNCH Healthwise, the President of the Association for Fertility and Reproductive Health, Prof. Preye Fiebai, urged women to develop realistic expectations about egg freezing. He explained that the procedure allows women to preserve higher-quality eggs at a younger age. The fertility specialist said while it could be a lifestyle or elective choice for some women, it could be a medical necessity for others. “It is medically necessary for patients facing fertility-threatening conditions such as cancer treatment like chemotherapy/radiation, certain autoimmune diseases, or genetic conditions that accelerate ovarian failure,” he said. Fiebia, who is a professor of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at t