Egg freezing
Egg Freezing
Egg freezing, also known as oocyte cryopreservation (pronounced oh-oh-site cryo-preservation), is a method used to save a woman's ability to get pregnant in the future.
Etymology
The term "egg freezing" is derived from the process of freezing a woman's eggs, or oocytes, for future use. The term "oocyte" comes from the Greek words "oion" meaning egg and "kutos" meaning container. "Cryopreservation" is derived from the Greek word "kryos" meaning cold and the English word "preservation".
Process
The process of egg freezing involves several steps. First, a woman undergoes hormone therapy to stimulate her ovaries to produce multiple eggs. Once the eggs are mature, they are retrieved from the ovaries in a minor surgical procedure. The eggs are then frozen and stored for future use.
Use
Egg freezing is often used by women who are not ready to become pregnant now but want to try to ensure they can get pregnant later. It's also used by women who need to undergo medical treatments such as chemotherapy that might harm their fertility.
Risks
Like all medical procedures, egg freezing carries some risks. These include the risks associated with the hormone therapy used to stimulate egg production, such as ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome, and the risks associated with the egg retrieval procedure.
Related Terms
- In vitro fertilization: A process in which an egg is fertilized by sperm outside the body.
- Cryopreservation: The process of preserving cells or whole tissues by cooling them to sub-zero temperatures.
- Embryo freezing: A process similar to egg freezing, but it involves freezing embryos instead of eggs.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Egg freezing
- Wikipedia's article - Egg freezing
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