Use Caution When Freezing Eggs

One can freeze human eggs to treat infertility, but the American Society for Reproductive Medicine recently urged caution for women hoping to pause a ticking biological clock.  The Society cited studies that found younger women are as likely to get pregnant if they use frozen eggs for their infertility treatment as if they used fresh ones. 

The pricey technology is not covered by insurance for elective reasons, but it is being marketed aggressively for women who are not ready for motherhood at this point, but want their frozen eggs as insurance for later. So, should otherwise healthy women freeze their eggs in case they are not ready for motherhood until their late 30s or later, when childbearing windows are closing?

The Society makes it clear that there is no guarantee on this procedure.  Eggs are more difficult to freeze than sperm because eggs contain a lot of water. It is not clear who is a good candidate for the procedure and if women who are storing their eggs are getting a false sense of security.  Anyone who considers egg freezing should seek counseling about their specific circumstances. 

See Freezing Eggs For Fertility Works, Caution Urged, The Examiner, Oct. 19, 2012. 

Special thanks to Brian Cohan (Attorney at Law, Law Offices of Brian J. Cohan, P.C.) for bringing this article to my attention.