Frozen or Fresh: Which Eggs Are Better for IVF?
We understand you want to do everything possible to optimize your chance of conceiving and having a healthy child. If you found this resource because you’re researching whether it’s better to use fresh eggs vs. frozen eggs for IVF, we can help.
Many assume fresh eggs are better for IVF because they haven’t been subjected to freezing and thawing processes, but that isn’t necessarily true.
In this blog, we share innovations in egg freezing, whether fresh vs. frozen eggs are better for IVF treatments, IVF success rates for frozen eggs, and how long you can freeze eggs for IVF.
Are Frozen Eggs Better for IVF?
Vitrification, a new form of egg freezing, has leveled the playing field for using frozen eggs for IVF treatments. During vitrification, eggs are frozen nearly instantly (in about one second) in a liquid nitrogen solution. This process significantly reduces the risk of ice crystals, making the eggs less vulnerable to damage upon thawing.
As technology has continued to improve, we now see comparable birth rates between fresh eggs vs. frozen eggs IVF transfers. However, fresh eggs are still 19% more likely to become embryos than frozen eggs.
How Long Can Eggs Be Frozen for IVF?
If you’re considering IVF to preserve your fertility, you might wonder, “How long can you freeze eggs for IVF?”
Thanks to these innovations in egg freezing, eggs can be frozen indefinitely without experiencing a decline in quality.
According to a 2017 Fertility and Sterility study by the American Society of Reproductive Medicine, 70% of patients (aged 38 or younger) who froze their eggs and thawed out at least 20 years later had a baby.
However, if you plan on freezing and thawing frozen eggs for IVF, there are a few factors to consider. Women hoping to preserve their fertility should freeze their eggs in their late 20s or early 30s to ensure optimal egg quality. Eggs from younger women are more likely to be chromosomally normal and lead to live birth.
Frozen Eggs IVF Success Rate
Studies demonstrate that 90-95% of eggs frozen using the vitrification method survive the freezing and thawing process (compared to 61% of slow-frozen eggs).
Women under 35 who freeze 10-20 eggs have a 70-90% chance of at least one live birth.
If you’re researching fertility clinics, be sure they’re using vitrification for egg freezing to increase your chances of conception.
Whether you want to try a frozen egg IVF transfer, are interested in preserving your fertility, or want to learn more about egg freezing for IVF, the skilled specialists at Pacific Reproductive Center can help answer any questions you have about fresh vs. frozen eggs for IVF and provide the peace of mind you need.
Call us today at 424-340-0871 to schedule an appointment.
