Freezing eggs doesn't ensure a successful pregnancy, warns Aproko Doctor

Chinonso Egemba, a well-known health influencer and medical doctor who goes by the name Aproko Doctor, has set the record straight on common misconceptions surrounding egg freezing, emphasizing that the procedure does not guarantee a successful pregnancy at any point in life, contrary to popular claims circulating online.

n

In a video posted on his social media page on Tuesday, Egemba tackled the growing spread of misinformation about egg freezing, particularly the notion that women who undergo the procedure can have children at any age without limitations.

n

Egemba explained that egg freezing, also known as oocyte cryopreservation, involves extracting a woman's eggs, preserving them at extremely low temperatures, and storing them for future use, a process that essentially puts the eggs in a state of suspended animation.

n

He illustrated the concept by comparing it to food preservation, where eggs are frozen when they are still young and healthy, to be used later when needed, highlighting the importance of preserving the eggs at a point when they are most viable.

n

The procedure begins with hormone injections administered over a period of 10 to 14 days, which stimulate the ovaries to produce multiple eggs, rather than the usual single egg released during a menstrual cycle, as Egemba explained.

n

Once the eggs have matured, they are retrieved using a small needle guided by ultrasound, a procedure that is typically carried out while the patient is under anesthesia, according to Egemba.

n

The eggs are then preserved using a rapid freezing technique known as vitrification, which involves storing them at a temperature of around minus 196 degrees Celsius, at which point all biological activity comes to a complete halt, allowing for long-term storage.

n

Egemba noted that women choose to freeze their eggs for a variety of reasons, including career planning, delayed childbearing, or medical conditions such as cancer treatment that may impact fertility.

n

However, Egemba stressed that egg freezing is by no means a guarantee of pregnancy, cautioning that it is essential to understand the limitations of the procedure and not view it as a definitive solution for having a child.

n

He warned that not all eggs will survive the thawing, fertilization, or development process, even with the most advanced techniques, emphasizing that egg freezing is not a foolproof way to ensure a successful pregnancy.

n

A 2024 report by CCRM Fertility supports Egemba's claim, stating that the chances of achieving a successful pregnancy after implantation of frozen eggs are approximately 30 to 60 percent, although these figures can vary depending on several factors.

n

Egemba also clarified that egg freezing has no bearing on contraception or protection against sexually transmitted infections, stating that the two are entirely unrelated.

n

Additionally, Egemba dismissed claims that frozen eggs are inferior to fresh eggs, citing advances in fertility medicine that have significantly improved success rates in recent years.

n

He urged individuals considering fertility preservation to consult certified fertility specialists rather than relying on social media or hearsay, emphasizing the importance of seeking expert advice from a qualified professional.

n

Egemba added that fertility specialists will assess a woman's ovarian reserve before advising whether egg freezing is a suitable option, highlighting the need for personalized guidance and evaluation.