![\"\"](\"https:\/\/expecting.ai\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/egg-freezing-1024x470.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/li><\/ul><\/figure>\n\n\n\nSounds like plenty, right?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The catch: with each month, a number of immature eggs rise to the surface in their housed follicles, while the brain produces a hormone known as Follicle Stimulating Hormone to grow, develop and release 1 egg. The problem is, FSH only comes naturally in the amount for 1 egg to be released. Therefore, the other eggs available at the surface of the ovary that given month, will be reabsorbed and die off in the woman\u2019s ovary. This is the natural course 99% of a woman\u2019s eggs will take.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Not only is egg quantity on the decline, over time outer & internal stressors will damage the egg leading to a decline in quality. This will make it increasingly more difficult for a woman to get pregnant and sustain a healthy & safe pregnancy. Because of this reality women face, physicians & caregivers must continue to counsel women about the changes in their fertility regardless if they are actively planning to become pregnant or not (1).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The harsh reality of a women\u2019s biological clock has led to the rise in fertility preservation. <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
In the 21st century, statistically women are delaying their childbearing years in pursuit of their career, to travel and to focus on themselves. However, the delay in attempted childbearing comes at the cost of an increase in age related infertility (2). <\/p>\n\n\n\n
History of Egg Freezing: <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Oocyte Cryopreservation has been around for decades, primarily used in cases of oncofertility. Oncofertility refers to the medical field that bridges together oncology and reproductive endocrinology. The goal is to maximize the potential of a woman\u2019s fertility by freezing her eggs upon learning about a cancer diagnosis. Women in their 20s-30s diagnosed with a malignancy requiring chemotherapy & radiation are at risk for losing their reproductive potential. Therefore, for years, oncologists have worked with reproductive endocrinologists to freeze women\u2019s eggs to preserve them for future use before they would be destroyed by anti cancer agents. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
However, in 2012 The American Society for Reproductive Medicine<\/a> labeled Egg Freezing as a \u201csocial\u201d & \u201celective\u201d procedure, leading to the rise over the past decade for women to get their eggs on ice. Hospitals, Fertility Clinics and Boutique fertility startups are offering egg freezing cycles across the United States. There has been a shift in the mentality behind egg freezing as *well, from shame to empowerment.
<\/p>\n\n\n\nFrom shame to empowerment.<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
While unfortunately fertility treatment has a silent stigma, celebrities, influencers, startups and Human Resource departments are trying to change the narrative every day. To offset the hefty cost of egg freezing, employers are offering fertility insurance coverage in their package of benefits. Fertility clinics<\/a> have begun offering payment plans and discounts to encourage more women to opt in to this form of \u2018self care\u2019. <\/p>\n\n\n\n