As egg quality declines with age, conceiving later in life can become more difficult. Social freezing is a solution for women who are postponing parenthood for personal reasons or facing health complications. Freezing your eggs gives you a biological safety net and the freedom to decide when the time is right to start a family.
Social freezing is a method of freezing eggs using vitrification technology, allowing them to be safely preserved for many years. This technology gives women reproductive and professional autonomy and allows them to plan a family according to their current life circumstances.
Many women choose to freeze their eggs for health reasons. Social freezing is also an excellent option for women who wish to postpone parenthood for various reasons. Freezing reproductive cells serves as insurance for the future, when their fertility will naturally be lower.
After the age of 30, a woman's fertility begins to gradually decline. Two main factors are responsible. The total number of eggs in the ovaries decreases with age, and at the same time their genetic quality changes. The proportion of eggs incapable of forming a healthy embryo therefore increases.
In some women, fertility loss can occur due to premature ovarian failure, even before the age of 35. For this reason, some women may benefit from considering egg freezing at a younger age. Thanks to social freezing, it is possible to use eggs retrieved during a period of higher fertility even at a later stage of life.
As age increases, the success rate of assisted reproduction treatments naturally declines. However, social freezing makes it possible to use eggs retrieved at a younger age later on. The chances of conception therefore more closely reflect the age at which the eggs were frozen.
We recommend freezing eggs ideally before the age of 35. If a woman is healthy, she may of course still conceive naturally, and the frozen eggs may never be needed. Vitrified oocytes serve only as a fertility insurance for the future.
If a woman is considering egg freezing, we recommend consulting an IVF specialist. The doctor will explain the entire social freezing process and the chances of successful freezing depending on the patient's age, taking into account the results of the tests carried out as part of the social freezing process.
Thanks to our experienced specialists and the most modern equipment, at Gennet we achieve a high success rate in oocyte vitrification — approximately 95% of eggs survive the freezing process.
We recommend egg freezing for women:
Book your initial consultation with our IVF specialist. No referral is needed, just schedule an appointment. You can have the consultation in person at one of our clinics in Prague or Liberec.
During the initial consultation with our experienced IVF doctor, you will discuss your medical history, particularly in relation to your reproductive health.
The doctor may perform a basic gynaecological examination. Based on this information, they will determine the potential course of treatment.
To correctly set up an individual stimulation protocol, the doctor needs to know the results of the following examinations:
Based on all the results, the IVF specialist will create a personalised stimulation protocol for the patient.
Approximately 14 days after hormonal stimulation, the follicles reach the optimal size for retrieval.
The eggs are then frozen using the most advanced and gentle freezing method — vitrification. Vitrification is a technique for freezing eggs and embryos in which the cells are rapidly cooled to a temperature of -196 degrees C within a few seconds. Cryoprotective substances are used during vitrification to protect the cells from freeze damage. The eggs are then stored in our cryo-storage facility.
The survival rate of eggs after thawing at Gennet is approximately 95%.
Take the first step toward your future. Discuss your options with our experienced specialist during a non-binding consultation.
The success rate of an egg freezing cycle can vary significantly, ranging from very high to very low. The number of eggs retrieved for freezing primarily depends on the patient's age and other health parameters. It is advisable to discuss everything with an experienced IVF doctor, who can estimate the success of social freezing based on the results of the tests conducted.
We recommend considering social freezing between the ages of 30 and 35. However, if you're thinking about freezing your reproductive cells and are outside this age range, consulting with an IVF specialist is still advisable. The doctor will outline your options and provide recommendations on how to manage potential fertility preservation for the future.
The risks associated with social freezing primarily relate to hormonal stimulation and the egg retrieval process.
Common side effects of hormonal stimulation include redness at the injection site, breast tenderness, bloating, and mood swings. These symptoms usually subside within a few days after the egg retrieval.
In some cases, the ovaries may react excessively to hormonal stimulation, resulting in a condition known as ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS). However, due to comprehensive medical testing and the individualised treatment plans we establish for each patient, the risk of this complication at our clinic is minimal.
To prevent complications, it is important not only for the doctor to take an individualised approach but also for the patient to carefully follow all instructions and recommendations given by the doctor and staff.
The term "worth it" is personal and highly subjective. Some individuals may have a 50% chance of getting pregnant using their frozen eggs. For some, this may not justify the investment, while for others, it could be exactly what they expect from social freezing.
You can choose to have the reproductive cells disposed of or donated for scientific research.
No, it will not. We only retrieve the eggs that would naturally be lost during the menstrual cycle.
The egg and sperm each contribute 50% to the embryo. It is very difficult to determine the exact chances of achieving pregnancy and having a healthy baby without knowing the quality of the partner's reproductive cells.
What can be said with certainty about social freezing is that it helps preserve fertility at the level at which the reproductive cells were frozen.
One of our team members will be in touch shortly through your preferred method of communication.
One of our team members will be in touch shortly through your preferred method of communication.
We will explain everything about your current egg reserve and the options that modern medicine offers you. Together, we will design a plan that gives you peace of mind and confidence that your future parenthood is firmly in your hands.
