What is Better Fresh Eggs or Frozen Eggs?
In vitro fertilization is a process of fertilization where an egg is combined with sperm in vitro. The process involves monitoring and stimulating a female’s ovulatory process, removing an ovum or ova from their ovaries, and letting sperm fertilize them in a culture medium in a laboratory. There is no definitive answer as to whether fresh eggs or frozen eggs are better for in vitro fertilization (IVF). Both fresh and frozen eggs have been used successfully in IVF, and the best choice for you will depend on your individual circumstances and goals. Let’s explore, which is better fresh vs frozen eggs IVF.
Here are a few things to consider when deciding between fresh and frozen eggs for IVF:
#1. Success rates:
The success rate of fresh vs frozen donor eggs IVF are similar. According to the Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology (SART), the success rates for IVF using fresh eggs and frozen eggs are both around 50%. To have good success with frozen eggs, it is important to consider the technology and method used for freezing. With time egg freezing technique has improved but still, most intended parents use fresh eggs, as they can have all the eggs retrieved from their egg donor with the advantage of fresh IVF. IVF fresh vs frozen cycle success rate is almost the same.
#2. Availability:
Fresh eggs must be used within a few hours of being retrieved, while frozen eggs can be stored for an extended period of time. This can be an important consideration if you are unable to undergo an egg retrieval procedure on the same day that you start your menstrual cycle.
#3. Cost:
The cost of an IVF cycle using frozen eggs may be lower than the cost of an IVF cycle using fresh eggs, as it may be possible to use fewer eggs when using frozen eggs. But you need to consider the overall cost, as buying 5 frozen eggs seems to be lower in cost, but after the thawing of eggs, and fertilization of the eggs, once embryos are created, the number of embryos for transfer might be much less. So, you need to purchase again and need pay to ship again if sourced from outside the IVF clinics.
#4. Personal preference:
Some people may prefer to use fresh eggs because they are harvested and used within a few hours, while others may prefer the convenience and flexibility of using frozen eggs that can be stored for an extended period of time.
Overall, both fresh eggs and frozen eggs can be used successfully in IVF, and the best choice for you will depend on your individual circumstances and goals. You might consider discussing your options with your fertility specialist to determine the best course of action for you.
Why do some parents use frozen eggs more than fresh egg pick-up?
Although the practice of using fresh eggs is much more common as compared to the frozen sperm used for IVF. Still, some intended parents opt for frozen eggs due to various reasons.
There are several reasons why some parents may choose to use frozen eggs rather than fresh eggs for in vitro fertilization (IVF):
#1. Timing:
Fresh eggs must be used within a few hours of being retrieved, while frozen eggs can be stored for an extended period of time. In some cases, when a lady has fewer eggs, she might prefer to do multiple eggs picks up and freeze the eggs rather than opting for straightaway fertilization.
#2. Cost:
The cost of an IVF cycle using frozen eggs may be lower than the cost of an IVF cycle using fresh eggs, as it may be possible to use fewer eggs when using frozen eggs.
#3. Egg freezing or preservation of fertility:
Many women who are busy professionals or do not wish to start their families due to personal reasons have the option of freezing eggs for future use. It is a good option for ladies who have not yet found the ideal partner. It is a good option if some lady undergoes medical treatments which affect their fertility or egg reservoirs. In the case of cancer treatment therapies like chemotherapy, the women are advised to freeze their eggs so that they can have babies later on.
#4. Personal preference:
Some people may prefer to use frozen eggs because they can be stored for an extended period of time, while others may prefer the convenience and flexibility of using fresh eggs that are harvested and used within a few hours.
Read more:
What do your need to know about egg freezing?
How does AMH affect your fertility?
Why it is good to use fresh eggs?
Why it is good to use fresh eggs?Most fertility treatments are done with the fresh cycle of egg donors. Even in the case when the donor is traveling from another country, she undergoes the stimulation in her home country, but for fresh egg pick up goes to the IVF clinic. Most IVF clinics use fresh eggs if given the chance and if it is feasible. Some fertility doctor prefers to use fresh eggs IVF cycle as they see a better success rate with it. If egg freezing techniques are not well advanced, fresh eggs IVF cycle can give better results.
There are several reasons why some people may prefer to use fresh eggs for in vitro fertilization (IVF):
#1. Personal preference: Some people may prefer to use fresh eggs because they are harvested and used within a few hours, while others may prefer the convenience and flexibility of using frozen eggs that can be stored for an extended period of time.
#2. Success rates: The success rates for IVF using fresh eggs and frozen eggs are similar. According to the Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology (SART), the success rates for IVF using fresh eggs and frozen eggs are both around 50%. Many fertility clinics prefer to use fresh IVF due to better fertilization and so having a greater number of embryos to transfer.
#3. Cost:
The cost of an IVF cycle using fresh eggs may seem to be higher. But looking at the rate of fertilization and the number of embryos available, it is a better option. In the case of fresh egg pickup, all eggs are given to the intended parents and they might like to have as many embryos as possible. This means they will have more attempts of embryo transfer. It is good to have embryos frozen, in case, IP wishes to have siblings later on. Frozen donor egg costs seem to be lower than fresh eggs if success is achieved sooner.
With frozen eggs, you buy a certain number of eggs at a certain cost, but you might need more eggs than expected. So, the initial low cost may not remain the same.
To conclude, both fresh eggs and frozen eggs can be used successfully in Assisted Reproductive Technique (ART). What you will choose depends on the individual circumstances of the intended parents. Furthermore, it is good to discuss your options with your fertility specialist to determine the best course of action for you as per your specific case.
If you’d like to learn more about IVF, Egg Donation, or surrogacy services globally, check out the rest of our website at IVF Conceptions. We offer legally secure and affordable surrogacy consulting services for FREE.
