Egg freezing expands options but doesn't guarantee pregnancy, specialists say

Fertility specialists are urging women to approach egg freezing with realistic expectations, highlighting that while the procedure can preserve younger, higher-quality eggs, it does not ensure a future pregnancy or live birth.

Experts emphasize that oocyte cryopreservation, a form of assisted reproductive technology, involves stimulating egg growth, harvesting them, and freezing them for later use. These eggs can then be thawed, combined with sperm, and implanted via embryo transfer. While this process can improve the chances of conception compared to using older eggs, it remains a procedure that expands options rather than guarantees outcomes.

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Although this won’t guarantee a pregnancy, it can improve the chances of successfully conceiving later in life.

The conversation around egg freezing is growing in Nigeria, particularly among younger generations on social media. Motivations range from personal, economic, and relationship considerations to concerns about the increasing rates of infertility. The Association for Fertility and Reproductive Health reports approximately 12 million infertile individuals in Nigeria, representing nearly 10% of the population.

Professor Preye Fiebai, President of the Association for Fertility and Reproductive Health, stressed the importance of evaluating factors such as age, overall reproductive health, and the procedure's cost and success rates. He noted that for some women, egg freezing is an elective choice, while for others, it is a medical necessity, particularly for those undergoing fertility-threatening treatments like chemotherapy or radiation, or managing autoimmune or genetic conditions that accelerate ovarian failure.

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It improves the odds compared to using older eggs later, but it does not guarantee a pregnancy or live birth.