Fertility on ice: Is egg freezing protected?
Motherhood is a cherished blessing, and with the liberty to expertise it when the time is correct, the journey turns into much more lovely. Egg freezing has emerged as a preferred phenomenon amongst ladies, offering them with an empowering choice to protect their fertility for the long run. Recently, American singer-songwriter Kesha shared her harrowing expertise of practically dying in January after freezing her eggs, shedding mild on the lesser-known points of this course of. Joining the dialog, actor Priyanka Chopra Jonas brazenly mentioned her resolution to freeze her eggs in her early 30s, encouraging working ladies, singles and people unsure about beginning a household to contemplate this feature. With celebs like Ekta Kapoor, Diana Hayden, Khloe Kardashian, Rebel Wilson, and lots of others endorsing this route, egg freezing has gained reputation. Let’s delve extra
What is egg freezing ?
Egg freezing is a reproductive approach the place a lady’s ovaries are stimulated with treatment to provide extra eggs. These eggs are then harvested, frozen, and saved for future use. “The process provides an option for women to preserve their fertility for later use due to which it’s popularity has grown significantly in India too,” says Dr. Rahul Manchanda, Hon. Senior Consultant (Endoscopic Gynecology), PSRI Hospital, Delhi.
Eligibility
Egg freezing is often advisable for girls between the age of 30 to 35, or barely above 35, who aren’t able to have a being pregnant but however need the choice sooner or later. It can be appropriate for girls who undergoes most cancers remedy, surgical procedures on the ovaries, have a genetic dysfunction or comparatively low anti-mullerian hormone at a youthful age.
Who ought to chorus?
Though it may very well be useful for a lot of, it is probably not appropriate for everybody. Women who’re already of their late 30s or past could have a decreased likelihood of success with frozen eggs. “Additionally, those with certain medical conditions like repeated hyper stimulation of ovaries cannot undergo the hormonal stimulation required for egg retrieval,” says Dr Archna Dhawan Bajaj, gynaecologist, Nurture IVF. Women with wholesome fertility needn’t want to contemplate this process.
How to make it comfy
Before egg freezing, ladies sometimes bear ovarian stimulation with hormone injections to provide a number of eggs for retrieval. The hormone injections can certainly trigger discomfort equivalent to bloating, nausea, temper swings and different uncomfortable side effects, much like premenstrual signs. The following are some suggestions to assist ease the problems related to ovarian stimulation:
Stay Hydrated: Drink loads of water to assist flush out the surplus hormones and toxins out of your physique. Staying hydrated can even alleviate bloating.
Rest and Relaxation: Give your physique time to relaxation and keep away from overexertion in the course of the stimulation course of. Prioritize rest methods equivalent to meditation, deep respiration, or mild yoga.
Avoid Trigger Foods: Some meals can exacerbate bloating and nausea. Try to keep away from gas-inducing meals like carbonated drinks, beans, and cruciferous greens throughout this time.
Heat Therapy: Applying a heating pad or heat compress to your decrease stomach could present reduction from bloating and discomfort.
Gentle Exercise: Light train, equivalent to strolling or mild stretching, may help alleviate bloating and promote general well-being.
Dietary Changes: Incorporate meals wealthy in fiber and protein into your weight-reduction plan, as they may help regulate bowel actions and stabilize blood sugar ranges, respectively.
Eat Small, Frequent Meals: Instead of consuming massive meals, strive consuming smaller, extra frequent meals to assist handle nausea and stabilize blood sugar ranges.
Some might even expertise excessive weak point put up course of. “Experiencing weakness or fatigue post-egg freezing is not a common or expected outcome. It generally happens with those having a weak immune system. While some women may feel mild discomfort or fatigue after the procedure, severe weakness to the point of a life-threatening situation is rare. It’s important to note that each person’s response to medical procedures can vary, and individual factors, such as overall health, medical history, and the specific details of the egg freezing process, can play a role in how someone feels afterward. They are recommended to follow the same advice as above,” says Dr Ritu Sethi, Senior Consultant- Gynecology, Cloud Nine Hospital, Gurgaon.
The threat concerned
Artificial nature of the process, the necessity for injections to stimulate the ovaries, and the egg retrieval course of carried out below basic anaesthesia carries inherent dangers:
No Guarantee of Pregnancy: Freezing eggs doesn’t assure future being pregnant and reside delivery. The success of utilizing frozen eggs for conception is determined by varied components, together with the age of the lady on the time of egg freezing, the quantity and high quality of eggs retrieved, and the fertility remedy used when making an attempt being pregnant.
Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome (OHSS): The strategy of ovarian stimulation, which includes taking hormonal injections to provide a number of eggs, can result in OHSS in some circumstances. OHSS is a situation during which the ovaries develop into swollen and painful, inflicting discomfort and, in extreme circumstances, fluid accumulation within the stomach and chest.
Egg Retrieval Complications: The egg retrieval process carries some dangers, together with an infection, bleeding, and harm to surrounding organs. However, these issues are comparatively uncommon and are sometimes managed by skilled medical professionals.