Oocyte vitrification is an innovative fertility preservation technique that provides women with the opportunity to plan their maternity and have children with their own oocytes when they decide to do so.
The vitrification process is straightforward. After gentle ovarian stimulation with the appropriate medication, an ovarian puncture is performed to extract the oocytes, monitoring their development through ultrasound for 10 to 12 days. Then, in the laboratory, the quality of the oocytes is assessed, and they are vitrified, storing them until the patient decides to use them.
Who can benefit from oocyte vitrification?
- Women who wish to postpone maternity for professional or personal reasons.
- Patients undergoing oncological treatments that may affect their ovarian reserve.
- Women facing ovarian surgeries that could compromise their ovarian tissue, such as in cases of endometriosis.
- Patients with health issues that may affect their ovarian reserve, such as autoimmune diseases or a history of early ovarian failure.
How long can frozen oocytes be stored?
Frozen oocytes can be kept in that state indefinitely, with no time limit.
They retain their quality until the patient decides to use them in an assisted reproductive treatment.
What is the best age for vitrification?
From a medical standpoint, the best age for vitrification is before 35 years old.
However, even after that age, vitrification remains a viable option, although the results may be less optimal because of aging on ovarian reserve.
