As women increasingly postpone pregnancy to pursue career goals or due to personal circumstances, the issue of fertility preservation has gained prominence. However, a recent meta-analysis sheds light on the complexities and limitations of egg freezing, particularly for those over the age of 38.
The decline in female fertility becomes pronounced after the mid-30s, leading to age-related infertility. Women, especially those who have not yet found a partner or those who faced medical treatments like chemotherapy, often pin their hopes on egg freezing for future pregnancies. However, the efficacy of this method diminishes significantly with advancing age, as revealed by a study conducted by physicians at Jerusalem’s Shaare Zedek Medical Center (SZMC).
The study, led by experts from SZMC’s in-vitro fertilization (IVF) unit, found that the success rate of egg freezing declines notably beyond the age of 35. Among women who froze their eggs before 35, one in two achieved successful pregnancies, whereas the success rate dropped to one in three for those aged 36 to 39. Alarmingly, only one in five women aged 40 and above managed to give birth using frozen eggs.
Given its adherence to Jewish law, SZMC naturally attracts observant Jewish women seeking fertility preservation services. The findings underscore the importance of timely decision-making regarding egg freezing, particularly for women contemplating the procedure after their mid-30s.
Dr. Avi Tsafrir and Dr. Ayala Hirsch, along with Dr. Bruria Hirsch-Raccah, spearheaded the research, published in Human Reproduction Update. Their analysis, titled “Planned Oocyte Cryopreservation: A Systematic Review and Meta-Regression Analysis,” synthesized data from global studies involving 8,750 women who opted for egg freezing. Only 11% of these women returned for fertility treatment using their frozen eggs, with the average age at egg retrieval being 38.
Despite technological advancements like vitrification, which significantly improved egg survival rates compared to traditional slow freezing methods, egg quality remains a concern, especially with age. While fertility treatments address various reproductive issues, they do not mitigate the natural decline in egg quality over time. Consequently, the success of egg freezing largely hinges on the age at which the procedure is performed, rather than the age at which women attempt conception using the frozen eggs.
Dr. Tsafrir emphasized the need for comprehensive data collection to provide robust recommendations regarding the optimal age for egg retrieval. With many women opting to freeze eggs for personal reasons, such data-driven insights are crucial for informed decision-making in fertility preservation.
In conclusion, while egg freezing offers hope for future pregnancies, its efficacy diminishes with age. Timely consideration and informed decision-making are paramount for women contemplating this option, particularly beyond the age of 38.
