An increasing number of women are choosing to freeze their eggs amid the pandemic. In fact, some fertility clinics have seen as much as a 50% increase in appointments since COVID-19 was declared a global pandemic last year.
According to WUSA9, Dominion Fertility, which has clinics located in Maryland, DC, and Northern Virginia, has seen a 50% increase in appointments for egg freezing in the past year and a half.
It’s widely theorized that the pandemic is directly responsible for this trend. According to a variety of experts, many women have begun thinking about their future family plans now that work hours are more flexible and dating has slowed down, the publication reports. Egg freezing is an attractive option for many as it can make it easier to start a family later in life. As many people are waiting until later to have kids, and fertility dramatically decreases in women past the age of 35, egg freezing keeps the options open.
Mayo Clinic explains that egg freezing (also referred to as mature oocyte cryopreservation) is a process in which a woman’s eggs are harvested from her ovaries and then frozen in a lab to use later. Once the eggs are thawed, they can be combined with sperm and implanted in a uterus.
It’s an arduous process, however. Medication is often used in order to stimulate the ovary ahead of egg retrieval. Similarly, 10 to 14 days before the retrieval, most women must inject themselves with human chorionic gonadotropin in order to help the eggs mature. There is also a variety of risks associated with egg freezing. The fertility medications may cause the ovaries to swell in rare cases; the symptoms may include bloating, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. The egg retrieval itself may result in complications, such as bleeding or damage to the bowel and bladder.
Mayo Clinic also warns it’s an emotionally trying process, as there’s no guarantee it’ll result in pregnancy or that the eggs will survive the freezing. Though it can open up possibilities in the future, many people still view egg freezing as a gamble that may not be worth the risk.
Another aspect to take into consideration regarding egg retrieval is the cost. According to MSN, the process costs anywhere between $6,000 to $8,000 in the United States, though this varies between countries. The necessary medications can make the overall associated costs even higher. As many insurance companies and employers still do not cover fertility procedures, many people have to foot the bill on their own.
As the coronavirus pandemic continues, the increase in women opting to freeze their eggs may also remain steady. If you want to learn more about egg freezing and its benefits, we encourage you to speak to your healthcare professional.
Sources: WUSA9, Mayo Clinic, MSN,