Fertility Preservation for Women
(Egg Freezing)
Beverly Hills, CA
At the moment, you may not be ready to start having children. However, understanding your fertility and exploring ways to increase the chance you could have a child in the future is empowering and a proactive step. At Dr. Diana Chavkin’s experienced fertility practice in Beverly Hills, she offers comprehensive fertility preservation services specifically tailored for women who want to safeguard their reproductive options for the future.
Understanding Fertility Preservation for Women
Fertility naturally declines with age. But there are also certain lifestyle and medical exposures as well as medical conditions, that can impact a woman’s ability to conceive as she ages. Egg freezing (oocyte cryopreservation) allows women to freeze eggs now at a time when their eggs are higher in number and quality as compared to later on in life when they may be ready to have a child. The frozen eggs are stored and then thawed and fertilized in the IVF procedure. Embryos are created and can then be transferred into a woman’s uterus when she is ready to have a child.
Why Consider Fertility Preservation as a Young Woman?
- Proactive Planning: Freezing your eggs at a younger age, when egg quality and number is typically optimal, can increase your chances of a successful pregnancy in the future, regardless of your relationship status or career timeline.
- Medical Reasons: Certain medical conditions or treatments (e.g., chemotherapy, radiation for non-cancerous conditions, endometriosis surgery) can impact ovarian reserve and fertility. Freezing eggs beforehand can improve your chances of having a child down the road.
- Personal Circumstances: You may not be ready to start a family now but want to increase the chance that you have the option later in life. Egg freezing provides peace of mind and some sense of control over your reproductive future.
The Egg Freezing Process
- Comprehensive Consultation and Evaluation: You will meet with Dr. Chavkin to discuss your reasons for considering egg freezing, review your medical history, and undergo ovarian reserve testing (e.g., AMH levels, antral follicle count) to assess your ovarian function.
- Personalized Ovarian Stimulation: Dr. Chavkin will develop a customized medication protocol to gently stimulate your ovaries to produce multiple mature eggs. This process is carefully monitored with blood tests and ultrasound exams by Dr. Chavkin in her Beverly Hills location.
- Egg Retrieval: Once a good number of the eggs have reached maturity, a minimally invasive, ultrasound-guided procedure is performed to retrieve them. This is typically done under mild sedation at our comfortable Beverly Hills clinic.
- Cryopreservation (Vitrification): The retrieved eggs are frozen using a rapid freezing technique called vitrification, which has significantly improved the survival rates of frozen eggs compared to older slow freeze methods.
- Secure Storage: Your frozen eggs are stored in our state-of-the-art cryobank under optimal conditions with backup generators until you are ready to use them.
Why Choose Dr. Diana Chavkin for Fertility Preservation as a Woman in Beverly Hills?
- Expertise in Reproductive Endocrinology: Dr. Diana Chavkin is a board-certified reproductive endocrinologist with extensive experience in fertility preservation.
- Personalized Care: Dr. Chavkin takes the time to understand your individual goals and develops a tailored treatment plan that aligns with your needs.
- Focus on Egg Quality: Our protocols are designed to maximize the number and quality of eggs retrieved for freezing.
- State-of-the-Art Technology: We utilize the latest advancements in cryopreservation and state of the art laboratory to ensure the best possible outcomes for you.
- Empowering Women: Dr. Chavkin and her team are dedicated to empowering women with knowledge and options regarding their fertility.
Frequently asked questions (faqs)
What is ovarian reserve testing, and why is it important?
Ovarian reserve testing assesses the quantity of your remaining eggs. It helps Dr. Chavkin determine the best course of treatment for egg freezing.
How many egg freezing cycles will I need?
The number of cycles may vary depending on your ovarian reserve and the number of eggs retrieved. Dr. Chavkin also considers very carefully your specific goals. She discusses with you how many children you might want to have in the future, when you might want to start having children and what your particular ovarian reserve testing looks like. She uses this information to tailor a specific treatment recommendation that is right for you.
Will the hormone medications used for egg freezing cause long-term health problems?
The hormone medications used for egg freezing are considered safe. The hormones are natural and do not stay in your body. They are quickly broken down and do not have long term effects.
How long can I store my frozen eggs?
Frozen eggs can be stored for many years. The technology allows for long-term storage, giving you flexibility in your family planning timeline.
What are the chances of getting pregnant with frozen eggs?
The chances of pregnancy with frozen eggs depend on factors such as your age at the time of freezing and the quality of the eggs. Generally, it is thought to be similar to the chances of pregnancy when doing IVF with fresh eggs. Dr. Chavkin will discuss realistic success rates with you.
What if I decide I don't want to use my frozen eggs?
You have several options for your frozen eggs, including using them for fertility treatment, donating them, or discarding them. Dr. Chavkin can discuss these options with you.