Egg freezing services

Ovarian function declines with age. Aged women have a lower chance of conceiving because of a deterioration of ovarian reserve, which reflects in the reduction of number and quality of eggs.

High-quality eggs are one of the keys to successful conception. Eggs recruited at young age have higher pregnancy rate than those at old age. Likewise, the chance of miscarriage or chromosomal problems will also be lower with younger eggs. Frozen eggs refer to those eggs that were kept frozen and stored while they are still of higher quality. For single lady or couples who plan to delay their fertility planning, egg freezing service preserves female fertility and improve their chance of successful conception.

The freezing technology allows the quality of the eggs to be preserved at the age when they were frozen. When preparing to conceive, young eggs can be used to cultivate embryos through artificial insemination (IVF) before being transplanted back into the uterine cavity.

Under what circumstances should egg freezing be considered?

  •  Women aged 30 or above who are single or do not have childbearing plans
  •  Either partner of the couple needs to postpone the pregnancy plan due to health or environmental factors
  •  People at high risk of premature ovarian failure, including the following conditions:
    1. Cancer patients who are going to undergo chemotherapy or radiation therapy
    2. Autoimmune diseases
    3. Chromosomal or genetic abnormalities (Fragile X premutation, Mosaic XO)

Egg Freezing Procedures

  1. Blood taking and physical examination. Specialist in assisted reproduction will evaluate whether the egg freezing service is suitable to the client;
  2. Use ovulation inducing drugs and injections to stimulate multiple follicles to develop;
  3. Regular follow-up visits as instructed to monitor the development of follicles;
  4. When the follicles are mature, an ovulation trigger injection will be given. Oocyte retrieval will be performed around 36 hours after the injection;
  5. The retrieved eggs will undergo rapid freezing and be stored frozen at -196°C.

According to Hong Kong regulations, eggs could be stored for up to 10 years. When the eggs are thawed for usage, only legal couples could undergone IVF to cultivate the embryos.