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Egg/Sperm/Embryo Freezing

Egg, Sperm and Embryo Freezing in Cyprus

Egg Freezing in Cyprus- Freezing your gamete cells (egg/ sperm) and embryos is very common now. Vitrification is one of the new options in freezing techniques (cryopreservation) to provide us with more success rates. The technique allows us to freeze/thaw gamete cells and embryos with very high survival rates. There are no increased risks of genetic problems in children born from frozen embryos or gametes according to scientific publications. These children appear to be as normal as children who are conceived naturally.

Patients who choose to freeze their gametes are those who would like to have their sperm/eggs available for use later in situations where they are concerned that they may no longer be able to produce healthy gametes. This can be when they are suffering from cancer and/or cancer treatment or even undergoing surgery that may affect their reproductive status. For patients that travel a lot and would not be available to provide a gamete sample when required during a treatment cycle, may wish to freeze their eggs or sperm so that it is available when needed. Especially for those patients who chose to focus on their career first, they can use this method in order to realize their plans of having a family later on.

Embryos can also be frozen. These embryos have been created during an IVF cycle. It is very common to freeze excess embryos after an IVF cycle at Cyprus HOPE IVF Consultation for use in a later transfer. The vitrification freezing process has no harmful effects on the embryos as our Embryologists use the fast-freezing vitrification technique to avoid the risk of crystallization that can occur with standard cryopreservation methods.

Who Should Consider Fertility Preservation?

Egg freezing first began in 1986. The method used in those days did not lead to good survival of the eggs when thawed. We can now successfully freeze and thaw eggs with the process of vitrification. Egg freezing is no longer considered experimental. Many patients may consider freezing their eggs.

Patients with cancer may be offered the option of freezing their eggs if their treatment may compromise the future fertility potential of their ovaries and eggs. Patients who are at a stage in their life where creating a pregnancy is not desirable may wish to freeze theirs eggs for use to create a pregnancy at a later time. Once frozen, eggs do not “age” and therefore maintain their potential to create a pregnancy that is equivalent to the potential that is related to the age of the patient at the time of freezing. Some patients may wish to freeze their eggs with the goal of donating them to another patient (most commonly a family member or a friend) again at a later date.

Cyprus HOPE Fertility offers the opportunity to freeze eggs. Successful live birth with the use of the frozen eggs is dependent on the age of the eggs used for freezing; the older the patient the less likely the chance of a live birth when the eggs are thawed and embryos created. The younger the age of the patient who is freezing their eggs, the greater the chance of success of gaining a pregnancy with those eggs. Studies suggest that freezing eggs from women up to the age of 42 gives a viable chance for a pregnancy resulting from these eggs in the future but the younger the woman who has frozen the eggs, the better. The older the patient, the more eggs are recommended to be frozen due to the risk of increased genetic abnormality with age. However, with older patients there may be more difficulty producing enough eggs for freezing, and for these patients egg pooling (several egg collections) can be the best solution. It is suggested that the best outcomes are achieved when 10 or more eggs are frozen. For patients who are freezing eggs because of cancer treatment, the approach is to freeze as many or as few as are obtained through the stimulation process. The opportunity to repeat the process may be limited due to imminent cancer treatment that cannot be delayed.

When a patient returns to use their eggs that have been frozen, they will be assessed and then provided with medications to prepare the body to receive a potential pregnancy. The eggs are then thawed, fertilized with sperm and the resulting embryo(s) are placed in the uterus to see if they will implant. Embryos that are created during this process but not placed in the uterus, can be frozen again without harm and thawed for use at a later time. 

At Cyprus Hope Fertility, together with Op. Dr. Zehra Onar and our experienced team, we offer advanced egg, sperm, and embryo freezing services in Northern Cyprus. Protect your fertility and secure your reproductive health for the future by contacting us today.

Frequently Asked Questions About Egg, Sperm and Embryo Freezing

Cryopreservation is the process of preserving eggs, sperm or embryos at very low temperatures for possible future use.

Vitrification is an ultra-rapid freezing technique commonly used for eggs and embryos. It helps prevent the formation of ice crystals that could damage the cells during freezing. Sperm may be preserved using different cryopreservation techniques depending on the sample and the laboratory protocol.

Current evidence indicates that children born following treatment with frozen eggs, sperm or embryos generally have health outcomes comparable to those born following fresh fertility treatment.

However, every treatment and pregnancy is different. Your fertility specialist will explain any individual considerations based on your medical history, age and proposed treatment.

Fertility preservation may be considered by people who:

  • Are preparing for chemotherapy, radiotherapy or another medical treatment that may affect fertility
  • Require surgery that may affect the ovaries, testes or reproductive system
  • Wish to preserve their fertility before age-related fertility decline
  • Are not currently ready to start a family
  • Have a medical or genetic condition that may affect future fertility
  • May not be available during a planned fertility treatment cycle

The suitability of egg or sperm freezing should be assessed individually by a fertility specialist.

No. Mature egg freezing is now regarded as an established fertility preservation method and is routinely used in fertility clinics worldwide.

Advances in vitrification and embryology laboratory techniques have significantly improved egg survival and treatment outcomes. Nevertheless, egg freezing cannot guarantee a future pregnancy.

Egg freezing is generally more effective when performed at a younger age, particularly before the age of 35. This is because both the number and genetic quality of eggs decline with age.

Egg freezing may still be considered in the late 30s or later, depending on ovarian reserve and individual circumstances. However, the expected chance of success may be lower.

The age at which the eggs are frozen is usually more important than the age at which they are later used. Once frozen, the eggs do not continue to age while they remain in storage.

There is no single number that guarantees a future pregnancy. The recommended number of mature eggs depends on several factors, including:

  • Age at the time of freezing
  • Ovarian reserve
  • Response to ovarian stimulation
  • Future family-building plans
  • Egg quality and laboratory outcomes

Some patients may need more than one stimulation and egg collection cycle to obtain a suitable number of mature eggs. This is sometimes referred to as egg pooling.

Your fertility specialist can provide an individual estimate after reviewing your test results and treatment response.

If you decide to use your frozen eggs in Cyprus, your fertility specialist will first review your medical history and prepare a personalised treatment plan.

Your frozen eggs are carefully thawed in our embryology laboratory and assessed for survival. The surviving mature eggs are then fertilised, usually using Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI). The resulting embryos are monitored for several days before the most suitable embryo is selected for transfer.

At Cyprus Hope Fertility, every stage of the treatment is tailored to your individual fertility needs to maximise the chance of a successful pregnancy.

 

No. Egg freezing preserves the opportunity to use younger eggs in the future, but it cannot guarantee pregnancy or a live birth.

Success depends on several important factors, including:

  • Your age when the eggs were frozen
  • The number of mature eggs stored
  • Egg survival after thawing
  • Fertilisation and embryo development
  • Sperm quality
  • Uterine health
  • Your overall reproductive health

During your consultation at Cyprus Hope Fertility, our specialists will provide an individual assessment of your expected success based on your medical history and fertility profile.

Yes. In many cases, frozen eggs, sperm and embryos can be safely transported between licensed fertility clinics using specialised cryogenic transport services.

If you already have frozen embryos or eggs stored in another country, our team can guide you through the transfer process to Cyprus, subject to medical assessment, documentation requirements and the regulations of both countries.

Cyprus has become one of Europe’s leading destinations for fertility preservation thanks to its experienced fertility specialists, advanced embryology laboratories and modern vitrification technology.

At Cyprus Hope Fertility, we provide personalised treatment plans, international patient support and high laboratory standards to help patients preserve their fertility with confidence. Our experienced team supports patients from consultation through storage and future treatment, making fertility preservation in Cyprus a convenient option for both local and international patients.

Cryopreservation (freezing) of Egg/Sperm and Embryos