Navigating Life's Crossroads: What to Do with Frozen Egg Cells
The decision to freeze or cryopreserve egg cells is an empowering choice for many individuals. It offers a sense of reassurance for future family-building while allowing people to focus on personal or career aspirations. However, life is unpredictable, and circumstances can change. The original plans for frozen egg cells may need to be reevaluated. At such moments, a decision has to be made as to what to do with remaining egg cells. In this blog post, we'll explore the findings from a recent article titled, Elective egg freezers’ disposition decisions: a qualitative study.
In this study, individuals, who underwent elective egg freezing, were interviewed regarding their decisions on what to do with eggs they froze years ago. Disposition is the term used to describe what someone chooses to do with their eggs such as whether to discard, donate to another individual, or support medical research. In this study, the individuals are discussing their decisions for future, current, or past disposition.
The article interviewed 31 individuals and provided immense detail and quotes on the individuals' thought processes. When a person initially freezes their eggs, they often select one disposition option such as the plan to donate the eggs to a close relative, yet at the time they make their final decision, they change their disposition preference.
The reasons for this shift can be numerous. One reason may be the initial willingness to share eggs with a relative under the assumption that they would have had a genetically related child. However, during the final decision-making process, the absence of a genetically related child led the individual to fear potential resentment towards the relative if they were to conceive a child with her egg cells. Conversely, some individuals who did have a genetically related child might feel inclined to donate their eggs to a relative or an anonymous person as a gesture of reciprocity.
The article goes into other reasons and thoughts that the individuals have and can be a good way for others in this situation to evaluate their feelings towards disposition decisions such as potential feelings of grief and loss. FertilityIQ has a great video on embryo disposition which can have similar considerations as egg disposition.
Ultimately, It is reasonable to have plans change from the start of the journey of freezing eggs to when that journey is coming to an end. Below are some of the options that can be considered for egg cell disposition.
Continued Storage
If you're not ready to make a decision regarding your cryopreserved egg cells, continued storage can provide the flexibility you need. Many fertility clinics offer long-term storage options for cryopreserved eggs. This choice allows you to revisit your decision when you feel more certain about your future plans.
Donation for Family or Friend
For some, the thought of helping a loved one create a family can be deeply fulfilling. If you have a family member or close friend struggling with infertility, consider the option of donating your cryopreserved egg cells to them. This act of generosity can be a beautiful gift and may create a unique family bond.
Egg Donation for Others in Need
Donating your egg cells to someone you don't know can also be a remarkable act of compassion. There are many individuals and couples who dream of having a child but face fertility challenges. By becoming an egg donor, you offer hope and the possibility of parenthood to those in need. Empower with Moxi is an organization that assists with educating and the process of egg donation.
Support Medical Research
Cryopreserved egg cells can be valuable for scientific research aimed at understanding human fertility, reproductive health, and various medical conditions. By donating your eggs for research purposes, you contribute to advancements in medical science that can benefit countless individuals in the future.
Ethical Thawing and Disposal
If none of the above options resonate with you, thawing and disposing of your cryopreserved egg cells is a respectful decision. Acknowledge the emotions that may arise during this process, and consider seeking emotional support from friends, family, or a professional counselor.
Deciding what to do with cryopreserved egg cells when you're not planning to fertilize them can be a profound and emotional journey. It's crucial to remember that there is no one-size-fits-all answer, and the right choice depends on your unique circumstances and desires.
Resource:
Caughey, Lucy E et al. “Elective egg freezers' disposition decisions: a qualitative study.” Fertility and sterility vol. 120,1 (2023): 145-160. doi:10.1016/j.fertnstert.2023.02.022
* This blog constitutes general information about genetic testing and medical screening. This blog does not offer or provide medical advice or diagnosis, and nothing in this blog should be construed as medical advice or diagnosis. Do not rely on the information in this blog/article to make medical management decisions. Please consult with a medical professional before making those decisions. Do not delay in seeking professional medical advice if you think you have a medical concern. Do not disregard professional medical advice based on any information received in this blog.
