The condition occurs in about one percent of women who undergo egg freezing and is more common in those with polycystic ovary syndrome, as PCOS can increase the risk of developing too many follicles, which in turn can cause ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome, said Dr. Christianson.
Women who freeze their eggs at a younger age, in their early 20s, are also at greater risk, Dr. Christianson said, because larger egg stores are a risk factor for overstimulation. The more eggs a woman has, the more likely the medications she takes before egg retrieval will stimulate a large number of ovarian follicles.
Doctors can monitor patients carefully and reduce the risk of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome, but anyone considering egg freezing should be aware of the danger of the disease, Dr. Christianson said.
How much does egg freezing cost?
Costs vary from fertility center to fertility center, but in general, a single cycle of egg freezing, including ultrasound monitoring and doctor supervision, can cost between $4,500 and $8,000. , said Dr. Christianson. Patients typically complete one or two cycles, she added. Insurance coverage may vary depending on the type of plan the patient has.
The injectable drug, separately, costs between $4,000 and $6,000 per cycle, she said, depending on how much drug the patient needs.
Egg storage is an additional cost – it can add up to over $500 per year.
Who is a candidate for egg freezing?
Egg freezing is no longer an experimental treatment, but neither is it a panacea for fertility. A study of more than 500 women, published this summer, found that the overall chance of a live birth from frozen eggs was 39%. The results also suggest that age and egg quantity contributed to success rates: if a woman was under 38 or thawed more than 20 eggs, her odds increased significantly. Guidelines from the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists state that there is not enough research to support egg freezing just to delay the birth of a child.
Some experts, however, have said that anyone at risk of age-related infertility could be a candidate. Other people who might seek out the procedure are those who are about to undergo chemotherapy, which could affect the ovaries, or people who identify as transgender or non-binary and are considering gender-affirming hormones, said Dr Adeleye.
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