Gelisim News

Egg freezing is significant for women undergoing cancer treatment

We often hear about the importance of egg reserves in women who desire to have children. Gynecologist Asst. Prof. Dr. Ayşe Konaç stated that the detection of decreases in egg reserve is learned by looking at some hormones in the blood, and added today, with the advancement of gestational age, women tend to freeze their eggs.

About 1 million potential eggs (follicles) are present in the ovaries of newborn girls. When adolescence begins, these egg candidates are chosen one by one each month, and menstrual bleeding is consistently observed as a result of the methodical and coordinated functioning of the hormones in a specific order. The cycle starts and ends with menopause if there is no interruption in the release of hormones. If there is a disruption, the cycle continues until the follicular reserves in the eggs are depleted. Infertility occurs if, for a variety of reasons, these reserves decline during the menstrual cycle and monthly irregularity starts.

EGG RESERVE DECREASES WITH AGE

Egg reserve means the number, quality and sufficiency of follicles (egg-producing) in the eggs. Asst. Prof. Dr. Ayşe Konaç, Gynecology from Istanbul Gelisim University, Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Nursing stated the following:  “These reserves naturally start to decrease as a woman gets older. To identify decreases in egg reserve, certain hormones are examined in the blood. Ultrasonography is used to count the egg candidates within the eggs. Of course, we also evaluate the patient's general state of health since it is equally vital. The greater involvement of women in business, the raising of the marrying age, and the fast-paced nature of modern employment have all contributed to advancement in the gestational age.’’

DEMAND FOR EGG FREEZING HAS INCREASED

Advances and innovations in medicine increase the demand of women, who are faced with the threat of declining egg reserves, for cryopreservation of egg tissue and follicles in full-fledged hospitals. Dr. Konaç also added the following:
“The freezing of eggs is very significant in patients undergoing treatment for ovarian and uterine cancer. Otherwise, particularly young patients are at risk of going into early menopause, and egg freezing is of great importance because of the possibility of not having children due to problems such as infertility. Egg freezing processes also have a certain period of time. The longer the wait, the lower the quality of the eggs or follicles and the chance of success. It is of great importance that these stored tissues are taken under appropriate conditions and properly.”