Egg freezing, or oocyte cryopreservation is a popular method of preserving a woman’s eggs for future use. It is often used by women who want to preserve their eggs at a younger age to use them when they are ready for childbearing.
COVID-19 is an infectious respiratory disease caused by a coronavirus. It first emerged in 201 and then spread globally, resulting in a pandemic that affected millions of people and caused significant social and economic disruption. Many women reported menstrual changes after contracting COVID-19, and the COVID-19 pandemic has raised concerns about the potential impact of the virus on egg freezing outcomes.
Most studies have not reported a significant impact of COVID-19 on ovarian reserve, or ovarian function.
There is limited research on the specific effects of COVID-19 on egg freezing outcomes. AMH (Anti-mullerian hormone) is a hormone produced by the ovarian follicles and used as a marker of ovarian reserve in women. While there are a few small studies that found decreased AMH after infection with COVID-19, most studies have not reported a significant impact of COVID-19 on ovarian reserve, or ovarian function. It is therefore safe to assume that you will likely have a similar number of eggs frozen whether or not you have had COVID-19 in the past (whew!).
You will likely have a similar number of eggs frozen whether or not you have had COVID-19 in the past.
Some scientists have found COVID-19 antibodies (but not the COVID-19 virus) in the follicular fluid, which is the fluid around the egg that is aspirated along with the egg at the time of egg retrieval for egg freezing and IVF. A few have even correlated those findings with decreased likelihood of eggs to develop into high-quality embryos. However, most studies conclude that previous COVID-19 infection does not seem to negatively affect laboratory and clinical outcomes of egg freezing and IVF.
Luckily, there is currently no recommended minimum required interval, if any, between COVID 19 recovery and undergoing egg freezing or fertility treatments, but most fertility centers will want to make sure you are healthy before having an egg retrieval.
The available evidence will continue to grow but for now, if you have had COVID-19, talk to your doctor to decide whether egg freezing is right for you.
Dr. Baruch Abittan is board certified in obstetrics and gynecology and board eligible in reproductive endocrinology and infertility. He is committed to bringing patients the highest level of care with cutting edge techniques and treatments and has developed and led research studies aimed at optimizing IVF success rates.
Learn more about Extend Fertility’s egg freezing practice on Freeze.
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