Only about 10 per cent of women who freeze healthy egg cells for later use return to retrieve them, even though such treatment costs about 3,000 euros. That is the conclusion of research conducted by the Dutch news website NU.nl.
Women use the possibility to store egg cells in a freezer, for example, when they have to undergo cancer treatments or when they age but feel not ready to start a family yet. Most of them are single, NU.nl reports.
The news website conducted research among several hospitals and a private clinic. It concluded that only 10 per cent came back to use their frozen egg cells. A hospital in the Dutch province Groningen only treats women who have a medical reason for storing their egg cells. It says that about 10 per cent returns. Private Clinic TFP Medisch Centrum Kinderwens receives women without medical indication. It stores the cells of 394 women. Of them, 35 per cent returned to use their egg cells.
Up to 50 years old
However, TFP doctor Nicole Beckers says to NU.nl that this low number is partly explainable because the treatment is relatively new. Many women take several years before they want to use their egg cells. Beckers expects that about 25 per cent of the women will ultimately make use of their frozen egg cells.
The Erasmus Medical Centre in Rotterdam allows women up to 50 years old to make use of their frozen egg cells. Gynaecologist in training Eva Balkenende tells NU.nl that the average age of women who want to store the cells before they are too old is 36.8 years. She, too, expects that the number of women who return to use their egg cells will increase.
Pregnant in a natural way
Balkenende explains that many women do not return because they get pregnant naturally. From research she conducted, she concludes that about 75 per cent of the women get pregnant without using the frozen egg cells.
