For many couples and individuals going through fertility treatments like IVF, embryo storage is an important step in the process. It offers flexibility, peace of mind, and a second chance if the first IVF cycle does not work.
In this blog, we’ll explain everything you need to know about Embryo Storage, how long embryos can be stored, the success rate of using frozen embryos, and what it may cost you. The goal is to keep things easy to understand and helpful for anyone considering this option.
What Is Embryo Storage?
Embryo storage is a process in which the embryos are frozen and preserved so that they can be used in the future. After IVF, any extra embryo that is not used during the first cycle is often frozen and stored in special labs. This process is also called embryo freezing or cryopreservation. This process is very helpful as it saves a lot of time. Moreover, couples can lower their costs and avoid going through another full IVF cycle from scratch.
In addition, embryo storage is useful for people who may want to delay pregnancy for personal, medical, or career reasons.
IVF Embryo Storage Duration: How Long Can Embryos Be Stored?
One of the most common questions is: How long can embryos be stored?
The answer is – a long time. Most fertility clinics allow embryo storage for 5 to 10 years, and sometimes even longer with special approval. In fact, frozen embryos have been successfully used after being stored for 15 to 20 years in some cases.
Therefore, the length of storage depends on local laws, clinic policies, and your personal plans. It’s important to discuss your long-term fertility goals with your doctor.
Frozen Embryo Transfer: How It Works
A Frozen Embryo Transfer (FET) is the process of using one of the stored embryos in a later IVF cycle. Instead of creating new embryos, your doctor simply thaws a frozen one and places it into your uterus.
This method is less invasive and more affordable compared to a full IVF cycle. Moreover, the body often responds better during a FET cycle because it’s less stressed by medications and hormone injections.
What’s the Success Rate of Using Frozen Embryos?
Many people worry that frozen embryos may not work as well as fresh ones. But thanks to new freezing techniques like vitrification, the success rate of frozen embryo transfers is now very high.
In fact, some studies show that FET success rates are equal to or even higher than fresh embryo transfers. This is because doctors can better time the transfer with the woman’s natural cycle, thereby improving results.
On average, the success rate can range from 40% to 60% per cycle, depending on age, embryo quality, and other health factors.
How Much Does Embryo Storage Cost?
Now let’s talk about cost. Embryo storage cost usually has two parts:
- Initial freezing cost – This is charged when the embryos are first frozen. It may range between PKR 50,000 to PKR 100,000, depending on the clinic.
- Yearly storage fee – Clinics charge a small fee every year to keep your embryos safe. This can be around PKR 50,000 per year.
Some clinics may offer packages that include a few years of storage at a fixed rate. Therefore, it’s important to ask about the full cost upfront, including what happens if you want to extend storage after a few years.
Who Should Consider Embryo Freezing?
Embryo freezing is not just for couples going through IVF. Many people choose to freeze embryos for other reasons:
- Women with medical conditions (like cancer) who want to preserve fertility before treatment.
- Couples who want more children in the future but not right away.
- People using donor eggs or sperm and want to prepare multiple embryos.
- Individuals going through gender transition who want future family planning options.
Moreover, it’s a useful option for those who may face age-related fertility decline.
Is Embryo Storage Safe?
Yes, embryo storage is safe and widely used around the world. The reason is that Embryos are kept in special tanks with liquid nitrogen at very low temperatures. This allows them to stay in a “paused” state until they are ready to be used.
Furthermore, embryos can be tested for genetic conditions before freezing. This step will eventually improve the chances of a healthy pregnancy later on.
Final Thoughts
Conclusively, we can state that embryo storage is one of the smartest ways to plan for parenthood in the future. So if you aim to go for IVF but are facing certain medical issues, then freezing your embryos can offer you many benefits. With a frozen embryo transfer, you can have another chance at pregnancy. This technology offers a high success rate and safe storage system. However, talking to a doctor is imperative before you plan ahead. So do not take this lightly. Go for the best IVF centre, such as Njinsky IVF centre in Lahore, Pakistan.