Egg freezing with PCOS

Diagnosed with breast cancer Recently diagnosed with breast cancer
1

Hello

Currently in the process of freezing eggs before surgery for breast cancer.

I have pcos, so currently have a high amount of follicles present - but often PCOS means the quality of the eggs is not that good. I will probably be able to do a second IVF round.
Without PCOS and using a online calculator tool, 15 frozen eggs give a 80% chance of one live birth and a 50% chance of two live births.

Has anyone on here done egg freezing with PCOS and what number of eggs did you freeze?

1 Like
2

Hi!

I went through egg freezing in november, I also have PCOS and i’m 29 just for reference.

I was told the same that either the egg quality may not be as good or the amount of mature eggs may be lower than the follicles.

On the day I had 40(!) eggs collected. Warned by consultant that low proportion were likely to be mature.

We actually had a really good result and 30 were mature. We decided to freeze 50% and the other 50% went for fertilisation. Of the 15 that went to fertilise we got 10 embryos from this. So in all we had a surprisingly positive result!

P.s they also were worried about be having hyper stimulation, so kept me on some of the injections for a few days after and added in some other tablets to down-regulate. This worked really well and I actually didn’t have any major symptoms. (just wanted to say as this was something I was really worried about!)

I hope this is helpful for you xx

3

Hello,

I’m sorry to hear about your situation, and I appreciate your proactive approach to freezing eggs before surgery. Dealing with PCOS adds complexity to the process. While I can’t provide personal experiences, I can offer some general insights.

Egg freezing outcomes can vary widely based on several factors, including the woman’s age, overall health, and the specific circumstances of PCOS. PCOS can indeed lead to a higher number of follicles, but as you mentioned, the quality of the eggs might be a consideration.

Here are some considerations and potential questions you might want to discuss with your healthcare team or others who have gone through a similar situation:

  1. Consultation with Fertility Specialist:
  • Have you consulted with a fertility specialist who has experience working with individuals with PCOS? They can provide personalized insights based on your medical history and current health status.
  1. PCOS Management:
  • How is your PCOS currently managed? Addressing PCOS symptoms and optimizing your overall health might positively influence the quality of eggs.
  1. Success Stories:
  • Consider reaching out to online forums or support groups where individuals share their experiences with egg freezing, especially those with PCOS. Hearing others’ journeys can provide valuable insights and support.
  1. Fertility Clinic Guidance:
  • Your fertility clinic can guide you on the optimal number of eggs to freeze based on your specific situation. They may consider factors like age, PCOS, and overall health.
  1. Potential for Second IVF Round:
  • Given your likelihood for a second IVF round, discuss with your healthcare team how this may impact your overall chances of success.

Remember that fertility treatments are highly individual, and success rates can vary. Seeking guidance from your healthcare professionals and connecting with others who have faced similar circumstances can provide valuable support and information during this process.