How Long Is Too Long? What the Science Says About Fertility Cryopreservation

The Effect of Long-Term Storage on Frozen Eggs, Embryos, and Sperm

Cryopreservation is a safe and effective way to safely freeze eggs, sperm, and embryos for years and even decades. There are two methods to freeze embryos: vitrification and slow freezing. Vitrification is the most common and effective method. The process involves adding a cryoprotective agent (CPA) to the tissues, which acts like antifreeze, protecting the cells from ice crystals. Then, the embryos are immediately placed into tanks of liquid nitrogen at -321° Fahrenheit.

As long as proper storage protocols are followed and you’re working with an experienced fertility team, reproductive tissues have no known expiration date. At HavenCryo, we offer cutting-edge cryopreservation technology and state-of-the-art storage. So whether you’re storing for a few years or a few decades, you can trust that we’ll keep your materials safe for as long as you need.

How Long Can Embryos Be Frozen?

It’s hard to believe that an embryo can be frozen and safely stored for years, but it’s completely possible due to vitrification and safeguards put in place by storage facilities. For example, in 2022, a couple had a child from a 30 year old frozen embryo. There have also been cases where parents have used 10 and 20 years old frozen embryos to have children. There is no maximum duration when embryos are stored under stable cryogenic conditions.

How Long Can Eggs Be Frozen?

Aspiring parents may choose to freeze their eggs for various reasons, and with vitrification, frozen eggs can be stored indefinitely. Similar to frozen embryos, successful pregnancies have occurred from eggs frozen for years and even over a decade. Pregnancy success with frozen eggs relies more on how young the eggs were at the time of freezing versus the duration of storage. Eggs decline in both quality and quantity as they age, so the younger you can freeze them, the better.

If you can’t use your eggs, you can use frozen donor eggs to grow your family. Many aspiring parents ask us how long can donor eggs be frozen, and the answer is that storage time and success rates are no different for donor versus non-donor eggs.

How Long Can Sperm Be Frozen?

Sperm is extremely durable when properly frozen, with success usage after 20 plus years of storage. In fact, sperm freezing has been used for decades, particularly in oncology and fertility preservation. When managed correctly, long-term sperm storage does not affect motility or fertility outcomes.

Is There a Risk in Long-Term Storage?

Like any medical procedure and technique, long-term egg, sperm, and embryo storage has risks. However, they’re fairly minimal. The risks lie more in the conditions of the storage facility rather than the passage of time. At HavenCryo, we specifically chose our location in an area with neutral weather conditions, minimizing the risks of natural disasters and power outages that could impact our storage facility. Additionally, we have backup systems in place in the case of an emergency. Our cryobanks are monitored 24/7, and everything is meticulously labelled and organized. Our infrastructure and location ensure reproductive tissues stay safe, viable, and ready when you need them.

Frequently Asked Questions

There is no conclusive expiration date for frozen eggs, sperm, and embryos, as long as they remain stored at proper cryogenic temperatures.

How to Get Started with Embryo Storage at HavenCryo

If you’re undergoing fertility treatment and have additional embryos left over or wish to delay transfer, consider storing them with HavenCryo. Our world-class storage services are safe and cost-effective, giving you the peace of mind you deserve while growing your family. Contact us today for more information or to get started.