What nobody tells you about the freezing of the oocytes (and on how to do it)

Published on 29 October 2021

From 29 September 2021, the new Bioethics law has officially entered into force. If we talked a lot about PMA for women in a lesbian couple or single women and its difficult implementation, we have seen very important information in the media: the French – from 29 to 37 years – now we have the right to freeze their oocytes without medical reason.

Self-municipal with oocytes: what is it?

This technique consists in freezing the oocytes of “quality” by vitrification (very rapid freezing) and of being able to consider a pregnancy later and therefore more serenely – without pressure linked to the organic clock – using in vitro fertilization (in vitro fertilization), currently considered appropriate. Women can therefore have access to their oocytes up to 45.

The system is now completely refunded from social security. Only storage costs will be billed in the tank, or 45 euros per year.

Previously, women had access to this crigital for two reasons: they were gamete donors or had received treatment to alter their fertility. They could also benefit from it in case of severe endometriosis, for example.

This measure was scheduled for a long time and many women went abroad (especially in Belgium or Spain, where it costs an average of 4,000 and 8,000 euros). This includes intervention, transport and homes in particular.

The journalist Myriam Levain had written a book, And when are you?Intimate and engaged account on the subject, describing his journey to freeze his oocytes in Spain.

All women will therefore be able to use this practice that allows you to release the pressure on the biological clock and to choose the ideal time for its pregnancy – In France.

Men can also freeze their gametes (sperm), even if they are a little less subject to the drop in fertility. The ovarian reserve decreases strongly in women from 35 And drastically for 40 years. For the philosopher Camille Cold-Metterie, in his book Women’s body :::

“The authorization of the vitrification of the oocytes is to support the process of homogenization of female and male conditions is to allow women to finally become men like others.

Participation significantly exceeds the satisfaction of the desire of the single child, it is a political question. The opening of the procreative possibilities is a logic to deepen the dynamics of emancipation on its egalitarian side. »» »

According to Professor Michaël Grynberg, gynecologist-obsteteral specialized in reproductive medicine, this authorization took time to arrive. Explains to Madmoizelle :::

“A long time has passed since it should have been set. Freez of oocytes has been checked for several years. […] Unfortunately, women have a decrease in fertility over the years, we do not know how to improve the quality of the eggs of a woman who therefore ages the only thing you have in your hand is freezing time with the freezing of oocytes, fortunately. »» »

Why freeze his oocytes?

This possibility can ultimately affect many women, regardless of whether they are sure they have a child’s desire one day. Myriam Levain expresses it as follows:

“” Encourage all women who feel anxious Maternity pressure In 30 and 35 years to take the big step, because it is an opportunity to be able to do it. When you do it before 35 years, the oocytes are of good quality, often it is not necessary to do it several times. »» »

It is necessary, he says, “Informs women without making them feel guilty”.

Women who use it can be waiting for a stable couple, find the right person or the right time. This will also make life easier for people who don’t know if they want to have a child. This is the case of Monica, 36 years old, in a stable couple for 10 years, who have not yet done so No desire for a child. He recently started the steps in France and confided Madmoizelle :::

“I don’t know if one day I want to have a child, so you could also put the probability on my side if it happens.” “

Professionally, many things are played between 30 and 40 years old, but having a child must be compatible with a job. Maternity is a remarkable obstacle to career developments for women e First trap for equal salary Between women and men (part -Tempo, calendar for children, cars -colleation in the promotion request, etc.).

In the United States, Facebook and Apple have reimbursed the freezing of the oocytes since 2015 for those who want it. Companies should not try to carry out pressure on their employees in order to do children later, as feared in France the national ethical consultative committee, but does not seem very credible.

For Myriam Levain, they are the detractors who say that women who begin this approach want to encourage their career. In his opinion :::

“It is the society that is not made for women to be able to reconcile their motherhood project and their career because Everything was often played in the 1930s and that parenting is still too much about women. »» »

How to freeze your oocytes?

For this, you have to get a meeting In a non -profit public or private health plant, in a fertility conservation service; Perform exams to find out if all conditions are needed, in particular fertility; Subsequently there is a stimulation of injection for 10-15 days in order to increase the production of oocytes, with follow -up medical blood tests and ultrasound To determine the most suitable day for a drilling. This is practiced under general anesthesia in the hospital.

Requests flock to the services concerned and the deadlines can therefore be long. Professionals fear not to be able to respond to everyone, as Professor Grynberg tells us by phone:

“Trabocco requests. We cannot take them all, far from unfortunately. We release a hundred questionnaires every month. During the day, we have all the requests. There are no waiting lists not possible. There is a limited number of centers that are authorized to do so. Those who can do so are the centers that were already preserving fertility for medical reasons. »» »

Professionals also want to inform women who want to benefit from this advance that does not allow 100% to guarantee pregnancy using these frozen oocytes.

“A new chapter”

Myriam Levain asked the great historic Michelle Perrot for her book:

“This question is a great symbol of the place occupied by women on maternity,” he said. The fact they say today “I am a lover of my oocytes” completes the revolution that we have seen on the body of women for years. They discovered the freedom of their bodies with contraception and abortion, which allowed them to refuse motherhood. Now, the conservation of the oocytes opens a new chapter, this is the flap that was missing from the slogan “a child if I want, when I want” “to which we will be able to add” as I want “.” “

It is an approach that can alleviate, reassure and even use, as Myriam Levain says:

“” It is a very positive approach to women, you have the impression of not being more childish, to take your destiny in hand, not to suffer a situation, it is liberating, in this it is a real revolution. »» »

A revolution is therefore underway, but it is necessary to give hospitals the means to guide it. If you have a firm intention of taking the big step, it is better to go quickly.

Image of one: series Nobody teacherSeason 3 (© Netflix)