Freeze egg cells: women fight for their fertility in Austria!

Freeze egg cells: women fight for their fertility in Austria!
In Germany, the topic of “social egg freezing” is currently on everyone's lips, especially with regard to a possible change in the law. Egg cells can currently only be taken for medically supported pregnancies, which particularly affects women with oncological diseases that often become sterile after treatments. This was reported by the Kleine Zeitung . During a negotiation, Bettina Toth, director of the University Clinic for Gynecological Endocrinology and Reproductive Medicine, commented on the effects of this regulation on affected women.
An important point for discussion put up with lawyer Matthias Brand, who emphasized that "social egg freezing" had no disadvantages for women or their children. The price for egg removal is currently around 4,000 euros per cycle, while the annual storage costs are around 400 euros. In other European countries such as Spain, Sweden and Belgium, practice is already allowed, whereas the health insurance companies cover the costs in France.
social pressure and self -determination
The debate about "social egg freezing" is also a question of self -determination. Women should not be forced by social or professional expectations to postpone their desire to have children. The main reasons for women who want to freeze egg cells are the lack of a partner and the desire for reproductive autonomy, while professional reasons are only in third place. This was also highlighted by the Springer Medicine . Martina Zemp from the University of Vienna also called for better reconciliation of work and family as well as more resources for childcare.
The ethicist Angelika Walser recommended that an age limit between 45 and 50 years to minimize possible risks. Currently, egg cells may only be donated by women between the ages of 18 and 30. Prosecutor Peter Barth also advocated a maximum of the recipient. The Federal Government asked for a period of 18 months for legislative preparations if the law is repealed due to the ongoing negotiations.
clinical aspects and success quotas
Many young women consider freezing egg cells to extend their fertility. "Social Freezing" was originally developed for medical indications, but is also particularly popular with healthy women who have no partner and still feel a desire to have children. This development is discussed by the ARD alpha
The course of the egg cell freezing comprises several steps: First, hormone treatment takes place over 8 to 12 days to stimulate egg energy. Then the tire egg cells are removed and shocked at -196 degrees Celsius in the laboratory. The procedure usually takes about 30 minutes and takes place under anesthesia. Experts recommend that egg cells ideally freeze between 25 and 30 years, since fertility decreases from the age of 35.
The success rate of egg cells that are frozen before the age of 35 is up to 90 % of more than 24 frozen egg cells. In women aged 40 and over, the chance of pregnancy drops significantly. The financial aspects are not to be neglected: the treatment costs per cycle amount to around 4,000 euros, while the annual storage costs are between 200 and 300 euros. At the moment, health insurance companies only cover the costs for medical indications, but not for social freezing, which could initiate a discussion about government funding.
Overall, it remains to be seen how the legal framework in Germany will develop and what effects this will have on women who are planning a family. However, the decision of the Constitutional Court is not expected before autumn.
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