LCRH
Egg Freezing
Fertility Pathways
LCRH is passionate about enabling, supporting and educating women about preserving their fertility with egg freezing.
Egg freezing is a method of storing a woman’s unfertilised eggs, with a view to them being used in the future. It is a way to try to preserve the potential for fertility with one’s own eggs. This is valuable for women who are not ready to become pregnant for social or career choices such as professional sport. In addition where fertility is at risk for health reasons.
The ideal age for egg freezing is typically in a woman's 20s to early 30s, with before 36 being our recommendation, because egg quality and quantity decline with age, significantly increasing after the mid-30s. Freezing eggs when you are younger increases the likelihood of a successful future pregnancy from those eggs. While it is possible to freeze eggs at older ages, success rates are lower, and more eggs may be needed to achieve a live birth.
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Egg vitrification is an oocyte cryopreservation technique that involves ultra-rapid cooling to prevent ice crystal formation, which can damage cells. It uses high-concentration cryoprotectant solutions to dehydrate the egg, then immerses it in liquid nitrogen at -196°C. This process transforms the egg into a glass-like, solid state, preserving its cellular integrity and increasing survival rates upon thawing for future use in fertility treatment.
The glass-like state prevents the formation of ice crystals that would normally destroy the cell during slower freezing methods. This was a problem that sometimes impacted historical egg freezing.
Vitrification significantly improves the chances of the eggs surviving and remaining viable after thawing compared to previous techniques. The current survival rate is over 90%.
Eggs can remain vitrified for extended periods without losing their quality or reproductive capacity.
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Egg freezing is very similar to IVF in terms of preparation the difference being that once eggs are collected, the mature ones are frozen unfertilised.
There are a few steps involved in this process, but the time from a baseline scan (day 1 of your cycle) to an egg collection is usually about 14 days.
Stimulating the ovaries
Control of ovulation
Egg collection
Freezing of oocytes
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This is normally achieved with a hormonal injection called FSH (follicle stimulating hormone). This is the hormone that usually drives the production of a follicle in the normal menstrual cycle. Sometimes some preparations are used that also contain a hormone called LH (luteinising hormone). These injections are given daily as a subcutaneous injection.
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Once follicles reach a certain size in the menstrual cycle (usually around 17mm or above) then a surge of LH hormone will normally occur allowing the release of an egg to take place. For egg freezing treatment eggs needs to be collected so it is necessary to control this process by stopping the release of LH. This is achieved either by drugs such as Fyremadel or Cetrotide.
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As the ovaries are being stimulated with FSH injections the response to this medication is being measured by ultrasound scans and blood tests. Once there are sufficient follicles of large enough size a trigger injection is given. A trigger injection for egg collection is a hormone shot that mimics the body's natural surge, prompting the final maturation of the eggs and preparing them to be released from the follicles in the ovaries. The injection is given at a precise time, usually about 36-40 hours before the scheduled egg retrieval, to ensure the eggs are fully mature and ready for collection before they ovulate naturally.
Egg collection is done transvaginally in much the same way as a transvaginal scan. The procedure normally takes up to 30 minutes. Egg collection typically uses moderate conscious sedation, administered by an anaesthetist, which involves a painkiller and a sedative. This allows for a quick recovery where you can eat and drink before going home. If you have had any form of sedation, your ability to make decisions may be impaired and although you may feel very well in yourself, you should not drive or make any important decisions.
You also need to have someone with you for 24 hours after any anaesthetic procedure to look after you in case you have any reaction to the anaesthetic, or drop in your blood pressure and feel faint. This can be your partner, relative or friend and they should contact the clinic if they have any concerns or worries.
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Any mature eggs collected are frozen by a process called vitrification shortly after egg collection
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Once vitrified, eggs may be stored for any period up to a maximum of 55 years from the date they are first placed in storage. However, you will need to renew your consent every 10 years, therefore, you must keep your contact details up to date with us.
“Dr Chapman is incredibly hands on and available and you always see the same team members, which is incredibly reassuring when you're feeling at your most vulnerable.”
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Patient Reviews
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LCRH London Fertility Clinic for Egg Freezing
LCRH London is our flagship London clinic. Located in the medical heartland of Marylebone, at number 9 Wimpole Street.
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![LCRH Beaconsfield Fertility Clinic for Egg Freezing]()
Beaconsfield
Our Beaconsfield clinic is located at The Define Clinic, a purpose built high standard medical facility in the heart of Beaconsfield.
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![LCRH Tunbridge Wells Fertility Clinic for Egg Freezing]()
Tunbridge Wells
LCRH Tunbridge Wells is located within The Amara Clinic, a peaceful, private, and female focused clinical medical space.
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![LCRH London at Lister Fertility Clinic for Egg Freezing]()
Lister Fertility Clinic
London’s Lister Fertility Clinic is a key Laboratory Partner for Dr Chapman & Dr Dear for LCRH Patient Egg Collections and Embryo Transfers.
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![LCRH London at Aria Fertility Clinic for Egg Freezing]()
Aria Fertility Clinic
Aria Fertility Clinic is an LCRH Licensed Laboratory Facility Partner for LCRH Patient Egg Collections and Embryo Transfers in London.
The LCRH Difference
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LCRH is 100% founder-owned by Dr Lynne Chapman. Independence from private equity or large corporate ownership gives her small team of experts unconstrained focus on meeting patient needs. Your unique body means your unique informed care.
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LCRH patients receive a dedicated care team of Consultant, Nurse, and Admin. Your team stays with you throughout your treatment, is continuously updated with developments in your care, and is contactable throughout.
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Fertility treatment pathways can be long and complex. Fertility treatment pricing must be clearly articulated upfront, transparent and flexible. To the greatest degree possible, we aim to meet these needs through detailed bespoke quotes, FAQs and an easily accessible finance team.
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We work with a selection of the UK’s most established and respected complementary fertility therapists including dieticians, acupuncturists and coaches.
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Dr Chapman is a passionate believer that all families are perfect in their own way. For many of our patients the journey to a family involves egg and/or sperm donation. LCRH provides access to and co-ordinates closely with both UK and overseas donor banks and treatment facilities.
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Dr Chapman and her team have extensive expertise in helping those with previously failed IVF cycles, low ovarian reserves, recurrent pregnancy loss, PCOS, endometriosis, fibroids, and male-factor fertility issues.
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LCRH works in collaboration with leading HFEA licensed laboratories, and foremost multidisciplinary teams including andrology, surgery, medical and obstetrics.
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We understand how confusing and stressful trying to conceive can feel. We provide support at every step of the journey. We work closely with highly experienced counsellors throughout.
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50% of the contribution means 50% of the focus. LCRH is a leader in the research and analysis of male factor fertility. From simple semen analysis and culture to ZyMot, advanced DNA fragmentation testing and surgical sperm retrievals; LCRH works with world renown urologists and andrologists to provide the best possible outcomes.
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LCRH extends a compassionate and diversity-positive approach to all. We offer a welcoming smile and the full range of treatment options for all versions of the modern family.
To learn more, book a consultation, or schedule an informal chat about your personal situation with an experienced member of our admin team please use the link below. You can also reach us by phone and WhatsApp.