Guide to IVF in the US and Mexico: How Long Can Sperm, Eggs, and Embryos Be Preserved?

2025-11-04 11:17:17，浏览量： 1次

 

When planning for IVF or egg freezing in the US or Mexico, a common question is: how long can frozen sperm, eggs, or embryos be safely stored? With advances in assisted reproductive technology, cryopreservation not only extends the window for starting a family but also allows more flexibility in future family planning. Dr. Nathan Zhang, founder of IVF USA and a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, offers professional insights on this topic.

 

Dr. Zhang points out that frozen sperm can be preserved for very long periods, with successful cases exceeding 20 years while maintaining good viability. Frozen embryos generally remain stable for 10 to 15 years, retaining high survival and implantation rates. Eggs, being a relatively newer technology, have a mainstream safe preservation period of around 5 to 8 years, although data continue to evolve as techniques improve.

 

Clinically, Dr. Zhang recommends that when conditions allow, freezing embryos is usually the more reliable choice. Eggs are more vulnerable during the thawing process, whereas embryos, having undergone fertilization and early development, tolerate low temperatures more effectively. For women who wish to delay pregnancy or cannot conceive immediately for health reasons, frozen embryos provide a more dependable path to future parenthood.

 

A real-life example underscores this point: a cancer patient froze sperm prior to chemotherapy and, 21 years later, successfully welcomed a healthy baby via IVF. This case demonstrates that as long as freezing and storage are conducted under proper conditions, long-term preservation of both sperm and embryos is feasible.

 

For women over 38, Dr. Zhang emphasizes that the risk of chromosomal abnormalities rises significantly with age. Using frozen embryos in combination with IVF-PGT screening allows selection of chromosomally normal embryos before transfer, greatly increasing the likelihood of pregnancy and healthy birth outcomes. This approach is particularly suitable for women pursuing advanced-age IVF treatment in the US or Mexico.

 

In recent years, vitrification technology has revolutionized cryopreservation. By rapidly cooling eggs and embryos to extremely low temperatures, the formation of ice crystals that could damage cells is minimized, significantly improving survival rates. Thanks to this advancement, successful pregnancies after more than ten years of storage are now possible, further enhancing the safety and success of US and Mexico IVF and egg freezing programs.

Dr. Nathan Zhang’s IVF USA team has provided overseas assisted reproductive consulting for over a decade, offering services including US egg freezing, US IVF, and third-party reproduction. With nearly 20 years of experience in international reproductive medicine, IVF USA has established a presence in Mexico as the Chinese representative for Power Fertility Center (POWER IVF) and has expanded services to Japan, Thailand, Taiwan, and Hong Kong. Whether planning for pregnancy now or seeking to delay it safely, individuals can rely on evidence-based solutions and professional guidance to find a pace that fits their life.