What size follicle is “too large” to trigger for an egg freeze cycle? (Ask The Egg Whisperer)

I’m answering questions from a recent Ask The Egg Whisperer show. The first one I answer is from Leigh. Here’s what she asks, “I am wondering what size follicle you consider to be too large to trigger for an egg freeze cycle. If eggs are collected from very large follicles (23-30mm on day of trigger), and are deemed MII to be frozen - what is the risk of them being "overmature" at time of thawing/fertilization? Is there any drawback to allowing several follicles (~10) to get so large for the benefit of allowing a roughly equal amount to "catchup" to be closer to a desirable size?”

Here’s the short answer to Leigh’s question (and you can tune in to the episode to learn more):

Kind of like the IVF pyramid, there's also an egg freezing pyramid. 

You start the cycle with a number of small follicles. 

And you’ll have fewer larger follicles when you're ready to trigger.

And at the top of the pyramid, you have the number of mature eggs that you get at the end.

And that mature number is so important and egg freezers know this as well, because it's only mature eggs that can be turned into embryos. So, I would not be too worried about seeing some larger follicles  (going up to 24mm), if that means I can get some others to catch up. In that range, I don't get too worried about having over mature or over cooked eggs.

To submit your own question to Dr. Aimee for a future episode of Ask The Egg Whisperer, click here. 

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