Egg Freezing – Preserving Fertility and Understanding the Odds

Egg freezing has rapidly gained traction as a way for women to preserve their fertility, offering more control over their reproductive timelines. Once primarily used by women undergoing medical treatments that could affect their fertility, it is now a widely chosen path for women balancing careers, relationships, and personal goals. This post explores the egg freezing process in detail, providing insights into success rates, costs, and the emotional aspects involved – all enriched with expert opinions and personal stories.

What is Egg Freezing?

Egg freezing, or oocyte cryopreservation, involves harvesting and freezing a woman’s eggs to preserve them for future use. When a woman decides to start a family, these eggs can be thawed, fertilized, and implanted through in vitro fertilization (IVF).

According to Dr. Emily Roberts, a fertility specialist at Bloom Fertility Center,

“Egg freezing is like pressing pause on your biological clock. It doesn’t guarantee a pregnancy, but it offers women more options as they age.”

The best outcomes are typically achieved when women freeze their eggs in their late 20s to early 30s, though women up to their early 40s are still eligible.

Why Are Women Freezing Their Eggs?

Women pursue egg freezing for a variety of reasons.

Career Advancement and Education – Women often delay childbearing to pursue career goals or higher education.
Delaying Parenthood – Some women have not yet found the right partner or aren’t ready for children.
Medical Conditions – Conditions like endometriosis, autoimmune diseases, or cancer treatments can threaten fertility.
Autonomy and Reproductive Freedom – Egg freezing allows women to take control of their reproductive health.

Sarah, a 34-year-old marketing executive, shares,

“I wanted to focus on building my career and traveling. Freezing my eggs meant I didn’t feel rushed into making decisions about parenthood.”

The Egg Freezing Process – Step by Step

The egg freezing process is intricate, requiring several weeks of preparation and medical oversight. Here’s a closer look at each stage:

1. Consultation and Testing

The journey begins with a fertility consultation. Blood tests and an ultrasound are conducted to assess ovarian reserve (the number of eggs remaining). Key markers include:

Anti-Müllerian Hormone (AMH) – Indicates the egg supply.
Antral Follicle Count (AFC) – An ultrasound measure of the small follicles that could develop into mature eggs.

Dr. Roberts explains,

“These tests give us a snapshot of fertility health. The results help tailor the treatment plan.”

2. Ovarian Stimulation

The next phase involves daily hormone injections for 10-14 days. These hormones stimulate the ovaries to produce multiple eggs, rather than the single egg usually released during a natural cycle.

Injections include follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH).
Patients are monitored frequently with blood tests and ultrasounds to track follicle growth.

Lisa, a 36-year-old tech professional, recalls,

“The injections were intimidating at first, but I got used to them. The ultrasounds became part of my routine.”

3. Egg Retrieval

Once the follicles reach the desired size (typically 18-22mm), a “trigger shot” (hCG injection) is given to mature the eggs. Egg retrieval happens 36 hours later.

This is a short, minimally invasive procedure performed under sedation.
A needle is guided through the vaginal wall to extract the eggs.

Patients can typically return to normal activities within a day.

4. Freezing and Storage

After retrieval, the eggs are frozen through vitrification, a rapid freezing technique that prevents ice crystals from forming.

“Vitrification significantly improved egg freezing success rates. It’s a game changer,” says Dr. Roberts.

The eggs are stored in liquid nitrogen at -196°C until the woman decides to use them.

Chances of Live Birth – By Age and Egg Count

Egg freezing is not a guarantee, but understanding probabilities can help manage expectations.

Probability of Live Birth Per Egg (Based on Age):

Under 35 – 8-12% chance per egg
Ages 35-37 – 6-8% chance per egg
Ages 38-40 – 5-6% chance per egg
Over 40 – 2-4% chance per egg

Cumulative Probability Based on Number of Eggs Frozen:

Age 30:
- 10 eggs – ~70% chance of at least one live birth
- 20 eggs – ~90% chance
Age 35:
- 10 eggs – ~50% chance
- 20 eggs – ~75% chance
Age 40:
- 10 eggs – ~30% chance
- 20 eggs – ~50% chance

Costs and Financial Considerations

Egg freezing can cost between $6,000 and $15,000 per cycle, excluding storage fees ($500-$1,000 annually). Some women require multiple cycles to collect enough eggs.

However, major employers like Google, Meta, and Apple are now offering egg freezing as part of employee benefits.

Lisa explains,

“I wouldn’t have done it without my company’s coverage. Fertility benefits make all the difference.”

Emotional and Psychological Aspects

Egg freezing can evoke a range of emotions – hope, anxiety, and relief. Support from loved ones and counseling can help.

Jessica, who froze her eggs at 39, reflects,

“It’s empowering but nerve-wracking. There’s no guarantee, but knowing I have options eases the pressure.”

Conclusion

Egg freezing offers an empowering path for women wanting to preserve fertility. Understanding the process, costs, and probabilities allows women to make confident, informed decisions. Whether for medical reasons, personal goals, or peace of mind, egg freezing is an invaluable tool in reproductive planning.

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CARE Fertility and Women’s Health is a leading fertility clinic, offering personalized care and advanced reproductive technology to help individuals and couples achieve their dream of parenthood. With state-of-the-art genetic testing, individualized treatment plans, and holistic support, we specialize in complex fertility cases and boast some of the highest success rates in Canada.

Stay Informed!