Egg freezing (oocyte cryopreservation) allows you to preserve eggs at their current quality for potential future use. Once considered experimental, it became a standard fertility preservation option in 2012 and has grown increasingly mainstream—especially among women in their early-to-mid thirties who aren't ready for children yet but want to extend their fertility window.
But egg freezing isn't a guarantee, and it's not right for everyone. This guide covers everything you need to make an informed decision: how it works, when to do it, realistic success rates, what it costs, and what factors should inform your choice.
Egg Freezing at a Glance
How Egg Freezing Works
Egg freezing uses the same stimulation and retrieval process as IVF, but instead of fertilizing eggs immediately, they're frozen for later use. Here's the step-by-step process:
Initial Consultation and Testing
You'll meet with a reproductive endocrinologist who will assess your ovarian reserve (AMH blood test and antral follicle count ultrasound) to estimate how many eggs you might produce. This helps set realistic expectations and plan your protocol.
Ovarian Stimulation (10-14 days)
Starting on day 2-3 of your menstrual cycle, you'll inject fertility medications (gonadotropins) daily to stimulate multiple eggs to develop instead of the usual single egg. You'll have monitoring appointments every 1-3 days for blood work and ultrasounds to track follicle growth.
Trigger Shot
When your follicles reach optimal size (typically 18-22mm), you'll take a "trigger shot" (hCG or GnRH agonist) to mature the eggs. Retrieval is scheduled 34-36 hours later.
Egg Retrieval
A 15-20 minute outpatient procedure under sedation. A needle guided by ultrasound passes through the vaginal wall to drain each follicle. You'll rest for an hour or two, then go home. Most women take 1-2 days off work. Mild cramping and bloating are normal.
Vitrification (Flash Freezing)
Mature eggs are frozen using vitrification—rapid freezing that prevents ice crystal formation. This technique has dramatically improved survival rates compared to older slow-freeze methods. Eggs can remain frozen indefinitely with no degradation.
Storage
Your eggs are stored in liquid nitrogen at -196°C. Annual storage fees apply (typically $300-800/year). You can store eggs at the freezing clinic or transfer to another facility.
The Ideal Age for Egg Freezing
This is the crucial question, and the answer has both biological and practical components:
Biologically: The Earlier, The Better
Eggs frozen at younger ages have higher quality, leading to better outcomes when eventually used. The data is clear:
| Age at Freezing | Live Birth Rate per Egg | Eggs Needed for ~70% Success |
|---|---|---|
| Under 30 | 8-10% | 10-12 eggs |
| 30-34 | 6-8% | 12-15 eggs |
| 35-37 | 4-6% | 15-20 eggs |
| 38-40 | 2-4% | 20-30+ eggs |
| 41-42 | 1-2% | 30-40+ eggs |
Note that "live birth rate per egg" accounts for the full journey: egg survival after thaw, successful fertilization, embryo development, implantation, and ongoing pregnancy.
Practically: 30-35 Is Often the "Sweet Spot"
While eggs at 25 are biologically superior to eggs at 32, most 25-year-olds:
- Don't yet know if they'll need the eggs (might meet someone and have kids naturally)
- May have less financial resources for the procedure
- Have many years before fertility becomes urgent
By 30-35, many women have more clarity about their life trajectory while still having good egg quality. This is why most fertility specialists consider the early-to-mid thirties an ideal time for elective egg freezing.
The Utilization Reality
Research shows that only about 10-20% of women who freeze eggs eventually use them. Many conceive naturally or with a partner, or decide not to have children. This doesn't mean freezing was a "waste"—it provided options and peace of mind during uncertain years.
After 38-40: Still Possible, But Less Effective
Freezing eggs at 38+ is still an option, but expectations need to be realistic:
- Fewer eggs typically retrieved per cycle
- Lower survival rates after thaw
- Higher chromosomal abnormality rates
- May need multiple cycles to bank enough eggs
- Still may be worth doing if you're not ready to try now and want any insurance
Egg Freezing Is Not a Guarantee
Even with a good number of frozen eggs, there's no guarantee of a baby. Some eggs don't survive thawing. Some don't fertilize. Some embryos don't implant. Freezing buys time and improves odds compared to using older fresh eggs—but it doesn't eliminate age-related fertility decline entirely.
How Many Eggs Should You Freeze?
The "magic number" depends on your age at freezing and how many children you might want:
| Age | For 1 Child (~70% chance) | For 2+ Children |
|---|---|---|
| Under 35 | 10-15 eggs | 20-25+ eggs |
| 35-37 | 15-20 eggs | 25-35+ eggs |
| 38-40 | 20-30 eggs | 40+ eggs |
Many women need multiple retrieval cycles to reach these numbers, especially at older ages or with lower ovarian reserve. A typical cycle yields 8-15 eggs for a woman under 38 with normal ovarian reserve.
Success Rates: Understanding the Numbers
Success rates for egg freezing are reported in various ways, which can be confusing. Here's how to interpret them:
Egg Survival Rate After Thaw
With modern vitrification, approximately 85-95% of frozen eggs survive thawing. This is a significant improvement from the 50-60% survival rates of older slow-freeze methods.
Fertilization Rate
Of surviving eggs, approximately 70-80% will fertilize with sperm (typically via ICSI, where sperm is injected directly into the egg).
Embryo Development Rate
Of fertilized eggs, approximately 30-50% will develop into blastocysts (day 5-6 embryos) suitable for transfer.
Cumulative Live Birth Rate
This is the number that matters most. According to a 2017 meta-analysis and subsequent data:
- 10 eggs frozen under 35: ~60-70% cumulative live birth rate
- 10 eggs frozen at 35-37: ~40-55% cumulative live birth rate
- 10 eggs frozen at 38-40: ~25-35% cumulative live birth rate
- 10 eggs frozen at 41+: ~10-20% cumulative live birth rate
Clinic-Specific Data Matters
Success rates vary significantly between clinics based on their laboratory quality, freezing techniques, and patient populations. Ask any clinic you're considering for their specific egg freezing outcomes, not just national averages.
The Cost of Egg Freezing
Egg freezing is a significant financial investment. Here's what to expect in the United States:
Typical Cost Breakdown (Per Cycle)
Medications: $3,000-$7,000 depending on dosing needed
Monitoring (bloodwork + ultrasounds): $500-$1,500
Egg retrieval procedure: $5,000-$10,000
Freezing and first-year storage: $500-$1,000
Total per cycle: $10,000-$18,000
Annual storage: $300-$800 per year
Future thaw/fertilization/transfer: Additional $3,000-$7,000 when you use the eggs
Many women need 2+ cycles to freeze adequate numbers of eggs, potentially doubling the upfront investment.
Financial Assistance Options
- Employer benefits: Many tech companies and large corporations now cover egg freezing (check if your employer offers this)
- Insurance: Rarely covers elective freezing, but may cover medical freezing (before cancer treatment, for example)
- Financing: Most clinics offer payment plans; third-party financing (like Prosper Healthcare Lending) available
- Multi-cycle discounts: Some clinics offer package pricing for 2-3 cycles
- Shared-risk programs: Some clinics offer refund guarantees if you don't achieve pregnancy
Who Should Consider Egg Freezing?
✓ Good Candidates
- Want children eventually but not ready now
- Single and haven't met the right partner
- In early-to-mid 30s with time concerns
- Have good ovarian reserve
- Can afford the investment
- Understand it's insurance, not guarantee
- Facing medical treatment (chemo, surgery) that may affect fertility
- Have family history of early menopause
✗ May Want to Reconsider
- Likely to try conceiving naturally within 1-2 years
- Already 42+ with diminished ovarian reserve
- Financial burden would cause significant stress
- Expecting it to guarantee future pregnancy
- Under 30 with no specific reason to freeze now
- Very low AMH/poor ovarian reserve (may not yield enough eggs)
The Decision-Making Process
Before committing to egg freezing, work through these considerations:
1. Assess Your Ovarian Reserve
Get AMH (anti-Müllerian hormone) testing and an antral follicle count. This tells you approximately how many eggs you might retrieve per cycle and whether egg freezing is likely to be worthwhile for your specific situation.
Modern Fertility Hormone Test
At-home test measuring AMH and other fertility hormones. A good starting point before investing in a full consultation. Results help you understand your ovarian reserve and timeline.
Check Current Price on Amazon →2. Consult with a Reproductive Endocrinologist
A specialist can review your test results, discuss realistic expectations, and help you understand what freezing can and can't do for your specific situation. Many consultations are covered by insurance even when the procedure isn't.
3. Calculate Your Likely Investment
Based on your age and ovarian reserve, estimate how many cycles you'd likely need to bank enough eggs. Factor in medications (which vary widely by dosing), storage fees, and eventual thaw/transfer costs.
4. Consider the Alternatives
- Embryo freezing: If you have a partner or want to use donor sperm, freezing embryos instead of eggs improves success rates (embryos freeze better than eggs)
- Trying now: If you're 38+, trying to conceive now (or soon) may give better odds than freezing and waiting
- Donor eggs later: If your own eggs at 40+ have low success rates anyway, using donor eggs later might be a viable alternative plan
5. Make Peace with Uncertainty
Egg freezing doesn't guarantee a baby. It improves your future options. If you're freezing eggs, do so knowing you might never need them (conceive naturally), or might use them and not succeed. The value is in having tried to preserve options during a window when they were available.
What Happens When You Use Frozen Eggs
When you're ready to use your frozen eggs (whether in 2 years or 15 years), the process involves:
- Thawing: Eggs are carefully warmed and assessed for survival
- Fertilization: Usually via ICSI (intracytoplasmic sperm injection) because the freezing process hardens the outer shell, making natural fertilization less reliable
- Embryo culture: Fertilized eggs develop in the lab for 5-6 days
- Transfer: One or more embryos are transferred to your uterus (after hormonal preparation to build your uterine lining)
- Pregnancy test: About 10-14 days after transfer
This process is essentially IVF, just using previously frozen eggs instead of fresh ones. Success depends on how many eggs you thaw, their original quality, and the normal variables of embryo development and implantation.
The Whole Life Fertility Plan by Kyra Phillips & Jamie Grifo, MD
A comprehensive guide to fertility planning that covers egg freezing decisions, IVF, and reproductive choices at every life stage. Written with one of the leading fertility specialists in the country.
Check Current Price on Amazon →The Bottom Line on Egg Freezing
Egg freezing is a powerful technology that can extend your fertility window—but it's not a magic solution. Here's what to remember:
- Timing matters: Freezing earlier (ideally early-to-mid 30s) yields better quality eggs and higher future success rates
- Numbers matter: Plan to freeze enough eggs for your goals (typically 10-20+ depending on age and family-building plans)
- It's insurance, not a guarantee: Even with good numbers, some women don't achieve pregnancy with frozen eggs
- The cost is significant: Budget for $15,000-$25,000+ total including potential multiple cycles and storage
- It buys time and options: The peace of mind of knowing you tried to preserve your fertility has value beyond pregnancy statistics
If you're considering egg freezing, start with ovarian reserve testing and a consultation with a reproductive endocrinologist. Understand your specific situation before making decisions based on general statistics. And remember: whatever you decide, you're making the best choice you can with the information available.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long can eggs be frozen?
Indefinitely. Eggs stored in liquid nitrogen at -196°C don't degrade over time. There are documented healthy births from eggs frozen for 10+ years. Your eggs' quality is determined by your age when you froze them, not how long they've been stored.
Is egg freezing painful?
The daily injections are uncomfortable but manageable—most women self-administer them. The retrieval procedure is done under sedation, so you won't feel it. Afterward, expect mild-to-moderate cramping and bloating for a few days. Most women return to normal activities within 1-2 days.
Will egg freezing affect my future fertility?
No. Egg retrieval doesn't "use up" eggs you would have otherwise had. Each month, many eggs begin developing but only one typically ovulates—the rest are reabsorbed. Stimulation medications save some of those eggs that would have been lost anyway. Your long-term fertility isn't affected.
What's the difference between freezing eggs and freezing embryos?
Eggs are frozen before fertilization; embryos are frozen after. Embryos have higher survival rates after thawing and better overall success rates. However, embryo freezing requires sperm (partner or donor) and raises questions about what happens to unused embryos. Eggs keep your reproductive options more flexible.
Can I freeze eggs if I have PCOS?
Yes, and women with PCOS often produce more eggs per cycle due to higher ovarian reserve. However, PCOS increases the risk of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS), so your protocol may be adjusted with lower medication doses and careful monitoring.
What happens if I never use my frozen eggs?
You can continue paying storage fees, stop payment and have them discarded, donate them to research, or in some programs, donate them to another woman. Many women who freeze eggs never use them (they conceive naturally or decide not to have children), and that's okay—the eggs served their purpose as insurance.
Is there an age limit for using frozen eggs?
No medical limit exists, but some clinics have policies about maternal age at transfer (often 50-55). Many states have no regulations. Your body can carry a pregnancy well past natural menopause with hormonal support. Discuss timing preferences with your clinic.
Medical Disclaimer
This article is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Egg freezing decisions are highly individual and depend on your specific ovarian reserve, age, health history, and personal circumstances. Consult with a reproductive endocrinologist for personalized guidance about whether egg freezing is appropriate for you.