Egg Freezing 101: What to Know Before You Decide

Maybe you’re not ready for kids right now. Or you’re not sure you want them at all. Or you’ve always known you want to be a parent, but just not yet. Whatever your reason, if you’ve found yourself wondering about egg freezing, you’re not alone.

Egg freezing (also called oocyte cryopreservation) has become a more widely known option in the last decade. And while it isn’t a guarantee, it can offer peace of mind, and time.

What Is Egg Freezing, Exactly?

Egg freezing is a process where your eggs are retrieved, frozen, and stored for future use. If you choose to use them later, they can be thawed, fertilised with sperm (typically through IVF), and transferred to your uterus (or a surrogate's) to try for pregnancy.

The eggs are frozen unfertilised, which means this isn’t about preserving embryos, it’s just about preserving your own eggs at their current quality.

How Does the Process Work?

Here’s a rough outline of what’s involved:

1. Initial Consultation and Testing

You’ll speak with a fertility specialist and undergo tests to check your ovarian reserve (like AMH levels and an ultrasound to count follicles).

2. Ovarian Stimulation

For about 10–14 days, you’ll give yourself daily hormone injections to stimulate your ovaries to produce more eggs than usual.

3. Monitoring

Frequent blood tests and ultrasounds track how your follicles (which contain the eggs) are developing.

4. Egg Retrieval

Once the eggs are ready, you’ll have a short procedure under sedation to collect them. Most people go home the same day.

5. Freezing and Storage

The mature eggs are flash-frozen using a process called vitrification and stored in a secure facility until you decide to use them, or not.

Who is Egg Freezing For?

There’s no one-size-fits-all profile, but egg freezing may be worth considering if:

• You want kids someday, but aren’t ready yet (due to career, personal goals, or life circumstances).

• You’re in your early to mid-30s and want to keep your options open.

• You’re facing medical treatment (like chemotherapy) that might affect fertility.

• You have a family history of early menopause or fertility issues.

• You’re going through a major life transition, like a breakup, relocation, or personal health journey, and aren’t sure what your timeline looks like.

Egg freezing is also an option for transgender people who want to preserve fertility before starting hormone therapy or undergoing gender-affirming surgery.

What About Age and Success Rates?

Age is a big factor when it comes to egg freezing, and future pregnancy.

• Under 35: Eggs tend to be healthier, and more are usually retrieved in one cycle. Success rates for future pregnancy are highest in this group.

• 35–38: Still a good window, though egg quantity and quality begin to decline.

• Over 38: Possible, but fewer eggs may be retrieved, and chances of a successful pregnancy from frozen eggs drop.

On average, you might need around 15–20 mature eggs frozen to have a strong chance of one live birth later. That often means more than one cycle, depending on your age and response to stimulation.

Further Reading: How Pregnancy Affects Your Body and Mind

How Much Does it Cost?

It varies by clinic and country, but here’s a rough breakdown (based on UK private clinic pricing):

• One egg freezing cycle: £3,000–£5,000

• Medication (per cycle): £500–£1,500

• Storage (annually): £200–£400

• Future IVF costs: separate and additional (typically £3,000–£6,000)

Some clinics offer packages or payment plans. In rare cases, NHS funding may be available, for example, for medical egg freezing due to cancer treatment.

What Are the Physical and Emotional Considerations?

The Physical Side:

• Hormone injections can cause bloating, mood swings, and discomfort.

• There’s a small risk of Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome (OHSS), where ovaries become swollen and painful.

• The retrieval process is minor surgery, but recovery is usually quick.

Read More: Exercising Safely and Confidently During Pregnancy

The Emotional Side:

• It can be empowering to feel like you’re taking control of your future, but also overwhelming.

• Some people feel relief, others feel unsure. It’s normal to experience a mix of emotions, including hope, grief, or even guilt.

• There’s also the uncertainty of “what if I never need them?” or “what if they don’t work?”, and those are valid questions.

Consider talking with a counsellor or fertility therapist if you need support through the decision-making process.

Important Realities to Keep in Mind

• Egg freezing is not an insurance policy. It’s a tool that can improve your odds, not guarantee a future pregnancy.

• Not all eggs survive the thaw. And not all fertilised eggs become embryos that lead to pregnancy.

• Some people never use their eggs. Sometimes just having them there is enough.

Egg freezing is a personal decision. It’s not right for everyone, but for some, it offers hope, options, and space to breathe. The most important thing? Making the choice on your own terms, with full information, no pressure, and support along the way.

Whether you’re ready to book a consultation or just gathering info, you deserve clarity and compassion. Take your time. Ask questions. This is your timeline, not anyone else’s.