News | Everything I wish I had known before deciding to freeze my eggs at 36
Before deciding to freeze her eggs at 36, British writer and editor Zing Tsjeng saw it as a technical choice that would provide "insurance for the future." After completing the process, however, she found that egg freezing was not a simple procedure but a demanding journey medically, financially, psychologically, and in terms of time.
Data from the UK Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) show that egg-freezing cycles increased by 170% between 2019 and 2023. The technology dates back to the 1980s and matured during the 2000s as vitrification became widespread. In recent years, celebrities sharing their experiences and some large companies subsidizing the cost for employees have further raised public interest.
Yet amid this attention, the medical realities and practical limitations of egg freezing are still easily overlooked.
Egg freezing is not an "alternative" but the first half of IVF
Medically known as oocyte cryopreservation, egg freezing closely mirrors in vitro fertilization (IVF). Hormones stimulate the ovaries to produce multiple follicles in one cycle. Once mature, the eggs are retrieved under anesthesia and frozen. To use them later, they must be thawed, fertilized, cultured into embryos, and transferred to the uterus.
Reproductive medicine specialists stress that choosing egg freezing means that if natural conception does not occur, IVF will almost certainly be required. It is not a separate shortcut.
Frozen eggs do not guarantee a future child
Professor Melanie Davies, senior consultant gynecologist in reproductive medicine at University College London Hospitals (UCLH), notes that eggs face several points of attrition: they may not tolerate freezing, may not survive thawing, may fail to fertilize, or an embryo may not implant after transfer.
Zeynep Gurtin, a lecturer at the UCL Institute for Women's Health, likewise says egg freezing should be viewed as adding an option, not guaranteeing an outcome. "It gives you another chance to become a parent using your own genetic material, but it does not promise success."
Success rates are hard to interpret; beware of excessive marketing
Because widespread egg freezing is relatively recent, a standalone "egg-freezing success rate" is difficult to obtain. Experts advise women choosing a clinic to focus on its live birth rate per embryo transfer and compare it with the national average.
Kayleigh Hartigan, CEO of fertility guidance platform Seen, warns that marketing based on phrases such as "guaranteed" or "you will regret not doing it" should be treated as a warning sign.
The time commitment is often underestimated and depends heavily on the individual cycle
In theory, one egg-freezing cycle takes about two weeks, but cancellations, inadequate response, and repeat attempts are common. Zing Tsjeng's first cycle was stopped because of a poor ovarian response, extending the process to nearly two months.
Women generally inject hormones daily for 8 to 11 days and attend frequent vaginal ultrasound scans to monitor follicle development. Most need to take time off work several times and rest on the day of egg retrieval and during recovery.
Age affects outcomes more directly than many expect
The American Society for Reproductive Medicine says there is no clear "best age" for egg freezing, but agrees that success is closely related to age at retrieval.
Estimates suggest that women aged 35 to 37 need to freeze about 15 eggs for roughly a 70% chance of one live birth; around age 37, the number may rise above 20. Experts also caution that fertility is not simply a numbers game: egg quality, the uterine environment, and other factors all influence the outcome.
Costs often exceed initial expectations
HFEA data show that the total cost of freezing eggs and later thawing and using them in the UK is typically £7,000 to £8,000. In practice, tests, scans, medications, and annual storage fees are often quoted separately.
Medication costs vary widely, typically ranging from £500 to £1,500. Some people who have undergone the process advise requesting a complete written quote in advance and allowing a substantial financial buffer.
Physical risks are low, but lifestyle adjustments are needed
Egg freezing is generally considered safe, and serious complications are uncommon. During ovarian stimulation, women are usually advised to avoid strenuous exercise to reduce the risk of ovarian torsion. Common symptoms include bloating, fatigue, and mood changes.
Egg retrieval is generally performed under sedation, takes about 30 minutes, and most patients can go home within a few hours.
Emotional changes are common, and support matters
Several women interviewed described anxiety about relationships, age, and the future during egg freezing. Experts recommend building emotional support alongside making medical decisions and staying in touch with family, friends, or others with similar experiences.
News | Everything I wish I had known before deciding to freeze my eggs at 36
News | Everything I wish I had known before deciding to freeze my eggs at 36
Before deciding to freeze her eggs at 36, British writer and editor Zing Tsjeng saw it as a technical choice that would provide "insurance for the future." After completing the process, however, she found that egg freezing was not a simple procedure but a demanding journey medically, financially, psychologically, and in terms of time.
Data from the UK Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) show that egg-freezing cycles increased by 170% between 2019 and 2023. The technology dates back to the 1980s and matured during the 2000s as vitrification became widespread. In recent years, celebrities sharing their experiences and some large companies subsidizing the cost for employees have further raised public interest.
Yet amid this attention, the medical realities and practical limitations of egg freezing are still easily overlooked.
Egg freezing is not an "alternative" but the first half of IVF
Medically known as oocyte cryopreservation, egg freezing closely mirrors in vitro fertilization (IVF). Hormones stimulate the ovaries to produce multiple follicles in one cycle. Once mature, the eggs are retrieved under anesthesia and frozen. To use them later, they must be thawed, fertilized, cultured into embryos, and transferred to the uterus.
Reproductive medicine specialists stress that choosing egg freezing means that if natural conception does not occur, IVF will almost certainly be required. It is not a separate shortcut.
Frozen eggs do not guarantee a future child
Professor Melanie Davies, senior consultant gynecologist in reproductive medicine at University College London Hospitals (UCLH), notes that eggs face several points of attrition: they may not tolerate freezing, may not survive thawing, may fail to fertilize, or an embryo may not implant after transfer.
Zeynep Gurtin, a lecturer at the UCL Institute for Women's Health, likewise says egg freezing should be viewed as adding an option, not guaranteeing an outcome. "It gives you another chance to become a parent using your own genetic material, but it does not promise success."
Success rates are hard to interpret; beware of excessive marketing
Because widespread egg freezing is relatively recent, a standalone "egg-freezing success rate" is difficult to obtain. Experts advise women choosing a clinic to focus on its live birth rate per embryo transfer and compare it with the national average.
Kayleigh Hartigan, CEO of fertility guidance platform Seen, warns that marketing based on phrases such as "guaranteed" or "you will regret not doing it" should be treated as a warning sign.
The time commitment is often underestimated and depends heavily on the individual cycle
In theory, one egg-freezing cycle takes about two weeks, but cancellations, inadequate response, and repeat attempts are common. Zing Tsjeng's first cycle was stopped because of a poor ovarian response, extending the process to nearly two months.
Women generally inject hormones daily for 8 to 11 days and attend frequent vaginal ultrasound scans to monitor follicle development. Most need to take time off work several times and rest on the day of egg retrieval and during recovery.
Age affects outcomes more directly than many expect
The American Society for Reproductive Medicine says there is no clear "best age" for egg freezing, but agrees that success is closely related to age at retrieval.
Estimates suggest that women aged 35 to 37 need to freeze about 15 eggs for roughly a 70% chance of one live birth; around age 37, the number may rise above 20. Experts also caution that fertility is not simply a numbers game: egg quality, the uterine environment, and other factors all influence the outcome.
Costs often exceed initial expectations
HFEA data show that the total cost of freezing eggs and later thawing and using them in the UK is typically £7,000 to £8,000. In practice, tests, scans, medications, and annual storage fees are often quoted separately.
Medication costs vary widely, typically ranging from £500 to £1,500. Some people who have undergone the process advise requesting a complete written quote in advance and allowing a substantial financial buffer.
Physical risks are low, but lifestyle adjustments are needed
Egg freezing is generally considered safe, and serious complications are uncommon. During ovarian stimulation, women are usually advised to avoid strenuous exercise to reduce the risk of ovarian torsion. Common symptoms include bloating, fatigue, and mood changes.
Egg retrieval is generally performed under sedation, takes about 30 minutes, and most patients can go home within a few hours.
Emotional changes are common, and support matters
Several women interviewed described anxiety about relationships, age, and the future during egg freezing. Experts recommend building emotional support alongside making medical decisions and staying in touch with family, friends, or others with similar experiences.
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