In today’s world, women face a unique challenge: they’re expected to meet the same career demands as men, yet they have a much shorter window of peak fertility. Building a career, gaining financial stability, and finding the right partner can often reduce their chances of having children naturally.
Fortunately, egg freezing has emerged as a game-changer in recent years. As the technology has improved and the costs have dropped, women can now take control of their reproductive decisions like never before.
### How Egg Freezing Has Evolved
Egg freezing, or oocyte preservation, has been around for nearly three decades, but recent advancements have made the procedure much more effective. Initially, it was offered mainly to cancer patients or those with fertility issues, but it has since become a popular choice for women looking to preserve their fertility for social or personal reasons. Some companies, like Apple and Facebook, even cover the cost of egg freezing for their employees as a workplace benefit.
A major breakthrough in the process came with the development of vitrification, a flash-freezing technique that uses advanced cryoprotectants to protect eggs from ice crystal damage. This method has significantly improved the success rate compared to older, slower freezing techniques.
More women are taking advantage of these advancements, particularly since about 20% of women in the U.S. now have their first child at age 35 or older. Fertility begins to decline for many women in their mid-to-late 30s, with roughly one-third of women between 35 and 39 facing difficulties conceiving. By their early 40s, this number increases dramatically, and by 45, the likelihood of natural conception drops to just 1%. Egg freezing offers these women a chance to preserve their options without feeling forced to choose between a career and starting a family.
### The Egg Freezing Process
Freezing human eggs isn’t simple because they are fragile and contain a lot of water. The process begins much like the initial stage of in vitro fertilization (IVF).
The first step involves a detailed screening to assess reproductive health and uterine quality. Then, hormonal medications are used to stimulate the ovaries to produce multiple eggs. During this time, doctors monitor egg development through ultrasounds and blood tests. Once the eggs are mature, the woman receives a trigger shot to release them, and they are retrieved during a minor outpatient procedure.
Unlike traditional IVF, where eggs are immediately fertilized, women who opt for egg freezing will store their eggs for future use. The number of eggs retrieved often depends on the woman’s age and overall egg quality, and doctors typically aim to freeze around 10 to 15 eggs, though this can vary by individual.
### Using Frozen Eggs
When a woman decides it’s time to use her frozen eggs, the first step involves thawing them for fertilization and implantation. About 90% of frozen eggs survive the thawing process, and if the eggs were frozen before age 35, around 45% are likely to become viable embryos.
The process for using frozen eggs closely mirrors the early stages of egg freezing. Doctors conduct screenings to ensure the uterus is ready for pregnancy, then prescribe medications such as estrogen and progesterone to prepare the uterine lining.
Using a technique called intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), a single sperm is injected into each egg to fertilize it. After about three to five days, an embryologist will determine which embryos are viable. The viable embryos can then be transferred into the uterus through a quick and painless procedure using a thin catheter.
Two weeks after the embryo transfer, a blood test checks for the presence of hCG, the hormone that indicates pregnancy has begun. If the results are positive, further tests will monitor hCG levels until it’s time to transition to a standard OB/GYN for the rest of the pregnancy—just like anyone else.
### Why Egg Freezing Is Gaining Popularity
Egg freezing is becoming an increasingly popular choice for women, giving them the ability to secure their futures without feeling rushed by a ticking biological clock. Whether you’re focused on advancing your career, still searching for the right partner, or simply not ready to start a family, egg freezing offers a way to take charge of your reproductive journey. With today’s advancements, it’s easier than ever to prioritize both your personal and professional goals.