Fertility Preservation 101: Who Should Consider Egg Freezing?

Is pregnancy something you see in your future, but you’re worried about your biological clock? You might want to consider freezing your eggs. Here, learn what egg freezing involves and factors to consider to understand if it makes sense for you.

Pregnancy doesn’t always happen on a predictable timeline. Some people are ready to start a family early in life, while others may want to focus on their education, career goals, or other personal priorities before having a baby. And sometimes, health issues or treatments may affect your ability to get pregnant now or in the future.

For those who hope to have children later rather than right now, egg freezing is an option to consider for fertility preservation. This process allows you to collect your eggs now and keep them safely stored until you’re ready to try for pregnancy.

Our skilled team of reproductive endocrinology and infertility experts at CARE Fertility in Bedford and Fort Worth, Texas, offer fertility preservation options like egg freezing. In this blog, we explain how egg freezing works and who might want to consider it as an option to preserve future fertility.

Why you might consider fertility preservation

Fertility preservation saves and protects your eggs, sperm, or embryos for future use. Deciding when to start a family or have more children is a personal choice. While now isn’t the right time, becoming pregnant later could be more challenging.

Women’s fertility naturally declines with age. Peak fertility typically occurs from late teens to late 20s. After age 30, fertility gradually declines, making it more difficult to conceive. You have fewer eggs, and the ones that remain may have a greater chance of having abnormal chromosomes.

Freezing your eggs now can help preserve your fertility and give you more options if you experience challenges conceiving later in life. It may also provide peace of mind while you pursue career goals, education, travel, or other life plans before starting a family.

Women undergoing certain medical treatments that may affect fertility, such as chemotherapy or radiation therapy, might consider egg freezing as a way to protect their future ability to have children.

About egg freezing

Egg freezing, or oocyte cryopreservation, is one of the most common methods women choose for fertility preservation. The process begins with taking medications that stimulate your ovaries to produce multiple eggs during one cycle. Your fertility specialist retrieves the eggs at the optimal time and freezes them for future use.

Your eggs remain safely stored until you’re ready to use them for pregnancy. At that time, our team thaws the eggs and fertilizes them with sperm from your partner or a sperm donor to create an embryo. We then transfer the embryo to your uterus through in vitro fertilization (IVF).

Factors to consider before egg freezing

While egg freezing can give you more time to start a family, it’s a major medical and financial decision. Understanding the factors involved can help you make an informed choice and plan appropriately.

Age and ovarian reserve

While there’s no perfect time for egg freezing, many fertility specialists recommend doing so in your late 20s or early 30s. Eggs frozen at younger ages are generally healthier and may improve your chances of successful pregnancy later.

Cost and insurance coverage

Egg freezing may involve many costs, including medication, monitoring appointments, the egg retrieval procedure, and storage fees. A single cycle can cost several thousand dollars, and you may need more than one cycle.

Insurance coverage for fertility preservation varies, so it’s important to review your plan and understand your out-of-pocket expenses. Ongoing storage fees are also typically required until you decide to use your eggs.

Number of cycles needed to get healthy eggs

The number of eggs retrieved during a single cycle varies from person to person due to age, ovarian reserve, and response to fertility treatments. Freezing multiple eggs increases chances of future pregnancy, which is why some women choose to do multiple cycles.

Physical and emotional toll

Egg freezing is physically and emotionally demanding. Hormone medications, medical procedures, and decisions about future family plans can have an affect on your well-being. Take the time to think about your motivations and expectations so you can feel confident about your decision. Talking to a professional may help you sort it all out.

Considering these factors and discussing your options with a fertility specialist can help you decide whether egg freezing aligns with your family-building plans.

Getting started with egg freezing

If you’re considering egg freezing, we can help you decide if it’s right for you. Our team can talk to you about fertility preservation and review the options that might work best for you.

Call CARE Fertility today or request an appointment online to schedule your consultation with a member of our caring, experienced team.