Egg Freezing Popularity on the Rise: Why Now?

From fashion to technology and everything in between, there seems to be a trend for everything.  Even freezing eggs is a growing trend and one that continues to rise in popularity.  But why?  Up until a few years ago, egg freezing was primarily offered to women suffering from infertility and for those undergoing cancer treatments.  Back then, success rates were low because eggs were frozen so slowly that ice would often form and damage the cells.  In October 2012, the freezing technology had advanced enough that the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) announced the procedure was no longer “experimental”.  Since then, its popularity has been on the rise especially for healthy, young women who are electively delaying childbearing for a variety of reasons. 

Largely popular amongst millennials, “elective freezing” has become a source of “freedom” to those who wish to pursue a career before starting a family or take their time in finding the right partner.  Fertility in women declines rapidly after the age of 35, and egg freezing gives women an option to start a family later in life.  By 2018, the Society of Assisted Reproductive Technology (SART) estimates that 76,000 women will freeze their eggs – more than 15 times the rate in 2013. 

Is it for me? 

A research team at Brigham and Women's Hospital developed a personalized model that starts the conversation about freezing eggs between a woman and her physician.  This evidence-based tool was created in order to provide guidance for patients who are considering elective freezing – its cost, the number of eggs a woman should freeze based on age, and the number of children she wants to have in the future. 

As an example, their model found that a 35-year old woman who freezes 10 eggs following her first cycle has a 69% chance of one live birth.  If she undergoes a second cycle and now has 20 frozen eggs, her chances jump to 90% for one live birth.  With 30 eggs, the likelihood of success rises to 97%. 

Elective egg freezing is an important decision, which should be discussed in detail between a woman and her doctor.  At any of our IVF FLORIDA fertility clinics, our physicians will guide you through the decision making process and educate you every step of the way should you decide to move forward with the procedure.  For more information on egg freezing or to schedule a consultation, please call us at 866.770.2168.