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Fertility Preservation

Egg Freezing

Egg freezing, fertility preservation and questions to consider.

  • 2 minread
  • 3sections
  • 1myth checked
  • 3sources

egg freezingfertility preservationoocyte cryopreservationvitrification

Watercolour of a woman writing in a notebook at a table on a sunny stoep, with Table Mountain in the distance.
Egg freezing allows eggs to be stored for possible future use.

Preview for Kara’s review. Educational draft · clinical approval pending.

Egg freezing, or oocyte cryopreservation, allows eggs to be stored for possible future use. It is considered for medical reasons, such as before some cancer treatments, and by women planning for the future.

Kara explains

The first part of egg freezing looks very similar to IVF: stimulation, monitoring and egg retrieval. The difference is that the mature eggs are frozen instead of being fertilised straight away.

The process

After stimulation and egg collection, the mature eggs are frozen by a rapid method called vitrification.

After stimulation and retrieval, mature eggs are frozen using a rapid freezing method called vitrification. If they are used later, they are warmed and fertilised in the laboratory, usually by ICSI, and any resulting embryo may be transferred. As with IVF, there is a small risk of the ovaries over-responding (OHSS) and of complications from egg collection; the IVF page explains the warning signs and when to get urgent help.

Age at freezing matters

Concept illustration, not to scale: egg quality changes with age, so the age at freezing matters.

The age at which eggs are frozen is one of the most important factors in their future potential, because egg quality changes with age.

Not a guarantee

A clinic can give you an estimate for your age and egg numbers; ask how it was calculated.

Frozen eggs offer an option, not a guarantee of a future pregnancy. The two things that matter most are your age when the eggs are frozen and how many are stored. Many women never end up using their frozen eggs. A clinic can give you an estimate for your age and egg numbers; ask how it was calculated.

Myth vs evidence

Myth

“Freezing your eggs is a guaranteed back-up plan.”

Evidence

Egg freezing can increase future options, but it does not guarantee a pregnancy.

Take to your appointment Ask your healthcare professional
  1. Based on my age and ovarian reserve, what could egg freezing realistically offer me?
  2. How many eggs might you aim to freeze, and how many cycles might that take?
  3. What happens to stored eggs over time, and what are the costs?

Words you may hear

Oocyte
The medical term for an egg.
Vitrification
A rapid freezing technique used for eggs and embryos.
Fertility preservation
Freezing eggs, sperm, embryos or tissue for possible future use.
Kara’s key takeaway

Egg freezing can widen your future options. Go in with realistic expectations and good questions.

Watch with Kara

Videos on this topic are coming to the channel:

  • Egg Freezing Explained
  • Who Might Consider Fertility Preservation?
  • How Many Eggs Should You Freeze?
  • Fertility Preservation Before Cancer Treatment

See the video schedule

Keep learning

Want the foundations in one place? The free Fertility Starter Guide covers ten things everyone should understand about their fertility.

Get the free guide

Sources 3 studies and guidelines Show the research