What can I expect from Egg Freezing?

Egg freezing: an overview

The study examined 3,328 elective egg freezing cycles in 2,280 patients over a 14-year period. Out of these, 299 patients (about 14%) returned to use their frozen eggs between 2015 and 2023.

At the time of egg freezing, the average age of patients was 37.6 years, and most thawed their eggs around the age of 40. The big question: did freezing their eggs help them achieve a healthy pregnancy? The answer is: yes, for many, it did. A total of 93 pregnancies were recorded, with 77 healthy live births.

These numbers demonstrate that egg freezing is not just a "what if" solution; it’s a viable option for those wanting to preserve their fertility.

Success rates by age

While egg freezing can be reassuring, one thing to remember is that success rates do vary with age. According to the study:

• For patients who froze their eggs under 35 years old, the live birth rate (LBR) per embryo transferred was 26%

• For those between 35–39 years, the LBR was 20%

• For those over 40 years, the LBR dropped to 5%

These results make it clear that while egg freezing can offer a path to pregnancy, age at the time of freezing plays a crucial role. The younger you are when you freeze your eggs, the better your chances of success. That said, even for those who froze their eggs at 40+, the option remains valuable, especially when coupled with modern embryo screening techniques.

The role of embryo screening in IVF success

Embryo screening, also known as preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidies (PGT-A), has been shown to significantly increase success rates in those using frozen eggs. In this study, PGT-A doubled the LBR compared to transfers from untested embryos—jumping from 21% to 40% after just one attempt.

For patients over 40, PGT-A was even more impactful. The live birth rate of all transfers within the same cycle (also called cumulative liver birth rate) reached 42% per patient when using genetically tested embryos. This makes embryo screening with PGT-A an option worth considering, particularly for those freezing eggs later in life.

Egg freezing vs. routine IVF

One of the major takeaways from this study is that using your own frozen eggs has now reached a point where the results are comparable to a fresh IVF treatment. This is important for anyone considering fertility preservation but unsure if it will offer them real options in the future.

Not everyone who freezes their eggs will end up using them: some women get pregnant naturally, while some choose to have a fresh IVF treatment. But for those who do, the freezing technology has advanced to provide reliable and safe outcomes. It’s not a guarantee, but it’s a well-supported option for your fertility and future family-making.

The future of fertility preservation

Egg freezing has come a long way, and the numbers offer reassurance that it’s a good option for preserving fertility. Data from the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) has shown that more and more women choose to freeze their eggs and store them for future IVF treatment, with egg storage being the fastest growing fertility treatment in the UK. Apricity’s approach, which reduces the need for multiple clinic visits and offers at-home tests, makes the process easier and more accessible. Plus, with success rates above the national average, you can feel confident knowing you’re in safe hands.

The decision to freeze your eggs is deeply personal, but understanding the science behind it can give you peace of mind. With recent advancements, egg freezing is no longer a leap of faith but a well-researched option with solid data to back it up.

What Should You Do Next?

If you’re thinking about freezing your eggs or exploring other fertility treatments, our virtual fertility clinic Apricity is here to guide you. With our cutting-edge app and personalised fertility advisor support, we make your fertility journey as smooth as possible.

You can take your time to decide—our team is available 24/7 via the Apricity mobile app to answer any questions you have. When you’re ready, we’ll help you make an informed decision that suits your unique circumstances.

References:

1. https://www.rbmojournal.com/article/S1472-6483(24)00565-0/fulltext

2. https://www.hfea.gov.uk/about-us/publications/research-and-data/fertility-treatment-2022-preliminary-trends-and-figures/#section-5