Fertility Preservation
Myth vs. Fact: The Truth About Egg Freezing
Alex Myron
Egg freezing has become increasingly popular over the past decade, but with its growing visibility has come a fair share of misconceptions. At Open Fertility, we believe that making informed decisions about your fertility requires accurate information, not outdated myths or misleading headlines.
Whether you’re just starting to consider egg freezing or you’re already moving forward with the process, separating fact from fiction is essential. Let’s tackle six of the most common myths about egg freezing and set the record straight with evidence-based information.Myth 1: “Egg freezing is only for people in their late 30s or 40s.”
The Reality: While egg freezing can certainly be beneficial for individuals in their late 30s and early 40s, the optimal time to freeze eggs is actually in your late 20s to early 30s when egg quality is typically at its best. Eggs frozen at age 28 will have the same likelihood to turn into a viable pregnancy when thawed years later, whether you use them at 30, 35, or 40. This means that younger individuals who freeze their eggs may have better outcomes when they’re ready to use them. That said, egg freezing can still be worthwhile for people in their late 30s and early 40s, depending on their individual circumstances and fertility assessment. The key is working with your fertility team to understand what makes sense for your specific situation and timeline. The Bottom Line: There’s no single “right” age to freeze eggs, but earlier is often better from a biological standpoint.Myth 2: “The egg freezing process is extremely painful and disruptive.”
The Reality: While egg freezing does involve some discomfort, most people find the process much more manageable than they expected. The entire process takes only 2-3 weeks. The daily hormone injections are typically described as similar to “a pinch,” and many people quickly get comfortable administering them. The medications may cause some bloating, mood changes, or breast tenderness, similar to PMS symptoms, but these side effects are usually manageable and temporary. The egg retrieval procedure itself is done under sedation, so you won’t feel anything during the actual process. Afterward, you might experience some cramping or bloating for a day or two, like menstrual cramps. Most people take the rest of the day off after their retrieval to rest and recover, but are ready to return to work and daily life the next day. The Bottom Line: While everyone’s experience is different, the egg freezing process is generally much more tolerable than many people expect. Definitely talk to your provider to understand if you are at risk of any side effects or complications based on your unique medical history and biology.Myth 3: “Frozen eggs don’t work as well as fresh eggs.”
The Reality: Modern egg freezing technology, called vitrification, has revolutionized the process and dramatically improved outcomes. Current studies show that eggs frozen using vitrification have survival rates of 90-95% when thawed, and pregnancy rates with frozen eggs are comparable to those with fresh eggs of the same age. The key factor is the age at which the eggs were frozen, not whether they were fresh or frozen. This represents a huge improvement from older slow-freezing methods, which had much lower success rates and contributed to this persistent myth. The Bottom Line: With modern freezing techniques, frozen eggs can be just as effective as fresh eggs for achieving pregnancy.Myth 4: “You need to freeze dozens of eggs to have a good chance of success.”
The Reality: While more eggs generally improve your chances, you don’t need enormous numbers to have a reasonable chance of success. Research suggests that for individuals under 35, freezing 15-20 mature eggs provides a good chance of at least one live birth. For individuals 35-37, freezing 25-30 eggs may be recommended, and for individuals over 38, even more may be beneficial. However, these are general guidelines, and success can occur with fewer eggs. Some people achieve pregnancy with just a few high-quality frozen eggs, while others may need more attempts. That’s why we created the egg freezing calculator to help you better estimate your chances of success. The number of eggs you’ll produce in one cycle varies greatly between individuals and depends on factors like your age, ovarian reserve (measured by tests like AMH), and how you respond to stimulation medications. The Bottom Line: While more eggs can improve your odds, success is possible with smaller numbers, especially if the eggs are high quality.Myth 5: “If you freeze your eggs, you’re giving up on unassisted conception.”
The Reality: Freezing your eggs doesn’t mean you’ve given up on unassisted conception (also referred to as “natural” conception); many people who freeze eggs go on to conceive without ever using them. Think of egg freezing as creating a backup plan or insurance policy. You may never need to use your frozen eggs, but having them there can reduce anxiety about your fertility timeline and give you more confidence in your family-planning decisions. The egg freezing process doesn’t impact your natural fertility or reduce your chances of conceiving on your own in the future. It simply provides additional options if you need them later. The Bottom Line: Egg freezing and unassisted conception aren’t mutually exclusive, meaning freezing eggs can give you peace of mind while you continue trying to conceive naturally, if that’s your goal.Myth 6: “Egg freezing is only for wealthy people.”
The Reality: While egg freezing does require a financial investment, it’s become much more accessible than it was in the past. At Open Fertility, we’ve specifically designed our care model to make fertility treatments, including egg freezing, more affordable. We deliver the same level of expertise and advanced technology at a fraction of the cost of traditional clinics by streamlining protocols and reducing unnecessary office visits. We also partner with financing companies like PatientFi to provide flexible payment plans, making egg freezing accessible to more people who want to preserve their fertility. You can learn more about our approach to transparent pricing and financing options here. Many insurance plans are also beginning to cover egg freezing, especially when there’s a medical indication, and some employers now offer egg freezing benefits. *Note: Open Fertility currently only accepts self-pay clients and is unable to accept insurance at this time. The Bottom Line: While cost is a consideration, egg freezing is becoming increasingly accessible, and there are options to make it more affordable.Making Informed Decisions About Your Fertility
Understanding the facts about egg freezing helps you make decisions based on accurate information, rather than myths or misconceptions. At Open Fertility, we’re committed to providing you with transparent, evidence-based information about all your fertility options. Whether egg freezing is right for you depends on your individual circumstances, goals, and timeline. Our team is here to help you understand your options without pressure or judgment, so you can make the choice that aligns with your values and life plans. Remember, fertility decisions are deeply personal, and there’s no universal right answer. What matters is that you have access to accurate information and compassionate care as you navigate these important choices.Want to Learn More about Egg Freezing?
For more information about egg freezing services at Open Fertility, head to our egg freezing page to learn about the process, timeline, and costs. Curious what fertility care looks like at Open Fertility? Learn more about our care model here.Ready to Get Started?
Taking the first step toward understanding your fertility options doesn’t have to be overwhelming or expensive. At Open Fertility, we’re here to support you with transparent information, personalized care, and accessible pricing that puts your goals first. Schedule a consult with one of our providers who can help you learn about your options and answer any questions you may have, or send us an email at [email protected].
