The Other Important Egg Conversation: A Future You Can Freeze, Because Timing Isn’t Everything

Writer: Amanda Pisciotta 

Editor: Shane McGlone

The Other Important Egg Conversation: A Future You Can Freeze, Because Timing Isn’t Everything

Freezing Eggs: Empowering Young Women to Take Control of Their Futures

We live in a world where women are increasingly prioritizing education, careers, and personal growth. Now that the opportunity to do so is finally within reach, it’s no surprise that the traditional timeline for starting a family is changing. Young women are choosing paths that require years of dedication—whether in medicine, law, business, or the arts. But as these ambitious dreams unfold, many women also face a lingering question: When will the right time come for children—if at all?

For decades, society has been fixated on the ticking biological clock that women face, often pushing them into making life-changing decisions about family and career before they’re truly ready. But today, women have more options than ever before. One of the most powerful options: freezing their eggs.

The Power of Freezing Eggs: Preserving Fertility for the Future

Egg freezing, or oocyte cryopreservation, is a groundbreaking advancement in reproductive technology that allows women to preserve their eggs at a younger age, giving them the freedom to focus on their careers and aspirations without the pressure of biological limitations[1]. Whether a woman is in medical school, law school, or simply not yet ready—or with the right partner—to start a family, egg freezing can provide peace of mind and open the door to future possibilities, all without compromising career goals or personal aspirations.

For many young women, the pressure to have children by a “certain age” has been a significant source of stress. The reality is that women’s fertility naturally declines with age, with the most significant drop occurring after 35[2]. By the age of 30, approximately 90% of the eggs a woman is born with will be gone[2]. A woman is born with all the eggs she will ever have, with peak reproductive years occurring between the late teens and late 20s[3]. By freezing their eggs at a younger age—ideally in their 20s—women can mitigate this natural decline, preserving their ability to have children later in life when the time is right for them. This technology empowers women to maintain control over their bodies, their futures, and their reproductive choices, all while pursuing their personal and professional goals.

For Women Facing Medical Challenges

For some women, the decision to freeze their eggs is not just about career timing but also about preserving fertility in the face of medical conditions. Conditions such as endometriosis, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), or a family history of cancer—particularly when it increases the risk of undergoing treatments like chemotherapy—can significantly impact a woman’s ability to conceive later in life. In these cases, egg freezing can be a valuable option, especially when done at a younger age for a higher chance of success and ability[4,5,6].

Freezing eggs early, before medical treatments or conditions compromise fertility, provides a safety net for women who may face additional reproductive challenges. This proactive approach allows women to preserve their fertility despite life’s unexpected turns, empowering them to make choices about starting a family on their own terms—whether in the near future or many years down the road.

The Role of IVF Technology

In recent years, IVF (in vitro fertilization) technology has made tremendous advancements, making egg freezing not only more accessible, but also more effective. Improvements in egg freezing techniques, embryo development, and cryopreservation have made the process safer and more reliable than ever. For women who freeze their eggs at a younger age, the chances of successful fertilization and pregnancy down the line are significantly higher[7].

Moreover, advances in genetic testing and screening have helped reduce the risk of inherited genetic conditions, giving women even more confidence in their future fertility[8]. Egg freezing is no longer just a backup plan—it’s a method that empowers women to take control of their fertility and their reproductive future with confidence.

The Cost of Egg Freezing: Is It Worth It?

Of course, like any major decision, egg freezing comes with costs. The process itself can range from $15,000 to $20,000 per IVF cycle with frozen eggs, and additional expenses—such as anesthesia, testing, medication, and storage fees for the frozen eggs—can add up[9]. It’s understandable that for many women, the financial burden might seem daunting.

However, it’s important to recognize that options exist to make egg freezing more accessible. Fertility clinics often offer payment plans, loans (from providers like Sunfish, Ally, FutureFamily, and Lending Club), and even grant programs (such as those from the Baby Quest Foundation) to help women, especially those facing economic challenges, manage the costs[10,11]. Additionally, some health insurance plans cover part of the expenses. While it is an investment, many women find it invaluable as they plan for their futures.

By considering egg freezing at an earlier stage—when they are prime candidates—young women are not just planning for children. They are making a powerful statement about their autonomy and their right to decide when they are ready for motherhood, without sacrificing their career ambitions or personal dreams. 

Empowering Women to Make Informed Choices

At the heart of egg freezing is the concept of autonomy. It’s about empowering women to make choices based on their unique circumstances and goals rather than meeting others' expectations. It’s about knowing their rights and understanding that they don’t have to follow a prescribed path of career, marriage, and children—all in a specific order. Women are increasingly claiming their right to decide when to have children, and egg freezing is an important tool in that journey.

For those of us who might find ourselves on the fence about freezing our eggs, it’s critical to understand that this isn’t just about delaying motherhood—it’s about creating options for the future. It’s about taking control now, when we’re in our prime, and making choices that align with our future selves, not with the limitations of societal expectations.

In a world that’s constantly changing, technology like egg freezing gives young women the power to thrive in their careers, fight against medical challenges, and live life on their own terms. The choice to freeze eggs is not just about fertility; it’s about freedom. Freedom to follow your dreams, the freedom to decide when and how to start a family, and the freedom to make informed, empowering choices for your future.

Ultimately, it’s about reclaiming your body and your future—on your own terms.

Sources:

1. Progyny. (n.d.). Understanding the egg freezing process. Progyny. https://progyny.com/education/egg-freezing/understanding-the-egg-freezing-process/#:~:text=Egg%20freezing%2C%20also%20known%20as,genetic%20children%20in%20the%20future. 

2. Cassano, O. (n.d.). How many eggs does a woman have and need? Apricity. https://www.apricityfertility.com/uk/blog/how-many-eggs-does-a-woman-have 

3. Better Health Channel. (n.d.). Age and fertility. Better Health Channel. https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtreatments/age-and-fertility#:~:text=A%20woman%20in%20her%20early,of%20getting%20pregnant%20every%20month. 

4. Petrozza, J. (n.d.). Endometriosis and its impact on fertility. Massachusetts General Hospital. https://www.massgeneral.org/obgyn/fertility/news/endometriosis-and-its-impact-on-fertility#:~:text=How%20does%20endometriosis%20impact%20fertility,including%20your%20ability%20to%20conceive. 

5. Mayo Clinic. (n.d.). Polycystic ovary syndrome. Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/pcos/symptoms-causes/syc-20353439#:~:text=With%20PCOS%20%2C%20the%20ovaries%20may,result%20in%20hirsutism%20and%20acne. 

6. American Cancer Society. (n.d.). How cancer and cancer treatment can affect fertility in women. American Cancer Society. https://www.cancer.org/cancer/managing-cancer/side-effects/fertility-and-sexual-side-effects/fertility-and-women-with-cancer/how-cancer-treatments-affect-fertility.html#:~:text=Chemotherapy,Procarbazine 

7. Evolve. (n.d.). Egg freezing success rates by age. Evolve. https://evolveeggfreeze.com/egg-freezing-success-rates/ 

8. Gudapati, S., Chaudhari, K., Shrivastava, D., & Yelne, S. (2023). Advancements and applications of preimplantation genetic testing in in vitro fertilization: A comprehensive review. PubMed Central. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11061269/#:~:text=In%20modern%20reproductive%20medicine%2C%20PGT,future%20of%20assisted%20reproductive%20technology. 

9. CCRM Fertility. (n.d.). IVF cost. CCRM Fertility. https://www.ccrmivf.com/ivf-cost/ 

10. Tecco, H. (n.d.). How to pay for egg freezing. Freeze by Co. https://www.cofertility.com/freeze-learn/how-to-pay-for-egg-freezing 

11. Facing Our Risk of Cancer Empowered (FORCE). (n.d.). Find financial assistance. FORCE. https://www.facingourrisk.org/support/find-financial-assistance/fertility-preservation#:~:text=Baby%20Quest%20Foundation%20provides%20financial,egg%20freezing%20and%20embryo%20donation.