What Is Egg Freezing & Is It Right for Me?

Egg freezing is a fertility preservation treatment that allows your eggs to be collected, frozen and stored for potential use in the future. You might be considering it because you’d like children one day but aren’t ready yet, you haven’t met the person you want to parent with, or because a medical condition or treatment could affect your fertility.

So, what does egg freezing actually do, how successful is it, and how can you decide whether it’s right for you?

Quick facts:

• Egg freezing can be a good option for people preserving their fertility for medical or social reasons.
• It’s generally recommended to freeze before the age of 35-36 to improve your chances of a live birth.
• Since July 2022, you can store your eggs in the UK for up to 55 years, as long as you renew your consent every 10 years.
• Egg freezing improves your future odds but doesn’t guarantee a baby, and many people who freeze never return to use their eggs.
• We offer an egg freezing referral pathway with one of our vetted partner clinics.

What is egg freezing?

Egg freezing, or oocyte cryopreservation, is a fertility preservation treatment in which eggs are collected from your ovaries, frozen and stored so they can potentially be used in the future.

The treatment starts similarly to IVF. Fertility medication encourages several eggs to mature during one cycle. Those eggs are collected during a short procedure and suitable mature eggs are rapidly frozen using a technique called vitrification.

If you decide to use them later, the eggs are thawed and fertilised with sperm in a laboratory. Any embryos that develop can then potentially be transferred into the uterus.

Modern vitrification has made egg freezing much more effective than older slow-freezing techniques. But there are still several steps between freezing an egg and having a baby. Not every egg survives thawing, fertilises, develops into an embryo or results in a live birth.

That’s why egg freezing is best thought of as preserving an option, rather than guaranteeing an outcome. 

Why do people freeze their eggs?

There is no single reason to freeze your eggs. Egg freezing may be worth considering if having a biological child in the future is important to you, but there is a reasonable chance you won’t be ready to try until later, or your future fertility could be affected by a medical condition or treatment.

You may know that you’d like children but don’t feel ready to start a family yet because of your relationship, finances, career, health or other circumstances. You may be considering becoming a solo parent in the future, or simply want more time to decide whether parenthood is right for you. This is often referred to as social egg freezing.

Egg freezing can also be used for medical fertility preservation, for example before chemotherapy, radiotherapy or some types of ovarian surgery that could affect future fertility. It may also be considered by people at increased risk of reduced ovarian reserve or earlier menopause, or before starting hormone therapy or other gender-affirming treatment that could affect fertility.

Egg freezing has become increasingly common in the UK. HFEA data show that the number of patients freezing eggs rose from around 700 in 2014 to 5,580 in 2024, although the number of cycles remained relatively stable between 2023 and 2024.

However, having access to egg freezing doesn’t mean everyone needs to do it. The decision should take into account your age, health, reproductive goals, likelihood of delaying parenthood, treatment burden, cost and personal circumstances, rather than being driven by fear or pressure. Egg freezing cannot guarantee a future baby, but for some people it can preserve additional reproductive options for later.

What are the benefits of freezing your eggs?

The main biological benefit is that egg freezing allows you to preserve eggs at the age you are when they’re collected.

Both the number of available eggs and their average reproductive potential decline with age. As eggs age, chromosomal abnormalities become more common, contributing to lower chances of conception and higher miscarriage rates.

Once eggs are frozen, the success associated with using them later is strongly influenced by your age when they were collected. That means freezing eggs younger can potentially give you an additional option if you find it difficult to conceive naturally later.

For some people, egg freezing can also ease some of the time pressure around family-building decisions.

But there is an important trade-off: the earlier you freeze, the greater the chance that you’ll never need those eggs at all because HFEA data shows that while the number of people freezing eggs has risen considerably, the proportion returning to use them remains much lower.

However, it is also important to know the limitations. Egg freezing cannot guarantee future fertility. Some frozen eggs won’t survive thawing. Some won’t fertilise. Some fertilised eggs won’t develop into embryos, and not every embryo will result in a pregnancy or live birth.

It also doesn’t stop the rest of your body ageing.

For example, if you freeze eggs at 30 and use them at 40, those eggs were collected when you were 30. But if they result in a pregnancy, you’ll still be pregnant at 40, so pregnancy-related risks associated with older age can still apply.

Egg freezing therefore isn’t a way of “stopping your biological clock”. It’s a way of preserving some of the reproductive potential of younger eggs.

How successful is egg freezing?

There isn’t one egg-freezing success rate that can accurately tell you your individual chance of having a baby.

Success depends on several factors, but two of the most important are your age when your eggs are frozen and the number of mature eggs available when you eventually use them.

Age matters because younger eggs are generally more likely to be chromosomally normal.

Outcomes are generally better when egg freezing is performed at a younger age, with many fertility specialists considering the late 20s to early 30s an optimal window, although the decision should still be individualised based on your reproductive plans, ovarian reserve and likelihood of using the eggs.

Egg number matters because of the natural attrition that occurs at every stage. Some eggs won’t survive thawing. Some won’t fertilise. Some fertilised eggs won’t develop into viable embryos. And some embryos won’t implant or result in a live birth.

That’s also why there isn’t one magic number of eggs that guarantees a future baby. ASRM states that there isn’t enough evidence to prescribe a universal number of mature eggs that everyone should freeze to achieve a live birth.

Research from Hertility doctors followed 373 women who froze their eggs. Only 36 returned to use them during the study, resulting in 12 live births. Notably, 82% of those babies were born to people who froze their eggs between 36 and 39, and no one who froze after the age of 40 had a successful pregnancy during the study period.

So what does this mean? Egg freezing is often talked about as a fail-safe way to preserve fertility, but this study shows that simply isn’t the reality. It’s a viable route to having children later, but not a guarantee and it underlines the importance of evidence-based decision-making. The honest message is that people should be encouraged to freeze earlier than previously thought, and to go in fully aware of the lower likelihood of success in the late 30s and 40s.

What age should you freeze your eggs?

The optimal age to freeze your eggs is generally before 35, with outcomes tending to be better when eggs are frozen in your late 20s or early 30s.

This is because both egg number and egg quality decline over time. Younger eggs are generally more likely to survive thawing, fertilise and develop into embryos. Freezing earlier may therefore give you a better chance of having usable eggs in the future.

However, the optimal age is not the same as a compulsory age.

Freezing your eggs in your late 20s may preserve eggs with stronger reproductive potential, but there’s a greater chance you may never need to use them. You may conceive naturally, decide not to have children, or find that your plans change.

Waiting until your early or mid-30s may make the decision feel more relevant, but it could also mean retrieving fewer eggs. After 35, egg freezing may still be worthwhile, but you may be more likely to need multiple cycles to collect an appropriate number of mature eggs.

The right time depends on your age, ovarian reserve, family-building plans, likelihood of delaying pregnancy and willingness to undergo treatment. A fertility assessment can help you understand what egg freezing may realistically offer you now.

So the decision usually comes down to a balance between:

• your age and ovarian reserve
• when you think you may want to try for a family
• how important having a biological child is to you
• whether you could afford one or more treatment cycles
• how you would feel if you froze your eggs but never used them

For a more detailed look at age, egg numbers, success rates and how to make the decision, read our guide: What Age Should You Freeze Your Eggs?

Does AMH tell you whether you should freeze your eggs?

No. AMH can help estimate how your ovaries may respond to egg-freezing medication, but it cannot tell you whether you should freeze your eggs or whether they will result in a baby.

Anti-Müllerian hormone, or AMH, is commonly used as a marker of ovarian reserve. Alongside an antral follicle count (AFC) measured by ultrasound, it can help fertility specialists estimate how many eggs you might produce in response to ovarian stimulation.

That information can be useful when planning treatment.

But AMH doesn’t directly measure egg quality. A high AMH doesn’t mean your eggs are younger, and a low result doesn’t automatically mean you can’t become pregnant naturally. AMH can help estimate potential egg yield. Age is much more important when thinking about the reproductive potential of those eggs.

If you’re considering egg freezing, Hertility can help you assess both key markers of ovarian reserve: AMH and antral follicle count (AFC). Looking at these together, alongside your age, medical history and future family-building plans, can give a more useful picture of how your ovaries may respond to stimulation and help you make a more informed decision about whether to explore egg freezing.

How does egg freezing work?

The active treatment usually takes around two to three weeks. Before starting, you’ll have fertility testing and a consultation. You’ll then usually take injectable fertility medication for around 8-12 days while your follicles are monitored using ultrasound scans and sometimes blood tests.

Once they’re ready, you’ll have a final trigger injection followed by egg collectionunder sedation 

Mature eggs are then frozen and stored. When you’re ready to use them, your eggs are thawed and those that survive are fertilised with sperm.

In the UK, thawed eggs are generally fertilised using ICSI (intracytoplasmic sperm injection), where a single sperm is injected directly into an egg.

Any fertilised eggs are then monitored to see whether they develop into embryos. If a suitable embryo develops, it may be transferred into the uterus.

Again, there is natural attrition throughout this process. Ten frozen eggs do not mean ten embryos or ten chances to have a baby.

For injections, monitoring, egg retrieval, recovery and exactly what happens in the laboratory, read our step-by-step guide to the egg freezing process.

How long can frozen eggs be stored in the UK?

In the UK, eggs can legally remain in storage for up to 55 years. However, you need to renew your consent to storage every 10 years. Your clinic needs to be able to contact you to do this, so keeping your details up to date is important.

You also don’t have to keep your eggs for the full period. Depending on your circumstances and the relevant consent requirements, you may eventually decide to use them, continue storing them, donate them where eligible, allow them to be used for research or training, or dispose of them.

How many eggs are usually collected?

There isn’t a standard number of eggs collected in one cycle because ovarian response varies considerably between people.

The HFEA reports that most patients under 38 have around 7–14 eggs collected during an egg-freezing cycle, although some will collect fewer and others more.

The number collected also isn’t necessarily the number ultimately frozen.

Not every follicle contains an egg, and not every egg retrieved will be mature enough for freezing. Some people therefore collect the number of eggs they’re aiming for during one cycle, while others may choose or be advised to undergo more than one.

Your result is much more useful when interpreted alongside your age, ovarian reserve and family-building goals than when compared with somebody else’s egg number.

How many eggs do you need to freeze?

There’s no magic number, but the evidence gives a useful benchmark: storing around 15–20 mature eggs before the age of 35 is associated with a good chance of at least one live birth, often quoted at around 70% or higher. Because success depends on age and egg number together, older age raises the number of eggs you’d need for the same odds, sometimes substantially by your late 30s and into your 40s.

This is exactly why the early testing in step one matters. Knowing your AMH and antral follicle count helps set realistic expectations about how many eggs you might collect per cycle, and therefore how many cycles you may need to meet your goals.

What are the risks of egg freezing?

Egg freezing is generally safe, but it isn’t risk-free.

Fertility medication can cause temporary side effects including bloating, headaches, abdominal discomfort and mood changes. A more significant complication is ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS), where the ovaries respond excessively to stimulation medication. Modern treatment protocols and monitoring have reduced the risk, but severe cases can occur.

Egg retrieval also carries small risks associated with any procedure, including bleeding, infection and sedation. 

But one of the most important risks isn’t physical. It’s the possibility that after the injections, procedures, cost and years of storage, your eggs don’t ultimately result in a baby.

The emotional side of egg freezing is easy to underestimate. For some people, treatment feels empowering. For others, it can bring up anxiety about fertility, relationships, age or future parenthood.

Stimulation involves daily injections and repeated clinic appointments, and you won’t know exactly how many mature eggs will be frozen until after collection.

If you retrieve fewer eggs than hoped, deciding whether to undergo another cycle can bring another set of emotional and financial decisions.

There’s no correct way to feel about the process.

If you’re weighing up whether egg freezing is right for you, it can help to hear from people who’ve experienced it themselves. Read our personal accounts of egg freezing for five very different experiences of treatment.

Can you freeze your eggs on the NHS?

Planned egg freezing for non-medical reasons isn’t generally funded by the NHS.

NHS funding may be available where fertility is at risk because of a medical condition or treatment, for example, before some cancer treatments.

Eligibility varies according to where you live and your individual circumstances, so speak to your specialist or GP as early as possible if a medical treatment could affect your fertility.

How much does egg freezing cost in the UK?

Egg freezing is usually privately funded when it’s undertaken for non-medical reasons.

The HFEA currently estimates an average cost of around £3,350 for egg collection and freezing, with medication adding approximately £500–£1,500.

Storage typically costs another £125–£350 per year.

There are then additional costs when you return to use your eggs. The HFEA estimates the whole freezing and thawing process at approximately £7,000–£8,000 on average.

Your total could be higher if you need multiple cycles, require more medication or store your eggs for many years.

Before choosing a clinic, ask for a fully costed treatment plan that includes medication, monitoring, collection, freezing, storage and what you’ll pay if you eventually use your eggs.

If you’re considering egg freezing, Hertility can help you understand your potential treatment options before you commit to a clinic. Our pre-treatment pathway includes fertility testing, a Fertility Advisor Call and, where appropriate, a pelvic ultrasound to assess your ovarian reserve and antral follicle count.

We can also help you explore suitable HFEA-accredited partner clinics for treatment, so you can make a more informed decision about where to continue your egg-freezing journey.

Is egg freezing worth it?

Egg freezing can be worthwhile for some people, but whether it’s worth it for you depends on what you’re hoping to gain from treatment.

It may feel worthwhile if having a biological child is important to you, you expect to delay trying for several years and you understand that freezing eggs provides another potential route to parenthood rather than an insurance policy. For someone else, the financial cost, treatment burden or relatively low likelihood of ever using the eggs may outweigh that benefit.

So rather than asking only “Should I freeze my eggs?”, it can help to ask: What would freezing give me that I don’t have now, and how much is that option worth to me?

Speaking to a Hertility Fertility Advisor can help you understand your results, explain what they may mean for your potential response to stimulation and support you in deciding whether egg freezing is right for you.

How can Hertility help if you’re considering egg freezing?

Hertility’s egg-freezing pathway can help you understand your reproductive health and potential treatment options before committing to a clinic.

Our egg-freezing pathway starts with an Advanced Hormone and Fertility Test, which assesses key reproductive hormones and includes a Clinical Results Review Call to help you understand your results and discuss your family-building plans.

You can then choose to add a pelvic ultrasound scan to assess your reproductive anatomy and antral follicle count. This can provide further information about your ovarian reserve and help estimate how your ovaries may respond to stimulation.

If egg freezing is suitable for you, Hertility can refer you to one of our HFEA-accredited partner clinics for treatment. Our partner clinics can provide the medical care involved in ovarian stimulation, monitoring, egg collection and freezing.

The aim is to give you a clearer, more personalised picture of your fertility and help you decide whether egg freezing is right for you.

There’s a lot to weigh up when deciding whether to freeze your eggs, including your age, ovarian reserve, future family plans, treatment and cost. Watch our egg-freezing explainer to understand the process and the questions worth considering before making a decision.

Frequently asked questions about egg freezing

Does freezing your eggs guarantee a baby?

No. Egg freezing can preserve additional reproductive options, but it cannot guarantee a future pregnancy or live birth. Eggs still need to survive thawing, fertilise, develop into embryos and ultimately result in a successful pregnancy.

What is the best age to freeze your eggs?

The optimal age to freeze your eggs is generally before 35, with outcomes tending to be better when eggs are frozen in your late 20s or early 30s.

This is because both egg number and egg quality decline over time. Younger eggs are generally more likely to survive thawing, fertilise and develop into embryos. Freezing earlier may therefore give you a better chance of having usable eggs in the future.

Is 35 too late to freeze your eggs?

No. Many people freeze eggs at 35 or later. In fact, the average age of people freezing eggs in the UK was 35 in 2023. However, egg quality and quantity decline with age, so expected success and the number of cycles you may require should be discussed individually.

If you’re considering egg freezing at 35 or beyond, Hertility can help you understand your ovarian reserve and how your results may inform your options. Explore egg freezing with Hertility →

Does AMH tell you your egg quality?

No. AMH is mainly useful for estimating ovarian reserve and how your ovaries may respond to stimulation. It doesn’t directly measure the quality or chromosomal health of your eggs.

Want to understand what your AMH result means for your fertility? Hertility’s Advanced Hormone and Fertility Test can help you assess your ovarian reserve and discuss your results with a Fertility Advisor, so you can make more informed decisions about egg freezing and your future family-building plans.

Can I still get pregnant naturally after freezing my eggs?

Yes. Freezing eggs doesn’t mean you have to use them later. If you’re ready to try for a baby and natural conception is appropriate for you, you can still try to conceive without using your frozen eggs.

How long does egg freezing take?

The active treatment cycle usually takes around two to three weeks, including ovarian stimulation and egg collection. You’ll also need tests and consultations before treatment begins.

How long can you keep eggs frozen?

In the UK, eggs can be stored for up to 55 years, provided you renew your consent every 10 years.

How much does it cost to freeze eggs in the UK?

The HFEA estimates an average of around £3,350 for egg collection and freezing, plus £500–£1,500 for medication and £125–£350 per year for storage. The whole freezing and later thawing journey averages around £7,000–£8,000.

Is egg freezing safe?

Egg freezing is generally safe, but fertility medication can cause side effects and there are small risks associated with ovarian stimulation and egg retrieval, including OHSS, bleeding and infection. The most important limitation to understand is that treatment may ultimately not result in a baby.

References:

Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA). Egg freezing. https://www.hfea.gov.uk/treatments/fertility-preservation/egg-freezing/

HFEA (2022). New law comes into force giving greater flexibility for fertility patients. https://www.hfea.gov.uk/about-us/news-and-press-releases/2022/new-law-comes-into-force-giving-greater-flexibility-for-fertility-patients/

HFEA. Fertility treatment 2023: trends and figures. https://www.hfea.gov.uk/about-us/publications/research-and-data/fertility-treatment-2023-trends-and-figures/

Cobo, A. et al. (2025). Is planned oocyte cryopreservation delivering? Reproductive BioMedicine Online. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rbmo.2025.104794

Kasaven, L.S. et al. (2022). Reproductive outcomes from ten years of elective oocyte cryopreservation. Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00404-022-06711-0

Gale, J., Clancy, A.A. and Claman, P. (2020). Elective egg freezing for age-related fertility decline. CMAJ. https://www.cmaj.ca/content/192/6/E142.long

Varlas, V.N. et al. (2021). Social freezing: pressing pause on fertility. IJERPH. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8345795/

Petropanagos, A., Cattapan, A., Baylis, F. and Leader, A., 2015. Social egg freezing: risk, benefits and other considerations. Cmaj, 187(9), pp.666-669. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4467930/