What Is Egg Freezing (Oocyte Cryopreservation)?

The basics

Oocyte cryopreservation, or egg freezing, is when eggs are collected from the ovaries and then frozen. This is done so eggs can be stored and preserved for future use. It’s a delicate process and requires an experienced healthcare team. 

The first human birth after oocyte cryopreservation happened in 1986. Since then, there have been many advances to improve the process. The process of egg freezing is the same as the initial steps for in vitro fertilization (IVF). Egg freezing involves:

• Using hormone medications, usually as injections, to induce egg growth

• Getting bloodwork and ultrasounds to monitor your response to medication

• Getting a “trigger shot” to mature and release your eggs

• Having a medical procedure — called egg retrieval — to collect your eggs

Though oocyte cryopreservation has been a valuable tool for many people, you should be aware of some important considerations before making the choice to pursue this option. Here’s a guide to egg freezing, so you can decide if it’s right for you. 

Why might someone choose to freeze their eggs?

Some people at risk for impaired fertility choose oocyte cryopreservation. Certain medical procedures and treatments can damage the ovaries and impair fertility. Other people might be at risk for impaired fertility because of genetic issues. Some of the common examples of these situations are: 

• Surgery that may damage the ovaries

• Chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy

• Turner syndrome

• Fragile X syndrome

• Planned female to male transition

• Family history of early menopause

• Ovarian disease or genetic disease requiring removal of the ovaries (like BRCA mutation)

Another reason to do egg freezing is for personal fertility planning. Many people choose to do planned egg freezing because they want to wait to have children until they’re older. Since fertility decreases as people age, egg freezing can help someone have a baby at an older age. Egg freezing is a personal and powerful decision that allows for reproductive autonomy and social equality.

Is egg freezing safe?

All medical procedures have risks — including egg freezing. But complications are rare, and there’s a lot of research showing it’s quite safe. Let’s take a look at some common safety concerns.

Hormone medications

People worry about the short-term and long-term effects of fertility medications used for egg freezing. While getting injections is no fun — there are a few complications in the short term. You might have some bruising and pain at the injection site. It’s possible to have an allergic reaction to fertility medications, but it’s uncommon. 

Another short-term complication from these medications is ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS). Fortunately, this only happens in 3% to 6% of women, and serious complications from OHSS are rare.

Research has also shown that these medications do not cause cancer later in life. And they will not affect fertility later in life either. 

Egg retrieval

Egg retrieval is a medical procedure in which a needle is passed through the vagina and into the ovaries to collect eggs. There’s a small risk of bleeding, infection, or damage to the surrounding organs or blood vessels. You would get anesthesia for this because the procedure is uncomfortable. Anesthesia is generally safe — and the risk of serious complications during egg retrieval is very low. 

Future child’s health

Children born from oocyte preservation do not have any more long-term health problems or developmental issues than other children. Studies also show that they do not have an increased risk for birth defects.  

What is the best age to freeze your eggs?

Egg freezing is expensive. Although rare, there are risks involved. So if you’re thinking about planned egg freezing, you want to make sure you do it at the right time. 

As eggs age, they have a higher risk of having genetic abnormalities. This means that they’re less likely to form embryos — and ultimately babies. You may think that means you should freeze your eggs as soon as possible. But research shows that many women who freeze in their mid to late 20s never end up using their frozen eggs. 

Most experts agree that egg freezing is best for people in their late 20s to early 30s, and it should ideally be done before the age of 38.  

How long does the egg freezing cycle take?

Oocyte preservation is time consuming, but cycles are relatively short. Each cycle takes between 10 to 15 days. But you also need to factor in the time for pre-cycle office visits. During these visits you’ll have a baseline ultrasound and blood work. You’ll also learn how to give yourself injections so you can use fertility medications. 

During the cycle you’ll need to go for ultrasound and blood work monitoring almost every day. And finally you’ll go for your egg retrieval. An egg retrieval is a short procedure. But because you’ll need anesthesia, you’ll need to get a ride to and from the appointment and take a day off work or school. 

What is the success rate for pregnancies from frozen eggs?

Pregnancy rates vary by age at egg collection. A single round of egg freezing gives many people an excellent chance at pregnancy. There is research that estimates success rates based on a person’s age. Using this research, your healthcare provider can help you determine what your success rate is likely to be. 

How much does egg freezing cost?

The expenses of freezing eggs can quickly add up. If you have a medical condition that could affect your fertility, your insurance may cover egg freezing. But if you’re doing planned egg freezing, you'll pay most — if not all — of the cost out of pocket. 

An entire cycle — including medications, blood tests, ultrasounds, the egg retrieval procedure, and anesthesia — can cost between $6,000 and $10,000. After the collection, the eggs must be stored in a special facility until you decide to use them. Storage typically costs about $600 per year. Insurance may not cover egg storage, even if you’re having oocyte cryopreservation for medical reasons. 

You can check with your insurance carrier to see if they cover planned egg freezing. You might also be able to use your HSA or FSA benefits to pay for cycle costs, including egg storage.  

Keep in mind

Oocyte cryopreservation is a powerful tool that allows people to preserve their fertility. It’s especially important for people who need medical treatment that can decrease their fertility. It’s generally safe and successful when done by an experienced medical team. But it doesn’t guarantee pregnancy or a live birth. You’ll need to consider the benefits, costs, and chances of success to decide if planned oocyte cryopreservation is right for you. 

Why trust our experts?

Written by:

Meredith Grace Merkley, DO, FAAP

Meredith Grace Merkley, DO, FAAP, is a licensed, board-certified pediatrician with over a decade of work in community health. She serves as the medical director of a school-based health clinic at a federally funded health center.

Edited by:

Patricia Pinto-Garcia, MD, MPH

Patricia Pinto-Garcia, MD, MPH, is a medical editor at GoodRx. She is a licensed, board-certified pediatrician with more than a decade of experience in academic medicine.

Our editorial standards

Meet our experts