Pros and Cons of Freezing Your Eggs: Should You Do It?

If you're thinking about your future family goals but aren’t quite ready, you may have considered freezing your eggs. Egg freezing, also known as oocyte cryopreservation, is becoming an increasingly popular option for women who want to preserve their fertility. But how do you know if it’s the right choice for you? 

At the Center for Reproductive Medicine, we believe informed decisions lead to empowered journeys. Here’s what you need to know about the benefits and limitations of egg freezing—so you can make the best choice for your body, your goals, and your timeline. 

What is egg freezing? 

Egg freezing is a process where eggs are retrieved from your ovaries, frozen, and stored for potential use in the future. When you’re ready to start your family, the eggs can be thawed, fertilized with sperm through IVF, and transferred as embryos into the uterus. 

Why do people freeze their eggs? 

Women freeze their eggs for a variety of personal and medical reasons, including: 

• Not ready to have children yet but want to preserve fertility potential. 

• Pursuing education, career, or personal goals before parenthood. 

• No current partner but wish to have biological children in the future. 

• Undergoing medical treatments (like chemotherapy) that could impact fertility. 

• Family history of early menopause or diminished ovarian reserve. 

Pros of Freezing Your Eggs 

Preserves Fertility Potential - Egg freezing allows you to pause your biological clock by storing eggs when they are healthiest—typically in your 20s or early 30s. This gives you more flexibility in deciding when to start a family. 

Reduces Future Fertility Anxiety - Knowing that you have frozen eggs can offer peace of mind and relieve pressure around finding the “right time” or partner for parenthood. 

Protects Against Age - Related Fertility Decline - As you age, both the quantity and quality of your eggs decline. By freezing eggs earlier, you increase your chances of successful pregnancy later—even into your 40s—using younger eggs. 

Empowers Choice and Flexibility - Egg freezing puts reproductive control back in your hands. Whether you're focused on your career, not in a relationship, or just not ready yet, freezing gives you options for the future. 

Fertility Preservation for Medical Reasons - If you’re undergoing medical protocols, such as certain treatments for cancer, that could negatively impact your fertility, freezing your eggs can preserve your eggs until you are ready to use them. 

Cons of Freezing Your Eggs 

It Doesn’t Guarantee a Baby - While egg freezing increases your chances of conceiving later, it’s not a guarantee. Some eggs may not survive thawing, fertilize, or develop into healthy embryos. 

Costs - Egg freezing involves costs for medications, monitoring, retrieval, and storage. While it is an investment, many patients are surprised to learn that there are financing options available and in some cases insurance coverage. 

It Requires a Commitment of Time - The egg retrieval process takes 2–3 weeks and involves hormone injections, monitoring visits, and a minor outpatient procedure to collect the eggs.  

The Best Results Come from Freezing at a Younger Age - While it’s possible to freeze eggs into your late 30s, success rates are higher when eggs are frozen in your 20s to early 30s.  

Is egg freezing right for you? 

The decision to freeze your eggs is highly personal. It depends on your current health, age, reproductive goals, and life plans. Here are a few questions to consider: 

• Am I planning to delay pregnancy for several years? 

• Do I want biological children in the future but don’t feel ready now? 

• Am I facing a medical diagnosis that could affect my fertility? 

• Would I feel more at ease knowing I have preserved eggs? 

At the Center for Reproductive Medicine, we provide personalized fertility assessments—including hormone testing (like AMH and FSH) and ovarian ultrasound—to help determine whether egg freezing is a strong option for you. 

Final Thoughts 

Egg freezing can be an empowering way to preserve your reproductive options, but it’s not the right path for everyone. The best way to decide is to talk to a fertility specialist who can walk you through your individual risks, benefits, and chances of success.