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If you're in your twenties, chances are your fertility, let alone freezing your eggs, isn’t top of mind. But with growing awareness about fertility and advancements in reproductive technology, many women are considering egg freezing earlier in life. So, what exactly is egg freezing? Let’s break down what it means, the benefits, and why taking this step earlier could be a smart and proactive investment in your reproductive future.
Understanding egg freezing
Egg freezing, or oocyte cryopreservation, is a process where a woman's eggs are extracted, frozen, and stored for future use. Egg freezing allows women to preserve younger (and likely healthier) eggs for future use, giving you more flexibility and time to decide when (or if) parenthood fits into your life.
Egg freezing is often pursued as part of the in-vitro fertilization (IVF) process, after a woman has already begun having trouble conceiving unassisted. However, an increasing number of women are turning to egg freezing as a proactive measure rather than a reactive one, freezing their eggs earlier should they need them down the line. Regardless of what your future fertility journey looks like, egg freezing provides optionality and peace of mind to figure it out on your own timeline.
That said, keep in mind that egg freezing isn’t a one-ticket ride to having a baby. Not every egg retrieved will survive the freezing process, and not all will fertilize or develop into a healthy pregnancy. Age still matters too, and your chances of a successful pregnancy and overall fertility decrease as you get older, though success rates can increase when using younger, previously-frozen eggs.
Why women choose to freeze their eggs
Egg freezing is a big decision and understanding the potential benefits might help you feel more confident and informed. Some of the most common reasons women in their twenties choose to freeze their eggs include:
You’re freezing your eggs at their best
You’re born with all the eggs you’ll ever have (ovarian reserve), and both the number and quality of those eggs start to decline over time. Freezing eggs in your twenties can ensure that you're preserving them at their healthiest and most viable state, which may increase your chances of a future successful pregnancy.
More empowerment and autonomy
Freezing your eggs gives you the ability to plan your life on your terms and take control of your reproductive timeline. Whether you want to finish school, build your career, travel, or just aren’t ready to start a family, it takes some of the pressure off your biological clock. Starting a family should begin with options that align with your life plans.
Egg freezing gives you more time to think about family planning, especially if you’re not ready in your twenties or early thirties or if you're going through medical treatments that may impact your fertility. It also gives you more time if you’re waiting to meet the right partner.
It can lower the risk of genetic issues
With Cofertility’s Split program, members who qualify can freeze their eggs for free when they donate half of the eggs retrieved to a family who can’t otherwise conceive.
Freezing your eggs at a younger age can lower the risk of age-related chromosomal abnormalities, like Down syndrome, for future children conceived from those eggs.
More paths to biological parenthood
Whether you carry the pregnancy yourself, your partner does, or you work with a gestational carrier, freezing your eggs gives you the freedom to explore different paths to parenthood when the time feels right for you.
Less pressure from the ticking clock
That quiet (or not-so-quiet) worry about time running out on your biological clock can be a heavy weight to carry. Egg freezing can ease that stress, and knowing your younger, healthier eggs are stored safely can bring serious peace of mind. It can help you focus on living your life now, without feeling rushed into decisions you’re not ready to make.
Why should I freeze my eggs when I'm young?
There’s no one-size-fits-all age to freeze your eggs, but research shows that the earlier you do it, the better your chances for future fertility success. The most ideal time is in your twenties or early thirties, when your ovarian reserve is higher and your eggs are at their healthiest state. Freezing them at this stage gives you the best odds if you decide to use them later.
However, it’s an unfortunate reality that the best time to freeze your eggs is often when you can least afford it. If you’re focusing on other priorities outside of family building and looking for more a more accessible way to freeze your eggs, there are fertility financing options out there, or you may consider egg sharing programs like Cofertility, which give women the opportunity to freeze their eggs for free when they donate half of the eggs retrieved to another family.
Does egg freezing affect my fertility later?
No, freezing your eggs doesn’t harm your future fertility or your ability to get pregnant unassisted.
Egg freezing rescues all the other eggs that would have died during a normal menstrual cycle, and preserves them for future use. Plus, egg freezing doesn't lower your ovarian reserve, and it wont stop your body from ovulating. After the egg freezing procedure, your body will continue to have a menstrual cycle and ovulate.
Considerations before making the decision
Egg freezing can offer a lot of freedom and peace of mind — but like any big decision, it’s important to go in with your eyes wide open. Here are a few things to consider:
Physical and emotional commitment
The process involves hormone injections, medical appointments, and a minor surgical procedure for egg retrieval. It’s totally doable, but it helps to be prepared for both the physical and emotional ups and downs that can come with it.
Financial implications
Costs can vary and can depend on the number of cycles you undergo to retrieve eggs and storage time. Egg freezing can cost between $10,000 to $20,000 for one cycle, and that doesn't include storage or additional fees.
While affordability can be a challenge for many, companies like Cofertility offer cost-effective solutions, even the opportunity to freeze your eggs entirely for free when you donate half of the eggs retrieved to another family.
No absolute guarantees: While freezing eggs increases the chances of future pregnancy, it’s not a sure thing. Success rates depend on various factors, including the number of age, eggs frozen, and individual health circumstances.
Egg freezing is a personal decision
At the end of the day, egg freezing is a deeply personal decision. There’s no one “right” choice, only the one that feels right for you. It’s not about pressure or panic — it’s about power and planning. Whether you're focused on your career, waiting to meet the right partner, managing a health condition, or simply not ready for kids right now, freezing your eggs is a way to give yourself more time, options, and autonomy.
It’s okay to have questions, feel unsure, or take your time deciding. Cofertility is a supportive, informative resource designed to make egg freezing more accessible and to guide you through every step of your family-building journey. No matter where you’re starting from, what matters most is that the choice is yours. Egg freezing isn’t about changing your path — it’s about creating more options, keeping the door open, and building the life and family that feels right for you.