fertility products

In today's world, we crave convenience and control in every aspect of our lives, and our reproductive health is no exception. Thanks to at-home fertility testing, gone are the days of waiting for doctor's appointments and lab results to gain insights into our reproductive health. Thanks to advancements in medical technology, we now have the power to test our fertility hormone levels from the comfort of our own homes. 

At-home fertility testing has emerged as a game-changer, offering convenience, privacy, and valuable information to those who want to take charge of their reproductive journey. In this article, we will delve into the fascinating world of at-home fertility testing, exploring its benefits, the top tests available, and why testing your fertility before considering options like egg freezing is crucial.

What is fertility testing?

When you hear “fertility testing,” this generally refers to tests that help indicate your ovarian reserve. As we age, our fertility naturally declines. This is totally normal, and due to fewer eggs in the ovaries, a decrease in egg quality, and an increase in chromosomal abnormalities of the remaining eggs. These collective factors contribute to lower pregnancy rates and higher miscarriage rates as we approach age 40.

While the decline in fertility happens to ALL of us, the specific age when we can no longer conceive varies from individual to individual. And in some cases, it may be earlier than we expected.

To assess your fertility potential, including your ovarian reserve, several tests are available that can give us clues to our reproductive capabilities. These tests can also help fertility doctors evaluate the likelihood of a successful pregnancy, and guide you in making informed decisions regarding family planning and fertility treatments.

Ovarian reserve testing is just one type of fertility testing. A full fertility assessment involves assessing various aspects of reproductive health to determine your fertility potential. These tests help identify any underlying issues that may affect fertility and guide individuals in making informed decisions about their reproductive choices. 

Should I test my fertility before egg freezing?

Absolutely. Before freezing your eggs, you will undergo a battery of tests to evaluate your ovarian reserve, hormone levels, and overall reproductive health. This can help you make informed decisions about the optimal timing for the procedure, setting realistic expectations, and maximizing the chances of successful outcomes.

By undergoing fertility testing before egg freezing, you gain insights into your ovarian reserve, which refers to the quantity of eggs remaining in your ovaries. Ovarian reserve testing typically involves measuring hormones such as Anti-Müllerian Hormone (AMH) and Follicle-Stimulating Hormone (FSH). These hormones play a pivotal role in follicle development and the maturation of eggs within the ovaries. Understanding your ovarian reserve gives you a realistic understanding of your reproductive potential and helps determine the optimal timing for egg freezing. In fact, your hormones (including AMH) are correlated with egg retrieval outcomes, even more so than your age. 

Fertility testing before egg freezing also allows you to identify any underlying reproductive health issues that may affect the success of the procedure. For example, testing can reveal conditions such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) or hormonal imbalances that may impact ovulation. By addressing these issues before undergoing egg freezing, you can maximize the chances of successful egg retrieval and future fertility treatments.

Best at-home fertility tests of 2024

If you’re not yet ready to see a fertility doctor and would prefer to do some at-home testing first, that’s totally possible. In this section, we review three of the top at-home fertility tests available in 2024, considering their features, pricing, hormones tested, and benefits:

LetsGetChecked Ovarian Reserve Test

Cost: $139 

Hormones measured: AMH

Why we like it: While it only tests one hormone, the test is simple and fast. It’s also the least expensive of the three, plus you can get 25% off with code COFERTILITY25.

Oova Fertility Hormone Kit

Cost: $159 one-time kit, $129 per month for membership

Hormones measured: estradiol, LSH, progesterone

Why we like it: Although this test is designed to give a peek at cycle insights vs. ovarian reserve, we’re suckers for data. Oova’s continuous testing model helps track hormone data over time — important information to know when planning for your fertility future. To score 10% off your first order, be sure to follow our link here.

‍Natalist Women’s Fertility Test 

Cost: $149

Hormones measured: estradiol, LH, FSH, TSH, and total testosterone

Why we like it: Natalist provides comprehensive insights into ovarian reserve, empowering individuals to assess their fertility potential in the comfort of their own homes. Plus, it’s a woman-owned and woman-run company. Use Cofertility20 for 20% off your entire purchase.

Choosing the right at-home fertility test

When it comes to at-home fertility testing, you’ll want to find the right test that meets your specific needs and provides accurate and reliable results. Here are some factors to consider when selecting an at-home fertility test:

Hormones measured

Different at-home fertility tests measure varying combinations of hormones. Consider which hormones are most relevant to your fertility concerns. Commonly tested hormones include Anti-Müllerian Hormone (AMH), Follicle-Stimulating Hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), estradiol, progesterone, and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH). Understanding which hormones are included in the test can help you assess if it aligns with your fertility goals.

Testing method 

At-home fertility tests utilize different testing methods, such as urine-based tests or blood spot tests. Consider your preference and comfort level with the testing method. Urine-based tests are convenient and non-invasive, while blood spot tests require a small finger prick for blood sample collection. Choose the method that suits you best.

Accuracy and reliability

Look for at-home fertility tests that have been validated and proven to provide accurate and reliable results. Read customer reviews and check for any certifications or endorsements from reputable organizations. Accuracy is crucial when making important decisions about your fertility, so opt for tests that have a track record of producing reliable results.

Cost 

Consider the cost of the at-home fertility test. Prices may vary depending on the brand and the number of hormones tested. Determine your budget and compare the prices of different tests to find one that offers good value for money. Keep in mind that fertility testing is an investment in your reproductive health and future, so prioritize quality and accuracy over cost alone.

Bonus features

Some at-home fertility tests offer additional features or services that can enhance your testing experience. For example, some tests provide personalized reports with detailed explanations of your results and recommendations. Others may offer access to fertility experts or provide educational resources to help you understand your fertility better. Consider these additional features and, if you think you’ll use them, choose a test that aligns with your preferences and needs.

What can an at-home fertility test tell me?

Fertility tests are powerful tools that provide valuable insights into your reproductive health and potential. They offer a comprehensive assessment of various aspects of your fertility, allowing you to understand your body's unique dynamics and make informed decisions about your reproductive future. 

Ovarian reserve testing measures the quantity of eggs remaining in your ovaries. In particular, hormone tests that examine your AMH and FSH levels provide information about the quantity of eggs available for fertilization. These tests can give you an indication of your ovarian reserve and help determine the optimal timing for egg freezing, fertility treatments, and family planning options.

Fertility tests assess the levels of various hormones involved in reproductive health. Abnormal hormone levels can indicate something that may affect your fertility down the line. For example, conditions such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) or thyroid disorders can impact fertility and require targeted treatment. By identifying any issues early on, you and your healthcare provider can proactively tackle any underlying issues.

Keep in mind that fertility tests provide a snapshot of your reproductive health at a specific point in time. They offer valuable information but do not guarantee future fertility or pregnancy outcomes. You’ll want to discuss the results of your fertility tests with your doctor who can interpret the findings in the context of your individual circumstances.

What *can’t* an at-home fertility test tell me?

While fertility tests can provide valuable insights into your reproductive health, it's important to understand their limitations. 

One of the common misconceptions is that fertility tests, particularly AMH, can predict your chances of getting pregnant unassisted. In fact, studies have shown that AMH is not related to time to pregnancy. 

Fertility tests cannot provide a definitive prediction of your ability to conceive without assistance. Beyond just ovarian reserve, fertility is a complex interplay of various factors, including egg quality, sperm quality, uterine health, and overall reproductive function. The test results can give you an indication of your ovarian reserve and potential response to egg freezing or IVF, but they cannot guarantee unassisted conception.

Fertility tests provide insights into your current fertility status but cannot predict your fertility potential in the future. Your reproductive health will change over time due to various factors, including age, lifestyle choices, and underlying medical conditions. So even if your fertility test results are within the normal range, it does not guarantee that your fertility will remain the same in the future. Regular monitoring and discussions with your healthcare provider are essential to track any changes in your fertility health over time.

Understanding the limitations of fertility tests can help manage expectations and help you make informed decisions. It's important to view these tests as tools to assess certain aspects of your fertility health, but not as definitive predictors of your reproductive journey. Consulting with a fertility doctor can help you interpret the test results in the context of your individual circumstances and guide you through the next steps in your fertility journey.

Summing it up

By understanding what fertility tests can and can’t tell you, you gain valuable knowledge about your reproductive health and fertility potential. This knowledge empowers you to make informed decisions about family planning, seek appropriate medical intervention if necessary, and take proactive steps to optimize your fertility. Fertility tests are a vital tool in the journey towards building the family you desire, providing valuable insights that can guide you on the path to reproductive success.

However, it's important to remember that fertility tests have their limitations. They provide a snapshot of your fertility health at a specific point in time and cannot guarantee future outcomes. It's crucial to interpret the test results in the context of your individual circumstances and consult with a fertility doctor for a comprehensive evaluation of your reproductive health.

Ultimately, knowledge is power, and by understanding your fertility health, you are better equipped to make decisions that align with your personal goals and aspirations. Embrace the opportunities offered by at-home fertility testing, stay informed, and engage with fertility doctors who can provide guidance and support throughout your reproductive journey. With the right information and support, you can take charge of your fertility and empower yourself.

If you are interested in freezing your eggs, we can help! Our Freeze by Co platform is making egg freezing more empowering, positive, and accessible — even free — when you give half of the eggs retrieved to a family who can’t otherwise conceive.

As if choosing to freeze or donate your eggs isn’t a big enough decision — now it’s time to choose who you’re going to work with to do it. With a seemingly endless number of fertility clinics, agencies, and egg banks to choose from (some with more questionable marketing tactics than others), we know how daunting this decision can feel. We’re firm believers in the power of community and know that the best way to make a decision as big as this one is to hear firsthand from other people who have gone through the process themselves. We asked some of our Split members and intended parents about why they chose Cofertility and their experiences so far. Keep reading to see what they had to say.

Why Cofertility?

"Physicians are often forced to sacrifice their most fertile years for their training, and that becomes such a huge source of anxiety for so many female doctors.

This is an opportunity to preserve some of your fertility while doing something amazing for another family." - Christina, Split member

“Something that has held me back from starting a family is financial limitations. However, if I could give someone the opportunity while I pursue my career in hopes of becoming financially unlimited, that would be amazing. ” - Nancy, Split member

"As a fourth year med student, I'm at a stage in my life where having a family isn't really an option and it won't be for 5-10 years. This idea is just beautiful. I can't believe we didn't figure something like this out sooner." - Emily, Split member

“I am incredibly independent and feel that I want to best prepare myself to have options in the future if I have a child on my own or with a partner, that I can ensure a safe and healthy pregnancy in my future when I choose to do so. Entering my late 20s, I have seen more and more of my friends struggle with fertility issues and how incredibly difficult that process is. As a long time nanny, there's nothing more that makes me happy than knowing how love a child can be, so why not be part of that journey!” Claire, Split member

Hear from some of our matched Split members

“Once I met the prospective parents, it was clear they selected me more for my personality than any physical attributes. Overall, I’ve felt like I’m valued as a complete person, not just for my eggs—and they’re so happy to help me on my fertility journey as well.” - Kristen, Split member.”

“[It was important to me to match with a couple] where at least one person was African American. I was also drawn to helping another queer couple in this process. Fortunately, there’s a lot of autonomy and flexibility in terms of what this [journey] looks like for each person.” - Arianna, Split member

Hear from Intended Parents

“We feel so lucky to have come across Cofertility as we’re making the most important decision of our life. They’ve taken what’s become a depersonalized journey and made it into something deeply emotional. They take the time to get to know Intended Parents and Split Members to make sure it’s a perfectly aligned match all around." - Mark & Chirag, Cofertility intended parents

Start your egg freezing journey with Cofertility

Working with Cofertility means working with a platform that honors donors, intended parents, and donor-conceived people alike. We’re here to make your egg freezing journey the human-centered, accessible, and just plain better experience that you deserve with our two unique programs.

With our Split program, members who qualify based on clinic criteria can freeze their eggs entirely for free when they donate half to a family that can’t otherwise conceive.

Through our Keep program, members self-fund their egg freezing journey and keep the entire egg yield for themselves, with discounts and support from our team every step of the way.

With both programs, members also get exclusive access to our members-only community, where they can connect with others going through the egg freezing and donation processes at the same time and lean on each other for support and encouragement.

To see which programs you qualify for and start your journey today, click the link below to take our free, two-minute quiz.

One of the most commonly asked questions we hear from people considering freezing their eggs is if they’ll gain weight during the process. Hey, we get it — it’s a fair question, and while there have been tons of advancements in the egg freezing process, there’s still lots of misinformation out there about it all. Through a comprehensive exploration of the egg freezing process, hormonal shifts, medications, and lifestyle aspects, we’re here to set the record straight about weight gain and egg freezing. 

A closer look at the egg freezing process

Before we jump into potential weight implications of the egg freezing process, it’s essential to understand what that process actually entails. Egg freezing revolves around controlled ovarian stimulation, which basically means taking daily hormonal medications for about 10-12 days to stimulate your ovaries to produce more eggs than usual in a single cycle. Right before you ovulate, when those eggs are at peak maturity, a reproductive endocrinologist will retrieve those eggs while you’re under anesthesia. 

In egg freezing, mature eggs are collected, frozen, and stored for your own potential future use, whereas in egg donation, the retrieved eggs are contributed to assist those who need help from an egg donor to grow their family — including gay dads, those with infertility, cancer survivors, and more. Whether you’re freezing your eggs, donating them, or both via our Split program (where you freeze for free when donating half), the stimulation process may cause concerns about potential weight changes due to hormonal shifts and medications. If this is you, you’re in the right place, and we’ll explain it all.

Dispelling weight-related myths: the what and the why

While scientific studies about this subject are limited, most fertility doctors say that, while some weight gain can be a side effect during the egg freezing process, it is unlikely for noticeable weight gain to persist beyond the retrieval cycle. It’s possible to experience slight weight fluctuations during the retrieval cycle, but these changes are typically attributed to factors like temporary fluid retention and abdominal bloating rather than significant fat accumulation. 

Not everyone experiences weight change during the egg freezing process (you could actually lose weight if you’re stressed about the experience for one reason or another and don’t have an appetite), but for those who do, it is not usually substantial or enduring.

Egg freezing medications

Some of the medications involved in your egg freezing protocol can also play a role in minor weight changes. The controlled ovarian stimulation process involves the administration of hormonal medications, primarily follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), and luteinizing hormone (LH). These medications are crucial for encouraging your ovaries to develop more mature eggs during that cycle. But because these medications can influence appetite and metabolism regulation, this could lead to small weight fluctuations. 

Once you stop taking these medications, any fluctuations resulting from temporary fluid retention will likely dissipate, and these effects are generally transient. 

Lifestyle factors and their impact

Beyond medications, lifestyle factors also play a role in potential weight fluctuations during an egg freezing cycle. But regardless of your weight, we want you to feel your best throughout your egg freezing cycle. 

Nourishing your wellbeing

Egg freezing or not, a well-balanced diet rich in nutrients supports your body's overall functioning. Incorporating whole foods, lean proteins, whole grains, fruits, and vegetables fosters a sense of wellbeing and provides energy throughout the egg freezing process. But in addition to helping you feel good, eating a balanced diet may have a positive impact upon your egg freezing cycle itself. And certain foods rich in specific nutrients may actually impact your egg quality. 

For more on what to eat if you’re freezing your eggs, click here.

Rest and stress management

Ensuring adequate rest is vital during the egg freezing journey. Your egg freezing medications may influence your energy levels, underscoring the importance of listening to your body's cues. Stress can also influence weight fluctuations (in either direction), making stress management an essential aspect of wellbeing during the egg freezing process. 

Prioritizing rest allows your body to recover, and if you’re trying to maintain a stable weight, it can help support that. Our recommendation? Block off some time, load up on shows to watch, plan some cozy nights, and take egg freezing as an excuse to just chill (if you can). Your egg freezing cycle might also be the perfect time to finally download that meditation app you’ve been planning to try.

Egg freezing and BMI

While we’re on the subject of weight gain and egg freezing, you may be wondering if your weight itself plays a role in predicting your cycle outcomes. There’s a lot of conflicting research out there about this, but when it comes to egg donation in particular, fertility clinics often do have BMI limitations in place. For egg freezing, you may be subject to similar BMI requirements as set out by clinic partners, but it is typically more flexible than if you are donating eggs to another family. 

The more you know

To sum it up — yes, sometimes people gain a little weight during the egg freezing process (and other times they lose a little weight). But it’s usually not a noticeable change given how the egg freezing cycle lasts under two weeks. If you have specific concerns related to weight gain during egg freezing, we encourage you to consult with your fertility doctor who can provide personalized guidance based on your weight and health history.

As you think through your options, we encourage you to explore our quiz to see which of our accessible egg freezing programs you may qualify for. 

With our Split program, members who qualify based on clinic criteria can freeze their eggs entirely for free when they donate half to a family that can’t otherwise conceive.

Through our Keep program, members self-fund their egg freezing journey and keep the entire egg yield for themselves, with discounts and support from our team every step of the way.

With both programs, members also get exclusive access to our members-only community, where they can connect with others going through the egg freezing and donation processes at the same time and lean on each other for support and encouragement.

To see which programs you qualify for and start your journey today, click the link below to take our free, two-minute quiz.

The gift registry has been a cultural institution for pivotal life moments — from the gilded spoons and Ninja blenders of wedding registries to the cute little onesies of baby shower lists. These wish lists give friends and family an easy way to provide support that you actually want. 

But what if we took this concept and applied it to another life milestone that is also super exciting? This brings us to the idea of an egg freezing registry. Yes, you heard that right. An egg freezing registry.

On Sex and the City, after celebrating countless weddings and babies, Carrie Bradshaw famously took matters into her own hands and created her own registry in honor of her marriage to herself. Her registry had just one item — a pair of Manolo Blahnik shoes. Our take? If Carrie can celebrate herself, you can, too. Especially when you’re doing something so incredible for your future as freezing your eggs. 

Why you deserve an egg freezing registry

You may be wondering, particularly in a society that still wrestles with norms surrounding reproductive choices, as to whether you “deserve” to have a registry for something as personal and medical as egg freezing. The answer is a resounding YES, and here’s why.

Normalizing reproductive autonomy

Creating a registry for egg freezing can help normalize the conversation around reproductive autonomy and shatter persisting taboos. Women have long been subject to societal pressures about when and how they should have children. The ability to crowdfund one’s egg freezing process (or at least get some goodies covered) is a bold statement of agency, positioning the egg freezer not as a subject of societal expectations but as an architect of her own life.

Creating a registry for egg freezing can help normalize the conversation around reproductive autonomy and shatter persisting taboos.

Solidifying social support

The explicit act of creating a registry — and having loved ones contribute to it — serves as a profound endorsement of your choices. The communal act of contributing to a registry can offer emotional sustenance and make sure you know that your community is invested in your well-being, present and future.

Lessening the financial load

Financial obstacles should not dictate reproductive choices. Just as registries for weddings or baby showers are widely accepted tools for “getting someone started” with the essentials, an egg freezing registry is a legitimate way to help offset some of the costs.

A reimagined social contract

Finally, having an egg freezing registry reinforces a modernized social contract. At its core, a registry is an agreement among a community that signifies its collective investment in a significant life event. Weddings are not just about the couple, and baby showers are not just about the parents; they are about a larger circle of family and friends who will interact with that couple or child and want to support and celebrate them. Similarly, an egg freezing registry proclaims that a woman's reproductive choices are worth communal support, thus redefining the very ethos of what our social contracts can include.

So, do you deserve to have an egg freezing registry? Absolutely. In doing so, you're not only giving yourself the gift of choice but also expanding the societal dialogue around what choice can and should look like.

What should I add to my egg freezing registry?

One of the most exciting possibilities of an egg freezing registry is the potential to ask for specific add-ons that could aid in your egg freezing journey. Here are some ideas:

• Nutritional supplements: Omega-3s, prenatal vitamins, and other supplements to prepare your body for your cycle.
• Heating pad: Useful for post-procedure comfort and relief from cramps.
• Fuzzy socks: These make the often-cold clinic rooms and stirrup-bound procedures markedly more comfortable.
• Chocolates/other treats: Emotional well-being is part and parcel of the egg freezing journey; indulgent treats can serve as small but potent morale boosters.
• Wellness packages: Sessions for acupuncture or fertility yoga, aimed at enhancing both emotional and physical well-being.
• Books and journals: Literature on reproductive health, fertility journeys, or self-reflective journals.
• Travel vouchers: For those who choose clinics far from home, these can cover transportation or even lodging costs.
• Food delivery/meal prep: Gift cards to services like Doordash, Uber Eats, HelloFresh, Goldbelly, can help keep you well fed during the egg freezing period. 
• Bath bombs: For pre- or post-procedure relaxation, because a soothing bath can be a sanctuary in stressful times.
• Other relaxation aids: Consider adding aromatherapy oils, scented candles, or a premium-quality eye mask for deep relaxation.

You’ll want to diversify the options on your registry to make it easier for contributors to select gifts that align with their budget and your needs. These practical and comfort-focused gifts not only provide material relief but also serve as tokens of emotional support from your community.

Tips for hosting and sharing your egg freezing registry

So where could you host such a registry? Existing platforms could easily be adapted for this purpose. A few possibilities include:

• Amazon: Given its almost universal reach and diverse product range.
• Target: A favorite for baby shower registries, the leap to egg freezing isn't a big one.
• GoFundMe: Already a popular choice for medical crowdfunding, this platform could provide a natural fit if you just need cash.
• Meal Train: Makes it easy for friends and family to help feed you!

Spreading the word about your egg freezing registry

Creating the registry is the first half of the equation; sharing it with your network is the other, equally nuanced, half. The act of disseminating your egg freezing registry becomes not just an invitation for contributions but also an opening for dialogue, education, and emotional connection. 

Much like sharing any significant life news, timing is pivotal. You may want to inform the closest people in your life individually before broadcasting it more broadly. 

When you share your registry, include a personalized message explaining why you've chosen to freeze your eggs and how their support can be instrumental. This humanizes what might otherwise seem like a straightforward transaction, adding layers of meaning and context.

We recommend emphasizing that you appreciate any support or celebration and that there is zero pressure to contribute. There are multiple ways to show support, be it emotional or material. This may be especially helpful to include, as some recipients may be financially constrained or morally conflicted.

As your journey progresses, keeping your contributors updated adds an extra layer of engagement and acknowledgment. It’s an opportunity to show the impact of their support, which goes beyond monetary contributions and enters the realm of emotional sustenance.

Creating an egg freezing registry is more than a logistical step; it’s an emotional and sociocultural undertaking that can serve various roles: a litmus test for societal progress, a platform for dialogue, and an arena for collective emotional investment. Navigate it with the same sensitivity and thoughtfulness you applied when deciding to freeze your eggs in the first place, and you can open up spaces not just for communal contributions but for meaningful human connections as well.

Freeze your eggs with Cofertility

We’d love the opportunity to support you on your egg freezing journey.

Through our Split program, qualified freezers can freeze their eggs for free when donating half of the eggs retrieved to a family who can’t otherwise conceive.

Through our Keep program — where you keep 100% of eggs retrieved for your own future use — we offer exclusive discounts on expenses, such as frozen egg storage. Keep members also still gain free access to our Freeze by Co Community, a safe space for those engaging in the egg freezing process (or gearing up for it) to connect and lean on each other.

By making egg freezing easier and more accessible, our programs further strengthen the American Society of Reproductive Medicine (ASRM)’s Committee opinion that egg freezing can help promote social justice and strengthen gender equality.

Egg freezing, also known as oocyte cryopreservation, is a process where a woman's eggs are retrieved, frozen, and stored for later use. This allows women to preserve their eggs at their current age, potentially increasing their chances of having a biological child in the future.

Egg freezing is becoming more and more common, with a 30% increase in egg-freezing cycles from 2021 to 2022 alone! 

I’m Dr. Meera Shah, a double-board certified OBGYN and Reproductive Endocrinologist (REI). I have helped countless women freeze their eggs as a fertility doctor and as a Medical Advisor to Cofertility. This article is a guide to everything you need to know to make a confident, informed decision about egg freezing.

Why people choose to freeze their eggs

There are many reasons why women opt for egg freezing. Here are some of the most common reasons we hear:

• Focusing on other priorities: Women focusing on career or personal goals can freeze their eggs until they're ready to start a family.
• Waiting for the right partner: As the average age of first marriage continues to rise, some women choose to freeze their eggs instead of rushing into a marriage.
• Medical reasons: Women facing medical conditions or treatments that could impact fertility, such as chemotherapy or radiation, can freeze their eggs before undergoing these treatments.
• Genetic predisposition: Women with a family history of early menopause may choose to freeze their eggs to ensure they have viable eggs for future use.
• Peace of mind: Some women simply want the peace of mind knowing they have a backup plan for their fertility.

At what age should you freeze your eggs?

There is no perfect age at which to freeze your eggs. However, the younger you can do it, the better. According to the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM), an optimal time to freeze your eggs is in your 20s and early 30s, while you have a higher ovarian reserve and eggs are healthier. 

A large 2020 study at a fertility clinic that specializes in this area looked at egg freezing cycles for over 1,200 people. It compared the average number of eggs people of different ages were able to freeze versus the “optimal” or goal number of eggs they should freeze. This goal number was based on how many eggs would give them a 70% live birth rate after doing 1 or 2 egg freezing cycles (this rate is calculated using some other numbers and it typically goes up as we age to make up for the lower number of healthy eggs). 

The study found that younger people, unsurprisingly, have an easier time freezing the goal number of eggs in one cycle. As people aged, they needed multiple egg freezing cycles to reach that goal number.

Read more in What’s the Best Age to Freeze My Eggs?

Is it worth freezing eggs after age 35?

The findings from the study above bring up a common question–is it worth freezing eggs after age 35? Well, it depends. The ASRM does not recommend egg freezing for people older than 38, but this isn’t a strict cutoff. 

Your biological clock is not a cliff. Everyone’s fertility decreases down at a different rate. Having your fertility hormones checked can sometimes help you and your doctor get a general idea of your ovarian reserve and chance of a future pregnancy. This can better help you decide if egg freezing is right for you.

Egg freezing success rates by age

Success rates with egg freezing depend on a lot of factors: your health, your ovarian reserve, your response to egg freezing medication, and the quality of the clinic. That being said, generally, younger women have higher success rates due to better egg quantity and quality. 

A study of 1,241 women found that the average number of eggs retrieved on the first egg freezing round was:

• 21 eggs for women under 35
• 17 eggs for women 35-37
• 14 eggs for women 38-40

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Because women in their 30s tend to produce less eggs, at this age you may end up having to either settle for fewer eggs for freezing or undergo multiple rounds to collect enough eggs to have on hand for later implantation. As you can imagine, those costs can creep higher and higher the more rounds you endure. 

Now, you might be thinking: isn’t 14 eggs a lot?  It’s true that eggs retrieved from women under the age of 36 will have a 95 percent survival rate after being thawed.  But, not all thawed eggs will become viable embryos and lead to a live birth. The probability of a live birth varies with the age of the woman trying to conceive and the number of mature eggs available. In short, the older the woman, the more eggs required to achieve a high probability of a live birth. 

A study in the Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics further supports this point. For example, a woman under 35 will need nine eggs to achieve a 70% chance of having at least one live birth. If you’re trying to conceive in your mid to late 30s, you may need double as many eggs to achieve that same 70% success rate. 

The right number of eggs to freeze for your age

Different folks have different reasons for freezing their eggs. Some may be thinking about prolonging their fertility into the future. Others may be freezing some eggs but also hoping to donate some eggs to help others grow a family — something that’s done via our Split program, where you freeze for free when donating half of the eggs to a family that can’t otherwise conceive. 

Either way, studies have found that the optimal number of eggs to freeze really comes down to your age. That’s because the number of eggs in the body isn’t the only thing to decrease as you get older — egg quality decreases too, and egg quality is the number one factor in determining whether an egg can eventually result in a live birth. 

Here are the number of eggs you’ll want to freeze based on your age in order to obtain an optimal live birth rate:

Should I do multiple egg retrievals?

What happens if you don’t get as many eggs as you had hoped during your egg retrieval cycle? 

If you’ve undergone one round of egg freezing and the number of eggs your reproductive endocrinologist retrieved from your ovaries wasn’t as high as you’d hoped, you may want to talk to them about trying again. A fertility specialist can help you talk through all of your options.

There is technically no limit to the number of egg freezing rounds a person can undergo, but it’s not recommended that egg donors undergo more than six cycles. If you’re hoping to split your eggs with intended parents (donating half of the eggs retrieved) as part of our Split Program, you may find that additional retrievals help you provide the optimal amount of eggs for a live birth for you and for the intentend parents too. 

The right number of eggs to freeze to have multiple children

If you’re planning to have a big family one day, you may want to look at the number of eggs it’s recommended you freeze to achieve one live birth and talk to your Reproductive Endocrinologist (REI) about freezing more eggs. 

As we shared above, a woman under age 35 will need to freeze about nine eggs to achieve a 70% chance of a successful pregnancy and live birth. If you’re under age 35 now and thinking you might want to use frozen eggs to conceive twice in your future, you will want to freeze closer to 18 eggs.

The number of eggs necessary will increase with your age at time of the retrieval, and the number of children you hope to have via those eggs. 

Can frozen eggs guarantee a successful pregnancy in the future?

When trying to decide if you should freeze your eggs, it’s important to know that egg freezing is not an “insurance policy” for your fertility. While egg freezing can take some of the stress of having a baby right now off your shoulders, it is not a guarantee that you’ll have a baby in the future. 

Why not? Well, for one, not all the eggs that get frozen will actually be viable. It’s expected that some eggs will not survive the warming process when it comes time to use the eggs. In addition, the chances of the eggs that do survive being successfully fertilized depends on a variety of factors, including how old you were when you froze them (more on this later). 

This is not to sway your decision one way or another. Ultimately, only you and your doctor can decide if egg freezing is the right decision for you. But it's important to go in knowing that it’s not meant to be a done deal. As egg freezing has gotten more popular, many companies will gloss over this fact. We don't think that's right and want to be straight with you from the outset.

Freezing your eggs when you’re unsure if you want kids

Perhaps the biggest benefit of egg freezing is that it puts the decision-making power entirely in your hands. Whether you’re freezing your eggs because you want to focus on your career or you’re about to undergo medical treatment that may affect your fertility later on, or you’re waiting to find the right partner, freezing your eggs allows you to preserve some of your fertility independently. 

While you might not be sure about having kids today, if you do decide you want kids down the road, especially if you’re in your mid- to late-thirties, having eggs on ice will increase the chances that you’re able to do so.

Know this: most people do not regret their egg retrieval procedure. We looked at five studies on egg freezing. The rates of regret reported in these studies varied, likely due to the sample size, study design, and the follow-up period. However, taken together, these studies suggest that the vast majority of those who freeze their eggs have zero regrets.

There also appear to be factors that reduce the chances of regret, including feeling fully informed beforehand, and getting adequate support during the egg freezing process. In other words, if you take the time to think things through and feel supported throughout the journey, you’re less likely to regret making this decision for yourself.

The egg freezing process: step-by-step

The egg freezing process is about a two-week journey. You will work closely with a Reproductive Endocrinologist (fertility doctor) and the clinic team throughout the process. 

Here's a detailed breakdown of what you can expect from start to finish, and beyond:

1. Ovarian stimulation: You'll take hormone medications to stimulate your ovaries to produce multiple eggs, and have multiple monitoring appointments and blood tests to see how the eggs are maturing.
2. Egg retrieval: Your eggs will be retrieved through a minor surgical procedure using ultrasound guidance.
3. Vitrification: Your eggs will be rapidly frozen using a technique called vitrification, which helps preserve their quality.
4. Storage: Your frozen eggs will be stored in a secure facility until you're ready to use them.
5. Thawing and fertilization: When you're ready to conceive, your eggs will be thawed, fertilized with sperm (either your partner's or a donor's), and transferred to your uterus.

Will egg freezing hurt my future fertility?

Egg freezing actually rescues all the other eggs that your body would otherwise allow to die during a normal menstrual cycle. So the process of egg freezing doesn’t take anything away from your egg reserve, it actually helps you save some extra eggs! And since during each cycle, your body goes through the ovulation process again with a new set of competing eggs, your chances of getting pregnant unassisted in the future also aren’t affected by egg freezing. 

What egg freezing does do is give you additional options for if and when you’re ready to start growing your family.

Is egg freezing safe?

Like any other procedure, there are risks and side effects when freezing eggs, including risks of anesthesia, bleeding, pain, and infection. Thankfully, the majority of people who go through with it deal with side effects for a few days at most. When it comes to the ovaries themselves, they generally recover quickly. The overall data indicate that the potential risks of surgical complications from egg retrieval are generally very small. However, in people with a history of endometriosis, pelvic inflammatory disease, pelvic adhesions or previous pelvic surgery, the risks are slightly increased so make sure to speak to your doctor about your medical history if you fall into any of these categories.

Egg freezing vs embryo freezing 

There’s one major difference between freezing eggs and freezing embryos. When you freeze your eggs, they stay unfertilized. We all know that to make a baby, you need an egg and a sperm because each of them provides half of the material needed. On its own, an egg can’t function (and neither can a sperm).

An embryo, on the other hand, is an egg that has already been fertilized by a sperm. Once they combine, the egg and sperm become a single cell. Over the next three to four days, the embryo divides several times, going from one to two to four to eight cells, and so on until it reaches the blastocyst stage and is ready to be frozen. Once an embryo has developed, there’s no going back– that is, there’s no way to turn that embryo back into a separate egg and sperm. 

If you don’t know who you want to have children with, then freezing your eggs may be the best approach. This option gives you the freedom to hold off on thinking about having a baby until you’ve met someone or are ready to choose a sperm donor. 

On the other hand, if you are currently with a partner who you know you’d like to have children with but now isn’t the right time, then frozen embryos might be the way to go with the goal of a future embryo transfer. The caveat here is to be 100% certain—stars like Sofia Vergara and more recently, Anna Kendrick, have run into trouble after freezing embryos with partners they didn’t end up with. 

Read more in Should I Freeze Eggs or Embryos?

Cost of egg freezing

The question of how much does it cost to freeze your eggs will come down to a few factors. These include the number of cycles you undergo to retrieve eggs and how long you keep the eggs in storage. Overall, the typical egg freezing can cost anywhere from $10,000 to $20,000 for one cycle plus the cost of storage fees.

Another option? Freeze by Co offers women a chance to freeze their eggs for free when they donate half of the retrieved eggs to a family that can’t otherwise conceive. The cost of the entire process, including 10 years of cryopreservation, is fully covered — we think it’s a win-win. 

Or, if you want to freeze and store your eggs for your own future use without donating, Freeze by Co offers lower prices on things like consultations and storage, along with access to our community of freezers. ‍We partner with lenders, like Sunfish, to offer you fertility financial resources.

Learn more about egg sharing

Egg sharing programs exist worldwide to help make fertility care more accessible. Egg sharing is when a woman undergoes an egg retrieval, and some of the resulting eggs are donated to a family that can’t otherwise conceive.

In Cofertility’s Split program, women can freeze their eggs for free when they donate half of the retrieved eggs to a family who can’t otherwise conceive. 

Ask us anything

If you’d like help figuring out when to freeze your eggs, you can contact us for more information. While every woman’s fertility preservation path differs, we can connect you with reputable clinics who can offer basic guidance about when the time is right for you to freeze your eggs during a consultation or dig into specifics by going through a preliminary exam in a provider’s office.

We understand that the timing may not be right for you to start a family right now, but that doesn’t mean it’s too early to start thinking about what choices will be available to you when that time comes. As you can see, a lot goes into preparing for an egg retrieval process.  The earlier you consider your fertility, the more options you’ll have. 

Whether you decide to freeze or not, we’re here for you to answer any questions or talk through any concerns.