Is Now the Best Time To Freeze Your Eggs? Why Women Turned to Egg Freezing During the Pandemic

The pandemic has provided our country with a number of unexpected consequences. More people than ever are working from home, and many are electing to stay at home. Schooling, depending on your location, may consist of a mix of in-person and virtual learning. We’re generally slowing down a bit, taking more time to consider what we value and how we want our lives to proceed.

For many young women over the course of the past 18 months or so, this included considering family planning. When many of us were spending time isolating, women were thinking over their options for family building. This includes those who turned toward fertility preservation, also known as egg freezing.

What is egg freezing?

Egg freezing is the process of medically preserving your fertility. During the process, you will be instructed to take medication(s) that will stimulate egg production prior to the retrieval procedure. The retrieved eggs are then safely cryopreserved until you decide to have them thawed for family-building purposes.

Who is a good candidate for egg freezing?

Egg freezing can be completed for social or elective reasons, such as your putting your career, travel, or education goals ahead of family building for the foreseeable future. You know you’ll want to try for a pregnancy down the road, but you’re not ready now. Egg freezing can also be completed for medical reasons; this is known as fertility preservation. This can take place when a patient is facing a recent cancer diagnosis and has been advised to pursue treatment that can be harmful to fertility, if reproductive surgery is needed, or if there is a family history of premature menopause.

Ultimately, anyone who desires egg freezing is a good candidate. Your family planning goals will be respected.

Why would women freeze their eggs?

Family planning is a deeply personal decision and one that requires careful thought. Whether you are freezing your eggs for social or medical reasons, the decision will be supported by your fertility specialist. Sometimes women have not yet found the right partner to build their families with, or they just want to have a safe backup plan for growing their families when the time is right. Your career, education, and travel goals are all worthwhile, and modern technology provides women with the opportunity to put their desires and dreams first.

Is now the right time to freeze your eggs?

The pandemic gave more women a chance to slow down and consider their future. What kind of career path are they hoping to achieve? Do they want to prioritize travel once it is safe to do so? Is there value in seeking additional education? And is now the time to invest in future family-building goals with egg freezing?

From a medical point of view, women’s fertility peaks in their early to mid-20s. This is around the ideal age to complete egg freezing, especially if a known medical issue that impacts fertility is present. This is not to say that anyone older will not find considerable value in egg freezing. Many women in their late 20s and 30s choose to freeze their eggs and have success. You can always discuss your options and concerns with your fertility specialist.