Egg Freezing
Egg freezing (oocyte cryopreservation) collects a woman's eggs and freezes them to preserve her fertility for the future. The eggs are stored unfertilized and can be thawed, fertilized and used in IVF later. It is chosen to delay parenthood while fertility is higher, or for medical reasons such as before cancer treatment that could affect the ovaries.
Medically reviewed by the Florence Healthcare medical team · Last reviewed June 2026
Overview
A woman's fertility declines with age as both the number and quality of eggs fall. Egg freezing captures eggs at a younger, more fertile point and stores them, so they can be used later when she is ready to try for a pregnancy. It is also an important option for preserving fertility before medical treatment — such as chemotherapy or radiotherapy for cancer — that may damage the ovaries, and where time allows it can often be arranged before such treatment begins.
The process mirrors the first half of an IVF cycle: medication stimulates the ovaries to mature several eggs over about two weeks, monitored by ultrasound and hormone tests, and the mature eggs are then collected in a short procedure under light sedation. Rather than being fertilized, the eggs are frozen rapidly (vitrification) and stored. When the woman is ready, the eggs are thawed, fertilized with sperm — usually by ICSI — and a resulting embryo is transferred in a later cycle.
Egg freezing preserves options but does not guarantee a future baby; outcomes depend on the woman's age when the eggs are frozen and how many are stored, and more than one cycle is sometimes recommended. International patients receive a coordinator who plans the cycle's visits around travel and a transparent cost estimate, with remote consultations and counselling available so expectations are realistic.
Who is a candidate?
- Women who wish to preserve fertility while their eggs are younger and more numerous
- Those about to undergo cancer treatment that could affect the ovaries, where time allows
- Women with medical conditions or treatments that may reduce fertility
- Those not ready to start a family but wishing to keep future options open
- Women seeking advice on whether egg freezing is worthwhile for their age and situation
What happens
- 1
Assessment and counselling
Blood tests and an ovarian-reserve check, with honest counselling, help set realistic expectations and decide how many eggs to aim for and whether more than one cycle may help.
- 2
Ovarian stimulation
Medication encourages the ovaries to mature several eggs over about two weeks, monitored with ultrasound and hormone tests to time collection precisely.
- 3
Egg collection
The mature eggs are collected in a short procedure under light sedation, with no incisions. Most women resume normal activity within a day or two.
- 4
Freezing and storage
The eggs are frozen rapidly by vitrification and stored safely until you are ready to use them, sometimes for years.
- 5
Future use
When you decide to try for a pregnancy, the eggs are thawed, fertilized (usually by ICSI) and a resulting embryo is transferred in a later cycle. The team guides you through each step.
Benefits
- Preserves fertility at a younger, more fertile age for use in the future
- An important option before cancer treatment that may affect the ovaries
- Eggs are stored unfertilized, keeping future choices open
- The collection process is outpatient, with no incisions and no overnight stay
- Modern rapid freezing (vitrification) supports good egg survival on thawing
Risks & considerations
- Freezing eggs preserves options but does not guarantee a future pregnancy
- Success later depends on your age when the eggs are frozen and how many are stored
- Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome — a reaction to stimulation medication — which the team monitors for
- More than one cycle is sometimes needed to store enough eggs
- Minor risks from the egg-collection procedure, such as bleeding or infection
Conditions this treats
Where it is performed
This procedure is delivered by our Infertility & IVF Center.
Learn more before you decide
Provider-reviewed guides on the related conditions, symptoms and tests in our Health Library.
Egg Freezing — frequently asked questions
Egg freezing preserves your fertility for the future. Women choose it to delay parenthood while their eggs are younger and more numerous, or for medical reasons such as before cancer treatment that could affect the ovaries.
One cycle takes about two to three weeks from starting stimulation medication to egg collection. Your coordinator maps the visits around your travel, and your specialist advises whether more than one cycle is worthwhile.
No. Egg freezing preserves options but does not guarantee a future pregnancy. The chance of success later depends on your age when the eggs are frozen and how many are stored, which is why honest counselling is part of the process.
Often, yes, where time allows before treatment that could affect the ovaries. Tell your team about any planned cancer treatment so egg freezing can be arranged promptly and coordinated with your oncology care.
Cost depends on the number of cycles and the storage period. Your coordinator provides a transparent, itemized estimate covering the cycle, medication, the procedure and storage, rather than a fixed online price, so you know exactly what is included.
Related treatments
Considering egg freezing?
Share your reports for a medical second opinion and a transparent, itemized cost estimate — usually within 48 hours.