Updated by the Progyny Editorial Team — September 2025.
If you’re planning for a family in the future but now isn’t the right time, fertility preservation may be an option. This includes egg or embryo freezing, which allows you to preserve your fertility for later use.
Who may be a good candidate for egg freezing?
Anyone considering fertility preservation for personal or medical reasons may be a candidate. It’s important to meet with a reproductive endocrinologist (REI) to discuss your situation. Some factors your fertility specialist may review include:
- Body mass index and age
- Ovarian reserve (egg supply)
- Medical history and ability to undergo a short surgical procedure
What’s the first step if I decide to freeze my eggs?
Talk to your Progyny Care Advocate. They can help you understand your benefit and connect you with a clinic. You may also want to watch this step-by-step video about what it’s like during your first egg freezing consultation.
What is ovarian reserve and why does it matter?
Ovarian reserve refers to the number of eggs in your ovaries. REIs use this information to guide your options and next steps.
Tests that may be used include:
- Follicle-stimulating hormone
- Anti-Müllerian hormone
- Antral follicle count, measured by ultrasound
These tests provide rough estimates of egg quantity. They do not measure egg quality or guarantee future fertility.
How many eggs should I freeze?
The number depends on your age, ovarian reserve, and how you respond to medicine. On average, many people under 35 may need 10 to 15 mature eggs for a reasonable chance at one live birth; older than 35 usually requires more.
Should I freeze eggs, embryos, or both?
This depends on your circumstances. If you have a partner or sperm donor, you may be able to freeze embryos. Some people choose to freeze both eggs and embryos for added options.
What does the egg freezing process involve?
The process usually includes:
- Fertility medicine you give yourself at home with small injections
- Monitoring through bloodwork and ultrasounds
- An egg retrieval procedure at your clinic
What should I know about these medicine and injections?
The medicine stimulate your ovaries to produce multiple eggs in one cycle. The dosage and response vary by individual. Your REI will design a plan for you.
Possible short-term side effects include bloating, breast tenderness, and light cramping after retrieval. Most people feel better within a few days.
Can you predict how many eggs will be retrieved?
Your REI can estimate based on your age and ovarian reserve. Bloodwork and ultrasound results provide a range, but the actual number may differ.
Does the process change if I plan another treatment, like IVF, afterwards?
Usually, the steps are the same. Depending on your treatment plan, your doctor may recommend waiting before the next cycle—or moving directly into in vitro fertilization. If you plan to do IVF right away, ask whether fertilizing the eggs now — rather than freezing them — could maximize survival and embryo development.
How do you know if retrieved eggs are viable?
Only mature eggs are frozen. There is no test to confirm an egg’s ability to fertilize or result in a pregnancy. The biggest factor influencing success is your age at the time of freezing.
How long can eggs or embryos stay frozen?
Research shows that eggs, embryos, and sperm can remain frozen indefinitely without losing quality.
Can frozen eggs or embryos be moved to another facility?
Yes. You may need to transfer frozen tissue when moving, switching clinics, or using a gestational carrier. Not all clinics accept tissue from outside facilities, so confirm with your clinic first.
Can I still try to conceive without medication or treatment after egg freezing?
Yes. Each menstrual cycle produces new eggs, which are unaffected by a prior retrieval. Egg freezing does not usually affect your future fertility potential.
If you have other questions or concerns, Progyny is here for you. Please contact your Progyny Care Advocate for support.
Disclaimer: The information provided by Progyny is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider for medical guidance.