Updated by the Progyny Editorial Team — September 2025.
If you’re thinking about having children in the future, you may consider freezing your eggs. It’s become one of the most common options in reproductive medicine. This procedure allows you to freeze your eggs now, so you can use them later if you want to start a family.
With so much information out there about this topic, we turned to Wael Salem, MD, MPhil, to help clear up the facts and myths about egg freezing. Here are some common misconceptions you might hear.
1. Egg freezing uses up all your eggs
This is a common myth, but it’s not true. Freezing your eggs doesn’t take away your fertility. Only the eggs that would have naturally been absorbed by your body are harvested. This means that egg freezing won’t reduce your overall egg count or affect your fertility in the future.
2. Egg freezing guarantees I’ll be able to have a pregnancy in the future
While egg freezing can help increase your chances of pregnancy later in life, it doesn’t guarantee that you will get pregnant. The number of eggs your doctor recommends freezing will depend on your specific situation. Even with the recommended number of eggs, the biology of reproduction can be unpredictable, so there’s no certainty when it comes to achieving a pregnancy.
3. Egg freezing and embryo freezing are the same
Egg freezing and embryo freezing involve similar steps, but they are not the same. With embryo freezing, your eggs are fertilized with sperm in the lab before they’re frozen. With egg freezing, the eggs are frozen without being fertilized.
One of the biggest differences is reproductive autonomy — freezing your eggs gives you the option to decide later who will provide the sperm. Also, there are different legal considerations when it comes to freezing eggs versus embryos.
4. Egg freezing is the best option for everyone
Egg freezing can be a good option for many, but it’s not the right choice for everyone. It’s crucial to have an open conversation with your doctor about your long-term reproductive goals. Consider things like how many children you want to have and when you want to start your family. Your doctor can help you decide if it’s the best fit for you.
5. Egg freezing is always necessary
For some people, especially those who are younger and planning to start a family soon, egg freezing may not be necessary. It’s important to talk to your doctor about your own fertility and whether freezing your eggs is the right decision for you.
If you have 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.