When should I consider egg freezing? A fertility psychologist explains

“Egg freezing can be empowering but it’s not a neutral decision.”

The term ‘egg freezing’ is familiar enough. I’ve heard it in passing, mostly pitched as some kind of ‘insurance’ policy if you’re not sure whether you want kids. I knew the process involved extracting your eggs and keeping them on ice, or tucked away in storage somewhere, but it’s always felt slightly dystopian.

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On top of that, it’s often viewed in isolation, through a medical lens. Most people head straight to a fertility specialist, where you end up discussing topics ranging from hormones to egg count, procedures and success rates. What’s often neglected (or sidelined) is the emotional and psychological questions underpinning the decision.

In fact, some studies suggest that most people who opt to freeze their eggs don’t typically end up going back for them. While there’s no denying that it’s an invaluable option for some people, it doesn’t come cheap, either.

It’s a layered topic, to say the least. So to help break down what it involves and what you should consider, we spoke to Narelle Dickinson, a reproductive psychologist and director of Lotus Health and Psychology in Brisbane.

But first, what exactly is egg freezing?

In short, egg freezing involves extracting and storing your unfertilised eggs. It’s a two-week process that starts with self-administered daily injections for 10 to 12 days in order to grow and produce more follicles (these are small, fluid-filled sacs that grow eggs). This involves daily hormone injections in your stomach to stimulate your ovaries to produce multiple eggs instead of the usual one.

You’ll undergo a couple of scans during this period to count and measure how the follicles are going, before booking in for a procedure. The whole process lasts between one and two hours, and is often performed under a light sedation or general anaesthesia,, so you won’t feel anything. When you wake up, you’ll be told how many eggs were collected. Any mature eggs will undergo and they’ll undergo a freezing process called ‘vitrification’. From there, they can be stored for years.

Most people with ovaries can access egg freezing, regardless of whether they have an underlying medical condition. With that said, the best time is usually considered to be during your late twenties or early to mid-thirties. As you get older, the number of eggs available will decrease, usually declining or stopping at around 50.

How much does it cost?

This process can cost anywhere between $5,000 to $10,000. This is a combination of medication, hospital and anaesthetics, and ongoing storage fees. In Australia, Medicare offers a rebate if egg freezing is required for medical reasons, which can help reduce out-of-pocket costs.

According to Narelle, some clinics are suggesting that the number of women freezing their eggs has jumped by almost 50 per cent in the past couple of years. The most recent reported data from the Australian and New Zealand Assisted Reproduction Database (ANZARD) suggests there are 6,500 to 7,000 egg freezing and fertility preservation cycles per year. “There is no question that the number of cycles is growing rapidly,” she adds.

Why some people choose to freeze their eggs

Though there are many different reasons people choose to undergo egg freezing, it often circles back to preserving future reproductive choices. “This might be because they haven’t yet found the right partner, or don’t feel ready to have children yet, as they’re still prioritising financial security or their career,” Narelle explains. For others, it’s about preserving fertility in the face of cancer treatment, endometriosis or ovarian surgery.

The benefits of egg freezing

“Egg freezing can be empowering but it’s not a neutral decision,” says Narelle. “It’s essential to consider the medical reality, financial investment, and emotional meaning of this big decision.”

According to Narelle, it’s important to ask yourself whether you’re doing this because you feel you’re not ready for children, or if its really out of pressure or fear. Is it about buying time, or avoiding a difficult decision? “There’s no wrong reason but clarity matters,” she adds.

It’s also critical to be clear about your expectations. “Egg freezing preserves the possibility but it doesn’t guarantee you will have a baby.” Then, there’s also the cost to keep in mind. It’s common for this process to take two or three rounds before sufficient eggs are collected and frozen, so its worth thinking ahead and factoring in more than one cycle.

“You also need to consider how you will feel if you go through this treatment but don’t use the eggs,” Narelle points out. “Did you know that research suggests up to 80 per cent of eggs collected for fertility preservation are never used?”

The most common reason is because many end up conceiving naturally, and therefore don’t have a use for them. In other cases, people opt to use fresh eggs through intrauterine insemination (IUI) or in vitro fertilisation (IVF). while others may ultimately decide not to pursue parenthood.

The most common myths surrounding egg freezing

As Narelle explains, there are a lot of persistent misconceptions about egg freezing that can shape people’s expectations in unhelpful ways. Thankfully, she’s here to help myth-bust and course correct, below.

“Egg freezing guarantees I’ll have a baby later.”

Reality: Egg freezing preserves the possibility of pregnancy but it’s not a guarantee.

“I can just freeze my eggs later if I need to.”

Reality: Timing matters a lot. Egg quality declines with age, especially after mid to late thirties. Freezing at 38 to 40 is very different to freezing at 30 to 32.

“One cycle will be enough.”

Reality: One cycle isn’t always sufficient to bank enough eggs for a reasonable chance of a baby, and many women need additional cycles.

“Egg freezing is like an insurance policy.”

Reality: It’s more accurate to think of it as a backup plan with uncertain odds, not a guarantee.

“If I freeze my eggs, I won’t need IVF later.”

Reality: Using frozen eggs requires IVF, as the eggs you have frozen will need to be thawed and fertilised before being transferred as embryos.

“It’s a quick and easy process.”

Reality: Medically, it’s relatively short but it involves daily injections, monitoring, and a procedure, and can be more physically uncomfortable or emotionally demanding than expected.

“If I don’t use my eggs, it doesn’t matter.”

Reality: Unused eggs can result in later complex emotional decisions.

“It will relieve all my anxiety about fertility.”

Reality: It can help, but some people continue to feel uncertainty or pressure about when and how to eventually use the eggs.

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