The process
Pre-cycle assessment
Before egg freezing, a fertility specialist may:
- Discuss your fertility goals
- Discuss your options for achieving these goals
- Run tests such as blood tests and ultrasound scans to assess your current fertility and check if egg freezing is safe for you
Sometimes hormone levels (including AMH) are measured to try and estimate the number of eggs that might be collected. These tests can only provide an estimate and are not very accurate when predicting your chances of becoming pregnant with or without using frozen eggs (10). For more information about AMH click here.
Discussing your test results with a fertility specialist will be important when trying to decide whether or not to freeze your eggs.
The number of appointments you have with a fertility specialist before starting an egg freezing cycle will vary, although usually 1-2 appointments are needed.
Ovarian stimulation
The first step of egg freezing is ovarian stimulation.
This is where hormone injections are needed for around 8-12 days to stimulate the ovaries and mature as many eggs as possible. Other medications might be needed too.
Injections are usually given into a pinch of skin around the lower belly area. The needle is small and has been described as a tiny prick on the skin. Ice can be used to numb the area if needed.
Your fertility specialist or a member from your fertility clinic will monitor how well your eggs are maturing using transvaginal ultrasound scans and/or blood tests.
The number of appointments you need can vary, but typically women have 3-4 appointments during the 2-week period. Flexibility will be required during this time. You may need to take time off work and/or other commitments at short notice.
Some women feel worried about self-injecting incorrectly, pain, or accidentally causing harm to themselves (11). A member from your fertility clinic will teach you how to inject the hormones properly. You can also ask someone for help if needed.
The hormones used for ovarian stimulation can cause side-effects, and although rare, some complications can happen too. It is difficult to predict what someone will experience as it varies from person to person. For more information, click here.
Timing of egg collection
The timing of egg collection depends on how long it takes for your eggs to mature. This is often around 2 weeks.
Usually, a minimum of 2 days’ notice is given to prepare for an egg collection procedure.
Egg collection
Egg collection is a minor surgery. It involves inserting an ultrasound probe into the vagina, and a needle into each follicle to collect the eggs from the ovaries.
The procedure takes around 5-10 minutes, depending on how many follicles you have. What you feel will depend on the type of anaesthetic used.
Usually, you would not return to work the day of the procedure, and someone may need to pick you up from the hospital and stay with you overnight. It is generally recommended taking 1-2 days off work to recover. Some women might need more time.
Some patients experience cramping and light bleeding for a few days after the procedure. Over the counter pain relief (e.g. paracetamol or ibuprofen) may help. If pain does not improve, it is important to contact your fertility clinic.
Some clinics may offer a review appointment after your procedure to discuss the outcome. When contacting a clinic about egg freezing, you may like to ask what happens after your cycle is complete.
Egg freezing can be physically and emotionally difficult for patients. Click here for some examples of self-care that might be helpful during this time.
Egg freezing and storage
Some eggs collected may be unsuitable for freezing and will be discarded. The rest will be frozen and stored.
You will need to pay ongoing storage fees for your frozen eggs. There may also be limits on how long they can be stored. For more information, click here.
If you decide to use your eggs in the future, you will need to have another IVF procedure. See our sections about using frozen eggs and success rates.
How long does a cycle take?
Cycle times vary, however they generally take about two weeks to complete.
If you decide to have another cycle, you may want to start straight away (depending on medical advice) or wait until you feel ready. On average, women tend to have 1 or 2 egg freezing cycles (12).