Egg freezing in your 20s: why the conversation is starting sooner
Gen Z and egg freezing
Egg freezing was once a conversation women had in their late thirties, often under pressure and feeling ‘against the clock’. Increasingly, it is one they are choosing to have in their twenties - before they have met a partner, bought property or made any of the many other decisions that used to arrive before fertility questions came to mind.
According to the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority, in the last four years egg freezing among women aged between 18 and 24 has risen by 46%. As awareness grows, experts say the focus must remain on clear and accurate education so women can make informed decisions about their future.
Dr Alison Richardson, Group Medical Director at Care Fertility, explains how understanding fertility pathways earlier can play an important role in long term planning.
“Egg freezing is an option that allows women to preserve their fertility choices, but it is essential that decisions are based on accurate, evidence based information,” says Dr Alison Richardson. “Understanding how fertility changes over time can help women make informed choices that are right for them.”
Why earlier egg freezing is being discussed
Fertility naturally declines with age, particularly from the early thirties onwards, both in terms of egg quantity and quality. By the time a woman reaches 30, she will have lost nearly 90% of her eggs, highlighting why these conversations are happening earlier and why more young women are considering egg freezing.
“Egg quality is one of the most important factors in determining future fertility and treatment success,” explains Dr Alison Richardson. “Freezing eggs at a younger age can increase the likelihood of those eggs leading to a successful pregnancy later in life.”
However, she stresses that this does not mean all women should freeze their eggs early.
“It isn’t a one size fits all decision. For some women, egg freezing may be a proactive choice. For others, it may not be necessary,” she says. “What matters most is that women understand their individual fertility and the options available to them.”
A shift toward earlier awareness
As action towards proactive health management, including apps and wearable technology, has grown in recent years, more women are choosing to learn about their fertility at an earlier stage, giving them more time to consider their options and plan ahead.
“With the rise of technology like period trackers and at-home diagnostics, more women are looking for a clearer understanding of their cycles and symptoms,” says Dr Alison Richardson. “It’s changing how and when they start thinking about their fertility.”
She explains that egg freezing is a medical procedure with varying outcomes.
“Egg freezing can be a helpful way to plan ahead, although it does not guarantee a future pregnancy,” she says. “Success can vary based on factors such as age, lifestyle, and the number of eggs collected, so it’s important that patients are well informed and supported throughout the process.”
What egg freezing actually involves
Despite growing interest, many people are still unclear on what the process entails. Egg freezing involves stimulating the ovaries with hormone medication to produce multiple follicles from which eggs are collected and frozen for potential future use. The number of eggs retrieved depends on a woman's age and individual ovarian reserve. Clinicians like to freeze around 20 eggs, often referred to as the ‘golden number’, to give women the best chance of a future pregnancy.
“At Care Fertility, we use Violet AI that analyses images of frozen eggs to provide patients with personalised information regarding the reproductive potential of eggs collected to inform treatment pathways.”
“Every woman’s cycle is different, so the process is adjusted to her needs, with careful attention at every stage.” explains Dr Alison Richardson.
What women should consider
For those thinking about egg freezing, Dr Alison Richardson recommends focusing on informed decision making.
“Understanding your fertility through testing, considering your personal circumstances, and seeking advice from qualified professionals are the most important first steps,” she explains. “Egg freezing is one option among many, and it should always be approached as part of a broader conversation about reproductive health and family planning.”
For more information please contact carefertility@itsmaven.com