Doctors see spike in younger women freezing their eggs, putting motherhood on hold

Egg freezing, also known as oocyte cryopreservation, is a fertility treatment that allows women to preserve their fertility by freezing and storing their eggs for future use. The process involves extracting mature eggs from a woman's ovaries, cooling them rapidly to prevent ice crystal formation, and storing them in liquid nitrogen at extremely low temperatures.

According to recent reports, there has been a significant increase in the number of women opting for egg freezing as a means to delay motherhood. This trend has been particularly noticeable among younger women.

Dr. Ali Gannon, a reproductive endocrinologist at Shady Grove Fertility in Fairfax, Virginia, has observed this trend firsthand. In an interview with The Washington Post, she stated that "it's been a huge increase in the number of egg-freezing patients we’re seeing." Shady Grove Fertility is one of the largest infertility clinics in the United States, with over 30 locations across the country.

The reasons for this trend are varied. Some women choose to freeze their eggs due to career reasons, as they prioritize their careers over starting a family. Others may not feel ready to commit to a relationship or may be diagnosed with a medical condition that could impact their fertility.

According to the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM), the number of egg freezing cycles performed in the US increased from 422 in 2009 to 7,500 in 2014. The ASRM also reports that the average age of women undergoing egg freezing has decreased from 37 to 34 over the same period.

Egg freezing is not a guarantee of future pregnancy, but it does offer women an option to preserve their fertility for future use. The success rates for egg freezing and subsequent pregnancy depend on various factors such as age, quality of the eggs, and the method used for fertilization (IVF or intracytoplasmic sperm injection).

The cost of egg freezing can range from $5,000 to $15,000 or more per cycle, depending on the clinic and location. Many insurance plans do not cover the cost of egg freezing, making it an expensive option for many women. However, some employers offer fertility benefits as part of their health insurance plans, and some states have laws mandating insurance coverage for infertility treatments, including egg freezing.

Despite the high cost and uncertainty of success rates, the trend towards egg freezing is expected to continue as more women seek to delay motherhood for personal and professional reasons. As technology advances and costs come down, egg freezing may become more accessible and affordable for a larger population of women.

In conclusion, there has been a significant increase in the number of younger women opting for egg freezing as a means to delay motherhood. The reasons for this trend are varied, and the success rates and costs of the procedure depend on various factors. While not a guarantee of future pregnancy, egg freezing offers women an option to preserve their fertility for future use. The trend towards egg freezing is expected to continue as technology advances and costs come down.