More and more women in their twenties are choosing to freeze their eggs due to concerns about their fertility. Typically, women in the UK do not freeze their eggs until they are in their late thirties. However, younger women, including those from Generation Z (born after 1997), are using social media to encourage others their age to consider this procedure. TikTok videos with the hashtag #eggfreezingjourney have garnered over 30 million views, with many emphasizing the benefits of freezing eggs during a woman’s biological prime.
Nevertheless, experts are cautioning young women against rushing into this procedure, as it does not guarantee fertility and can pose surgical risks. Shanian Bhopa, a PhD student from Toronto, shared her egg freezing experience on TikTok, explaining that she did it to give herself more time to pursue her professional goals and eventually become a mother on her own terms. Another TikTok user, Tiffany Zhu, who is 28 years old and in a stable relationship with a successful career, decided to freeze her eggs to take control of her future.
While the number of women freezing their eggs has been increasing, some argue that not all IVF clinics have the necessary experience to carry out this procedure. In 2021, the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority recorded over 4,200 egg storage cycles, almost double the number in 2019. It is unclear how many of these procedures were performed on women in their twenties, but there was a 63% increase in people under the age of 34 undergoing at least one egg freezing cycle compared to 2019. The COVID-19 pandemic likely contributed to this rise, as many women feared running out of time to start a family.
Jessa Choi, a TikTok user with a substantial following, also shared her decision to freeze her eggs at 27, explaining that she wanted to raise her standards and not worry about her biological clock. However, fertility experts warn that egg freezing is not a guarantee of fertility and that the risks of ovarian stimulation should be considered. Dr. Ying Cheong, a reproductive medicine expert, advises against young women rushing into egg freezing, explaining that natural conception is still the best method for starting a family.
Kayleigh Hartigan, the founder of Fertility Mapper and an advisor to the Government’s Women’s Health Strategy, highlights the importance of choosing the right clinic and being aware that egg freezing is a medical procedure. She notes that while egg freezing is on the rise, it still represents a small percentage of clinic activity compared to other services like IVF.
The process of egg freezing involves following the initial steps of IVF, which takes two to three weeks to complete. Women take medication to stimulate egg production and maturity, followed by the collection of eggs under anesthesia. The eggs are then mixed with a freezing solution and frozen. The procedure is generally considered safe, although some women may experience side effects from fertility drugs. Severe cases can lead to ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS), but the majority of patients experience mild symptoms, with only a small percentage requiring medical intervention.
Women choose to freeze their eggs for various reasons, including delaying motherhood until their thirties, not feeling rushed to settle down, or a family history of early menopause. Some individuals with a high risk of cancer may also choose to freeze their eggs proactively to ensure the eggs frozen are young and healthy.
In conclusion, while the number of women opting for egg freezing is increasing, it is important to approach this decision with caution and consider the potential risks and limitations. Seeking advice from fertility experts and choosing a reputable clinic can help individuals make informed choices about their reproductive health.
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