Egg Freezing: A Costly Decision with Limited Use, According to Study
A recent study suggests that the majority of women who choose to freeze their eggs do not end up using them. Despite the rising popularity of egg freezing as a fertility preservation method, many women do not return to the fertility clinic or opt to use their frozen eggs.
The study, conducted by researchers at Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel in Belgium, tracked 843 women who had their eggs frozen between 2009 and 2019. The average age of these women was 36, and most of them were without partners at the time.
By May 2022, only 27% of the women had returned to the clinic for fertility treatment. The average age of women who did return was 40, and they were mostly in relationships by that point. However, less than half of the women who returned for treatment chose to use their frozen eggs. Some underwent intrauterine insemination, while others opted for other fertility treatments using fresh eggs.
Further analysis revealed that the average age of women using frozen eggs was 42, suggesting that egg freezing can be beneficial for older women seeking to conceive. However, the study highlights the fact that egg freezing is an expensive choice, and many women do not end up using their frozen eggs.
Dr. Ezgi Darici, who presented the research at the annual meeting of the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology, acknowledged the increasing popularity of egg freezing but emphasized the lack of evidence regarding its effectiveness. He stated that more research is needed to establish the usefulness of egg freezing and to provide guidelines for young women considering this option.
The COVID-19 pandemic has also contributed to a surge in egg freezing, with 1,874 women freezing their eggs in the UK in 2020. The average cost of egg freezing, including freezing and thawing procedures, is around £8,000.
Additionally, another study conducted by Imperial College London found that women over the age of 40 who freeze their eggs have a very low likelihood of achieving pregnancy. The study analyzed 373 women who froze their eggs at a private clinic in London between 2008 and 2018. None of the women aged 40 or older at the time of egg freezing ended up with a baby during the study period.
In conclusion, while egg freezing may offer some benefits for older women struggling to conceive, it is an expensive decision and there is a need for more research to validate its usefulness. Routine reporting on fertility outcomes for women who undergo egg freezing could provide valuable insights and help guide young women considering this option.
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