FAQ
FREEZE AND SHARE
Ask Us Anything About Freeze and Share programme
Find answers to the questions we’re asked about most often. If you don’t see your question here, contact us to find out more.
What are the criteria to be accepted for the Freeze and Share programme?
To join our Freeze and Share programme, you need to meet a few key criteria: you should be between 21 and 33 years old, have a Body Mass Index (BMI) between 18 and 28, and possess a good ovarian reserve. Additionally, knowing the medical history of both sides of your family is crucial. This helps us ensure that you’re suitable to be a donor and maximize the benefits if you’re considering freezing your eggs.
How many eggs do I need for my own use?
This is a very common question and one that is difficult to answer. Put in the simplest terms, the more eggs you bank, the higher your chances of a pregnancy at a later date.
While there’s no one-size-fits-all number, research suggests that Age at the time of freezing is the best way to predict how many eggs will be genetically normal, and so how many you might need.
A study published in the medical journal Fertility and Sterility in September 2017 suggests the following rough numbers:
Under 35 years old: Freezing 15 eggs provides about an 85% chance of at least one live birth.
These numbers are not exact, because there is so much variation between women, but should provide a guide. Our data shows that after two Freeze and Share cycles, most patients have about 15 eggs stored, and after three cycles, around 21 eggs.
There are other factors which will also affect how many eggs you should freeze, such as the results of your ovarian function tests (AMH blood test and antral follicle count scan), how many children you are hoping to have, and how many egg-freezing treatment cycles you are willing to have.
There is no magic number of eggs we would recommend for all women; what is the realistic and desirable number for your situation will be discussed with you in detail during a fertility health check with a consultant.
What if I change my mind and don’t want to share?
It’s completely understandable if you have second thoughts about participating in the programme. If you decide you’d rather do elective egg freezing just for yourself, you can definitely switch at any point before beginning the treatment. Keep in mind, though, that in such cases you’d need to cover the cost of the cycle yourself. Our team is here to support you in making the decision that feels right for you.
What is egg freezing?
Egg freezing is a medical procedure in which eggs from the ovaries are retrieved and cryopreserved for an attempt at pregnancy at a later date.
Eggs are fast-frozen using a process known as vitrification, which preserves the eggs in a glass-like state and without damage. This means that vitrified eggs, once thawed, are just as likely to result in a pregnancy as fresh eggs.
Vitrification was first developed to preserve the fertility of women having treatment for serious health conditions. Today, however, it is just as popular with women who wish to preserve fertility for personal reasons.
Why would I consider preserving my eggs?
Cryopreserving eggs gives you an opportunity to start a family when the time is right for you, whatever your reason. It might be that:
- You aren’t ready to start a family now – for relationship, health, career, financial, or any other reason – but you wish to have this choice in the future.
- You really have no idea if you might want a family someday – but you wish to keep that option open.
Freezing eggs provides the opportunity for making that decision later.
When should I freeze my eggs?
In general, the younger you are, the better. This is because you’ll be able to produce and freeze more eggs in one cycle, with a greater percentage of them genetically healthy.
As women get older their egg reserve and egg quality declines, so the younger you are the more eggs you’ll be able to produce and freeze in one cycle, with a greater percentage of them being genetically healthy.
Typically, you’ll be able to freeze the highest number of healthy eggs before you turn 30, slightly fewer from 30–35, and even fewer after 35.
In your mid-to-late 30s or early 40s you can at least partially compensate for poor egg quality by freezing more eggs. This usually requires multiple egg freezing cycles, but it can give you a better chance of eventually achieving a successful pregnancy.
Find out more about your fertility by taking a fertility health check. With this information, you and your consultant will be able to discuss whether egg freezing is right for you, and what results you can expect.
How does egg freezing address the business of ageing?
Once eggs are retrieved and frozen in a specialist lab, they can no longer age. However, as you get older, the remaining eggs in your ovary will decline in number and in quality, thereby reducing your chances of having a baby conceived naturally.
Freezing your eggs can thus preserve your fertility for the future. The age you are when you freeze your eggs is the age those eggs will be when you choose to use them.
This means that if you decide to use your frozen eggs several years later, your chances of achieving a successful pregnancy will be very similar to those you would have had at the time your eggs were frozen.
If I’m using on birth control, do I need to stop in order to freeze my eggs?
Yes, you will need to stop taking hormonal birth control during the 14 days of your egg freezing cycle, but it can be resumed with the period following your egg retrieval.
Medications used during your egg freezing cycle prompt your ovaries to produce multiple eggs during one menstrual cycle. Hormonal birth control, on the other hand, is intended to prevent ovulation, so it is incompatible with an egg collection and freezing cycle.
How do I know if I’m a good candidate for egg freezing?
In general, any healthy woman who currently has at least some healthy eggs and is not yet ready to have a baby is a good candidate for egg freezing.
As an initial step in the egg freezing process, you’ll have a fertility health check to gather information about your fertility and your overall health. Then, in a consultation, one of our consultants will review how effective egg freezing might be for you.
How do I get started?
The first step is to find out more about your fertility with a fertility health check. Once you’re ready, we’ll start looking for a suitable recipient. The timing will depend both on your availability for treatment and when a recipient chooses to proceed with you as their donor.
How many times can I freeze my eggs with the "Freeze and Share"package?
You can undergo up to 6 F&S cycles with us. After each cycle, you will have a consultation with a consultant to review the process and discuss your satisfaction with the number of eggs stored for your future use.
How long does the Freeze and Share process take?
The process begins with an initial consultation with your treatment coordinator to go through the programme and review your medical history. This is followed by a fertility assessment and a consultation with a doctor. Once you decide to proceed, you’ll have an appointment to sign relevant consent forms and confirm that you understand your cycle schedule. After that, we will begin the process of matching you with a suitable egg recipient. Once you’re ready, we begin matching you with a recipient, which will depend on your availability and when a recipient chooses to move forward with you as their donor.
What can I expect during the egg freezing process?
Egg freezing typically takes about 14 days and requires 8–11 days of hormone injections to stimulate the ovaries to produce multiple eggs in one menstrual cycle.
During this time you will need several scans and blood tests to monitor progress in the ovaries and adjust medication if needed.
Around 36 hours before your egg collection procedure you’ll be asked to take a “trigger” injection to mature your eggs.
Finally, there’s a 20-minute surgical procedure to retrieve the eggs from your ovaries. This is performed under mild anaesthetic.
The whole process, from the beginning of the injections through to the retrieval, is called a “cycle.” Find out more.
Our clinical team will help coordinate your appointments, medications, and schedule and be available to you at all times.
How are the eggs retrieved?
You may be sedated, and your eggs will be collected using a needle passed through the vagina and into each ovary under ultrasound guidance. This is a minor procedure that takes about 15 to 20 minutes. Your mature eggs will be frozen by our skilled embryologists and stored in liquid nitrogen in our secure facilities.
Is the egg freezing procedure painful?
This depends on how sensitive you are. Injecting the medication is generally not painful for most of our patients. The needles are very thin and you inject them into the fatty tissue around your middle.
Some women feel bloated and crampy while taking the medication, but those side effects will stop after egg collection. The transvaginal ultrasound exams used during egg freezing aren’t painful, but they can be a little uncomfortable.
During egg retrieval you may be under sedation and therefore won’t feel anything. You may experience some pain when you wake up, like a little soreness or some abdominal cramping.
How long does it take to recover from the egg retrieval?
We recommend you take the day off work on the day of your retrieval, so you can rest for the remainder of the day. The vaginal soreness and cramping can last for a few days. But usually, the next day you can go back to your normal routine.
What are the risks of egg freezing?
Egg collection is a relatively non-invasive procedure that carries minimal risk, but as with any medical procedure there are some potential risks.
There is a small risk of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS). Most cases are mild, but rarely the condition is severe and can lead to serious illness. At London Egg Bank we monitor a woman’s fertility treatments very closely with frequent ultrasounds and blood tests to minimise the risk of OHSS.
Risk of OHSS will be identified at the time of initial consultation and a number of risk management strategies will be reflected in your treatment plan. This might include altering the dose of stimulation medications, a different trigger injection and occasionally additional medication after the egg collection procedure.
How many eggs will be collected on average in one cycle?
Typically, we collect about 14 to 15 mature eggs in each cycle. From those, you’ll be able to keep around 7 to 8 eggs for your own future use.
Am I likely to need more than one egg-freezing cycle to preserve enough eggs?
That really depends on a few things, especially your age. Generally, the younger you are, the more eggs you’re likely to freeze in one cycle. Younger women also tend to produce genetically healthier eggs, so they might not need as many cycles to begin with. Many younger women achieve their egg-freezing goals with just one cycle, while older women often need a few more tries. When you come in for your fertility health check, our doctors will give you a clearer picture of what to expect based on your specific situation.
Can I share all my eggs if I decide not to use them?
Absolutely! If you choose not to use your stored eggs, you can donate them to London Egg Bank. When donating altruistically—meaning without direct benefits to yourself—you’re eligible for reimbursement to cover any expenses you may have incurred. This allows you to support others on their fertility journey while also ensuring that your expenses are covered.
How long I can keep frozen eggs in storage?
There is no evidence that the health or viability of frozen eggs decreases over time. Vitrified eggs can be preserved indefinitely. In the UK, you can store your eggs for up to 55 years, but you’ll need to renew your consent every 10 years to keep them stored. Please remember that you will need to cover the annual storage fee for your frozen eggs which currently is £390, though keep in mind this could increase over time.
How will I use my frozen eggs when I am ready to get pregnant?
For use for pregnancy, your eggs will be thawed and fertilised with partner or donor sperm using in vitro fertilization (IVF).
If I’m not accepted can I be refunded the cost of the fertility screening tests?
Patients interested in our egg sharing or Freeze and Share programme are required to undergo an initial consultation and fertility investigations. This allows our doctors to assess their suitability. Unfortunately, if you are not accepted into the programmes, we do not offer refunds for these tests. However, you will still benefit from valuable insights into your fertility and reproductive health. Plus, if you’re considering elective egg freezing, these tests can be used for that treatment.
Can I have a copy of all my results?
Once you have started your first cycle, your results can be collected on your baseline scan.
How are you regulated?
We are regulated by the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA). We hold a licence to practise and are inspected regularly to ensure we provide high-quality care and are compliant with the required legislation.
How many eggs should I aim to freeze?
This is a very common question, and one that is difficult to answer. Put in the simplest terms, the more eggs you bank, the higher your chances of a pregnancy at a later date.
There is no magic number of eggs we would recommend for all women; what is realistic and desirable in your case will be discussed with you in detail during a fertility health check with a consultant.
How many eggs you need to freeze depends on several factors, the most important of which is age. Age at the time of freezing is the best way to predict how many eggs will be genetically normal, and so how many you might need.
While there isn’t a specific “magic number” to guarantee a pregnancy later on, women 35 or younger can feel confident that freezing 10 eggs will give them a good chance of creating at least one child. Studies suggest that for women aged 36–38 years about 15 eggs is recommended, while for women 38 and older the data is more limited and less clear – a cautious approach would be to aim for freezing 20 eggs or more.
A study published in the medical journal Fertility and Sterility in September 2017 suggest the following rough numbers:
- Women under 35: freezing 15 mature eggs offers a cumulative 85% chance of at least one live birth.
- Women 35 to 37: freezing 20 mature eggs offers a cumulative 80% chance of at least one live birth
- Women 38 to 40: freezing 30 mature eggs offers a cumulative 75% chance of at least one live birth.
- Women 40 to 42: freezing 30 mature eggs offers a cumulative 50% chance of at least one live birth.
These numbers are not exact, because there is so much variation between women, but should provide a guide.
There are other factors which will also affect how many eggs you should freeze, such as the results of your ovarian function tests (AMH blood test and antral follicle count scan), how many children you are hoping to have, and how many egg freezing treatment cycles you are willing to have. Your specialist will work with you to determine the correct target number for your own situation.
Get Started
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