The number of egg freezing cycles has dramatically increased in the last few years in the UK, but the number of cycles being completed are still incredibly small.According to the Human Fertilisation & Embryology Authority (HFEA), in 2016 there were 1,310 egg freezing cycles that year, making up only 1.5% of the 68,000 treatment cycles. In 2022, egg storage cycles were 4,647.
A new report from the HFEA has stated that age, at the time of egg freezing, is the key factor in egg freezing success.This bold statement raises concerns as unfortunately, the most common age for women to freeze their eggs at the moment is 38 – while some women are also still freezing their eggs in their 40s.The issue with this is the quality of eggs by this age is very low, therefore, the chance of getting pregnant in the future using those eggs is incredibly small. We will discuss this further shortly. So, are women leaving it too late to freeze their eggs and risking their chance of starting a family?
Egg freezing is an effective method of preserving fertility for women, however, only when it is done in ideal circumstances. The age at which eggs are frozen is far more important than the age at which they may be used. The evidence shows that if eggs are frozen below the age of 35, the chances of success will be higher than the natural conception rate, as a woman gets older.
Egg freezing is predominantly only offered in the NHS when there is a medical condition or treatment that will prevent natural conception.For example, for women who have cancer and maybe undergoing treatment that will impact the chances of getting pregnant in the future – such as chemotherapy. For private clinics, this is not necessary and any individual can choose to have their eggs frozen, if appropriate.
Why are women leaving it so late to freeze their eggs?
Over the last decade, women have been far more career-focused and professionally inclined, which is why they may choose to delay starting a family until much later in life.In this process, many often fail to consider the impact of age, and by the time they realise, the optimal age to conceive naturally has already passed.
Another potential factor contributing to the advanced age of women freezing their eggs is the lack of awareness and education surrounding the egg freezing procedure and fertility.
Many women are seldom aware about the impact of advancing age on egg quality, and its impact on their potential to get pregnant because of poor dialogue surrounding the topic.As a society, can we not place more focus on this, stop treating it like a taboo, and create more understanding and wider awareness to prevent such cases?
Egg quality and age: the ramifications
Women are born with a finite number of eggs in their ovaries. Each month during the menstrual cycle, some of them mature and then one is released during the ovulation phase. This takes place between 10 and 16 days before the menstrual cycle begins, where a woman may notice higher sex drive, frequent changes of mood and increased appetite during this time.For women between the ages of 30 and 35, the number and quality of these eggs begin to decline and continues to deteriorate every year, until menopause is reached and periods have ceased for 12 months. But why is egg quality and their number of significance in the first place?
Fewer and poorer quality eggs simply mean that the chances of conceiving naturally is smaller. The better the quality and higher number of eggs, the better chances you may have of conceiving naturally. However, that is not necessarily the full story – good quality eggs are not the only factor that can influence an individual’s fertility. Physiological issues like blocked fallopian tubes or fibroids and scarring inside the uterus, can also play a big role in negatively influencing conception. Similarly, certain lifestyle factors such as being over or underweight, eating a poor quality diet and being exposed to certain toxins or chemicals on a daily basis can also influence one’s fertility.
The vast majority of individuals have no fertility issues, however, the World Health Organisation (WHO) states that one in seven couples will experience infertility.While the word ‘infertility’ may sound strong, it is simply used to describe the point where couples have been trying to get pregnant naturally for 12 months without any success.It does not mean that you will not go on to get pregnant or that you cannot get pregnant at all, but it indicates that it is time to seek help and advice from a medical professional.
To get an idea of your fertility early on in life, you can opt for a fertility test to help you make informed choices.Some women who have fertility-limiting health conditions such as endometriosis or hormonal disorders such as thyroid conditions or Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS), may prefer to protect their fertility for the potential future by seeking advice from a fertility doctor, early on.A fertility test for women is one way to get an insight into your overall reproductive abilities or any issues early on – so they can be dealt with effectively, when they are much easier to treat and with plenty of time to put necessary steps in place to deal with them.
As fertility is such a time sensitive issue, it is always preferable to seek advice early on so you know where you stand and can later use the information to make wise decisions about your future family goals.
Are women leaving it too late to freeze their eggs and risking their chance of starting a family?
Opting to undergo egg freezing is quite a personal decision. Some people may not be ready to take steps to freeze their eggs when they’re younger but ultimately it is your own choice and should not be taken lightly or without considering all factors and future prospects.Keeping in mind your current health situation, your personal and family goals and doing your own research about the available treatment options, can definitely lead you onto a better path to plan your pregnancy journey.
