egg freezing

Amanda Goetz, marketing genius and the founder of House of Wise (which was successfully sold) has an inspiring career background that includes five years at The Knot Worldwide as Vice President of Marketing. But aside from her professional accomplishments, Amanda's personal life and decisions make her story even more compelling. Recently, she shared her journey of freezing her eggs with us, a decision made during a tumultuous period in her life.

Egg freezing amidst chaos

Amanda's decision to freeze her eggs came at a crucial time when her life was already filled with change and uncertainty. Following a divorce at the age of 32, with three children under age four, Amanda recognized that her present self was not equipped to make permanent decisions about her future family planning.

"We retrieved 19 eggs at age 32," Amanda recalled. Though she already had three children, Amanda chose to freeze eggs, not embryos, as she was still casually dating and wasn't in the right headspace post-divorce to make this decision with a partner.

Facing challenges head-on, like everything else in her life 

Amanda's egg freezing journey was not without its hurdles. Her process coincided with the global COVID lockdown, and she was inundated with hormones just as the world seemed to be ending. The societal challenges were significant, too, with questions about why she was freezing her eggs when she already had three children. Amanda's honest response reflected her wisdom: "I just knew that current Amanda wasn't in a place to make decisions for future Amanda, and I wanted to retrieve eggs as young as possible."

The downsides? Amanda faced discomfort, weight gain, and a disruption in her workout routine, leaving her feeling bloated and uncomfortable. Navigating relationships during this period proved challenging as well, with a significant other becoming too freaked out to be around, leaving her feeling alone. 

Thankfully, support came in unexpected ways, including a newfound friend on Twitter who was undergoing the same process. She also credits her therapist who helped her through the process, and a best friend who was there to pick her up after the retrieval. “A support system is key”. 

Reflection and advice

Looking back on her experience, Amanda is confident she made the right decision. She emphasizes that egg freezing is not a foolproof insurance policy, and she wishes she had known more about the survival rates and the likelihood of pregnancy using the frozen eggs.

Her advice to others considering this path is insightful and practical. "It is not a full-proof insurance policy. I think I would have approached it differently if I didn't have children. I would have done multiple rounds and froze several embryos with a donor for extra safety."

Amanda's story is still unfolding, with her frozen eggs still being kept and a decision planned within the next five years. 

Amanda’s experience with egg freezing is something we often see, one filled with emotions, insights, and hard-won wisdom. Her journey contributes to the vital conversation about family building and choice, helping to remove stigma and encourage a more nuanced understanding of this complex decision-making process. 

Her voice stands as a testament to the strength, adaptability, and wisdom that many women must summon as they navigate their unique paths to family planning, even if it happens in different life eras. Her message is clear: planning for the future requires understanding, compassion, and the courage to embrace uncertainty.

Learn more about egg freezing:

• How Many Eggs Do I Need to Freeze?
• How Many Times Should I Freeze My Eggs?
• How to Score Egg Freezing Discounts

As the Co-Founder and CEO of Aavia, an app designed to connect the dots between ovarian hormone health and women's daily lives, Aagya Mathur stands as an icon in women’s health. Recognized by Forbes as one of the top women leading startups that are disrupting health tech, she's not only shaping the industry but also influencing individual lives through her personal choices and advocacy.

Aagya's background in Neuroscience from the University of Virginia, combined with her MBA from MIT Sloan, has laid the foundation for her innovative work. Her past experience in management consulting across healthcare and retail clients further shaped her understanding of women's needs and inspired her to take a proactive approach to family planning.

We got the chance to interview her about her egg freezing experience, so let’s dive in.

The decision to freeze 

"I am lucky to have many older sister figures," Aagya explained, describing the influence of family and friends' experiences on her decision to freeze her eggs. She continued, "Their willingness to be vulnerable and share really opened my eyes to potential hardships. I remember one who explicitly told me – I wish I knew that freezing my eggs was an option when I was younger and that I did it."

At 32, Aagya sought her parents' thoughts and support, forging ahead with a process she knew was right for her. The personal stories and her background in the women's health space empowered her to make an informed decision.

The process: challenges and rewards

Aagya's journey involved meticulous planning and temporary lifestyle changes. She revealed, "I didn’t travel or go out late too much for about a month, and my friends and family showed up for me throughout the process." 

Those moments of support became memorable, with friends and family members showing their support: “It was really special that each night someone would show up for me whether going to go get our nails done or ordering Italian and sitting on my couch.”

They successfully retrieved a number of eggs which are now safely frozen in long-term storage.The hardest part, she recalled, was "Feeling very heavy before the procedure! But it wasn’t too bad."

The first injection was the hardest

A common fear among many who embark on the journey of egg freezing is the shots. Aagya, despite having taken the MCAT and shadowing doctors before deciding not to pursue medical school, shared this apprehension.

"I was most nervous for the first injection!" Aagya recounted. The idea of injecting herself was unsettling and a significant obstacle she had to overcome. But ultimately, she wanted it more than she was afraid of it. 

With trepidation, she administered that first shot, and much to her relief, discovered that her fears were unfounded. "After administering the first shot, it was a breeze! You can't even feel the needle," she exclaimed.

Her experience with the first injection is a metaphor for the entire egg freezing process and, perhaps, for life's challenges in general. Often, the anticipation of an event can be far more intimidating than the actual experience. Once Aagya faced her fear head-on, she found the rest of the process relatively smooth.

Impact on personal and professional life

The timing of the procedure pushed Aagya's plans by a few months, but the experience also illuminated the compassion of her investors. She said, "I was closing a round of funding, and actually it helped bring light to investors who cared for their founders." One investor even sent her a silk eye mask to help with the recovery process after the procedure.

Aagya was dating someone during this whole process, who is now a long-term boyfriend. “I was dating someone at the time and I didn’t expect it to be such a weird topic to discuss. I think we need to keep de-stigmatizing this. I wasn’t planning a family with him - I was just planning.”

 “I wasn’t planning a family with him - I was just planning”

Aagya's entrepreneurial spirit, combined with her unswerving commitment to empowering women, shines through her personal and professional choices. Her decision to freeze her eggs aligns perfectly with her mission to provide women with the tools and information they need to take control of their health and lives.

Looking back and advice for others

Reflecting on the experience, Aagya expressed no regrets: "I am really glad I did it!" Her advice to others considering egg freezing is resolute: "If you’re considering it, take the leap! Even if it’s just as an insurance for a second kid, if you choose to have kids at all."

Her story, woven with insights, courage, and empathy, contributes to the broader narrative of women's reproductive health. Aagya’s contributions to women’s health, her leadership, and her personal journey serve as an inspiration to many, underscoring the importance of empowerment, awareness, and self-care in our lives. Her work with Aavia continues to break barriers and establish connections, highlighting the essential dialogue between health, technology, and personal empowerment.

Learn more about egg freezing:

• I'm Afraid of Needles; Can I Still Freeze My Eggs?
• Should I Freeze Eggs or Embryos?
• The Fearless Journey: Missy Modell on Freezing Her Eggs
• Five Reasons to Freeze and Share Your Eggs with Another Family

More and more people in the US (and the rest of the world) are taking control of their reproductive health and fertility by choosing to freeze their eggs. Whether this is so they can focus on a career, get an insurance policy with coverage for treatments, or because of medical reasons, this has allowed people to delay having children until whenever they’re ready to start a family.

If you’re thinking about freezing your eggs, you probably have tons of questions. In this article, we’re going to focus on a very common question: “How can I increase my chances of success when I freeze my eggs?”

Factors that can affect egg freezing success rates

Before an egg freezing cycle

Let’s start by going through what specific things make a difference in your chances of success before you even freeze your eggs.

Age

Age has been proven by countless research studies to be one of the biggest determinants of egg quality. As a person ages, their eggs are more likely to become aneuploid, meaning they’re genetically “abnormal.” This can lead to issues with both getting and staying pregnant (i.e, higher risk of miscarriages). On top of that, as a person ages, the number of eggs their ovaries contain continues to decrease naturally. Once a person reaches their mid to late thirties, the quality and quantity of eggs starts to go down more quickly. While there is no “perfect” age at which to freeze your eggs, freezing them before you reach your late 30s is considered ideal. 

AMH level

Another important factor is your Anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) level. This is a simple blood test that is commonly used to tell us a person’s reproductive potential based on the number and the quality of eggs they have left in their ovaries. AMH is released by antral follicles, which are small, fluid-filled sacs in the ovaries that each contain a single oocyte (immature egg). Your AMH level is positively correlated with the number of antral follicles you have in your ovaries. Simply stated, the more follicles you have, the higher your AMH level typically is. AMH naturally goes down as a person gets older until it reaches close to zero during perimenopause. While there is no international standard for what a normal AMH level is, some studies have tried to create models for what’s considered normal for specific ages. Check out this article to find out more about AMH levels at different ages.

Antral follicle count

Antral follicle count (AFC) is another number to be aware of before egg freezing. AFC is used in fertility assessments to estimate the number of developing follicles in someone’s ovaries at a specific point in the menstrual cycle using ultrasound. As mentioned before, the more follicles you have (the higher your AFC is), the higher your AMH level. And just like your AMH, your AFC will also naturally go down as you age. 

How these values affect your egg freezing success 

Unfortunately, there isn’t a lot that can be done about aging or about the decline in AMH and AFC that goes with it but there are a few things to know about how they affect your egg freezing changes. 

• Ovarian reserve assessment. Age, AMH and AFC all provide valuable information about a person’s ovarian reserve. In general, younger age, higher AMH levels, and a higher AFC are good indicators that you have a larger pool of potential eggs in the ovaries. This means that you’re more likely to produce more eggs during an egg retrieval cycle, which increases the chances of a successful egg freezing cycle.
• Response to ovarian stimulation. Part of the egg freezing cycle includes taking medications to stimulate the ovaries to develop multiple eggs at once (as opposed to just one during a natural, unmedicated menstrual cycle). The response to these medications can vary based on age, AMH, and AFC. People who are younger and those who have a higher AFC/AMH tend to have a better response and produce more mature eggs during the stimulation. This increases the chances of retrieving a larger number of high-quality eggs for freezing.
• Number of cycles. In some cases, people with a lower AFC and/or AMH may have to go through more than one egg freezing cycle in order to get an adequate number of eggs. This can get costly and time-consuming pretty quickly.
• Future fertility potential. The number and quality of frozen eggs affects the chances of having a successful pregnancy when the frozen eggs are later thawed, fertilized, and transferred during an in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatment. A higher AFC and AMH can mean a higher number of frozen eggs, which increases a person’s chances of success in the future. However, neither of these numbers is the end-all-be-all here. In fact, while AMH does seem to have some association with live birth rates after IVF, its ability to actually predict a live birth is not that great, especially for younger people.

Again, all three of these factors aren’t necessarily things you can change so it can be easy to get discouraged if your values aren’t where you want them to be. Remember that each of these is just one value your provider looks at to assess your overall reproductive potential. No value by itself can completely predict your chances of conceiving naturally or define your fertility. A comprehensive assessment of a person’s fertility potential has to be done by a fertility specialist before jumping to any conclusions and making decisions about fertility preservation.

During an egg freezing cycle

Now, let’s go through the factors during an egg freezing cycle that can affect your chances of success.

Quantity and quality of eggs retrieved

The success rates of egg freezing cycles are significantly influenced by both the number and quality of eggs retrieved. The number of eggs retrieved is important because it directly correlates with the chances of developing viable embryos after thawing. This is definitely a case of “more is more”--the more eggs that are successfully frozen, the higher the probability of having viable embryos when the time comes. 

However, the quality of the retrieved eggs is just as important. High-quality eggs have a better chance of surviving the freezing and thawing process than low-quality ones. So, as you can imagine, a cycle with lots of eggs that are all low-quality isn’t necessarily more successful than another cycle that produced less eggs but they’re all high-quality. 

As a result, fertility providers will always aim to maximize both the quantity and quality of the eggs retrieved. This is essential for improving  the success rates of egg freezing cycles so that, ultimately, we end up with healthier embryos and better chances of a successful pregnancy.

Type of freezing method used 

There are two main techniques used for freezing eggs: slow freezing and vitrification. The slow freezing method involves gradually lowering the temperature of the eggs, which allows ice crystals to form within the cells. This process can damage the delicate internal structure of the eggs, which can lead to lower viability and success rates once the eggs are thawed. In contrast, vitrification is a freezing process that solidifies the eggs quickly without forming ice crystals. This method protects the cell’s internal structures better and has been shown to increase post-thaw survival rates. This in turn, means higher success rates during IVF treatments. It makes complete sense, then, that vitrification has become the preferred way to freeze eggs.

Tips to increase egg freezing success rates

Alright, so now that we’ve established what’s important when it comes to egg freezing, what exactly can you do to maximize these factors for yourself? 

• Consider freezing your eggs at a younger age. There may not be much we can do about the fact that we’re all getting older but in terms of egg freezing, the general rule is that the younger you can do it, the better. According to the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM), the ideal time to freeze your eggs is in your 20s and early 30s, while you have more eggs and those eggs are healthier. So, whether you’re 25 or 35, your eggs today are still probably healthier than your eggs in one, five or 10 years!
• Optimize your fertility health before beginning the egg freezing process. This step will look a little different from person to person since everyone has their own unique medical history and concerns. Generally speaking though, optimizing your health will include following a balanced diet and making other healthy lifestyle choices. In some cases, you may want to consider adding certain vitamins and supplements to your regimen too. Make sure to talk to your fertility specialist if you’re not sure!
• Consider using a different type of freezing method. Ask your fertility provider which method they plan to use when freezing your eggs. Vitrification is the more common method now given its improved outcomes when compared to slow freezing but it doesn’t hurt to confirm that this is the method your particular clinic uses.   
• Consider doing multiple egg retrieval cycles. If you have the resources and time to do multiple cycles, this can vastly improve the pool of eggs to choose from in the future. This is an especially helpful option for people who are older or have a low AMH level or AFC. If your fertility provider thinks more cycles will improve your chances, they’ll discuss those recommendations with you.
• Be particular about the clinic you choose. There are a ton of fertility clinics to choose from nowadays, so take the time to do some detective work and find one that works for your needs. If you know people who’ve used a fertility clinic, ask them for their honest opinions. Read reviews. Look up the providers’ credentials (usually listed on the clinic’s website). You can also find out the clinic’s success rates in terms of live births and other important statistics through their website. Schedule a couple consultations to compare your options. Make sure to come with questions and to actually ask them all. If you’re not sure what to ask, check out some suggestions here. 

Emotional considerations

It’s important that we take a second to talk about the emotional side of this experience. For many people, the decision to freeze their eggs is tied to hopes of preserving future fertility. When a lab test or a cycle doesn't yield the desired results, there can be feelings of hopelessness, frustration, sadness, anxiety, and uncertainty about future family planning options. On top of that, this isn’t a cheap or simple process! So there can be disappointment stemming from both the financial and physical investments that have been made. 

Because of all of this, seeking support and guidance throughout this process has to be a priority. Support from both loved ones and through professional counseling can make a huge difference when it comes to coping with the emotions you might be dealing with. 

Establishing clear and open communication with your fertility providers also plays a key part in helping people cope with the challenges that might come up. Your providers know the ins and outs of your particular situation so they’re the most qualified to tell you what you need to prioritize (and what you can ignore) to improve the success of your egg freezing cycle(s).

With all the nuances involved here, it’s important not to get lost in the weeds. Fertility is impacted by so many factors that you can drive yourself crazy trying to manage all of them. Remember, you are more than any number. 

Conclusion

To recap, there are several different factors that can affect the success of an egg freezing cycle including your age, AMH level, AFC, the number and quality of eggs retrieved, and the type of freeing method used. Some of these, you don’t have control over. For the ones you can control, there are a few things you can do. 

Optimizing your fertility health before the egg freezing process, freezing your eggs at a younger age, doing more than one cycle, and using a safer freezing option are all ways that you can improve your chances of a successful freezing cycle. This process can be so overwhelming— focusing on the things that you can control can help you feel more grounded throughout your fertility journey. 

Freeze by Co is here to help you every step of the way on that journey. With our Keep program, you’re able to freeze your eggs and keep them all for yourself, on your timeline. In addition, you’ll have access to our online support community, the Nest. This is a valuable resource that lets you engage with other people freezing their eggs at the same time!

Missy Modell is no stranger to breaking boundaries. A fierce advocate for women's rights and an inspiring artist, she is open and honest about her own experiences. In a candid interview with us, Missy shares her journey of freezing her eggs, a deeply personal and empowering decision that reflects the challenges and choices women face today.

From doubt to decision

"I was really against egg freezing at first!" Missy shared. But her initial resistance gave way to reflection and realization. "Ultimately, I decided that at this very moment in my life and career, I am not ready to have children but I do know that I want them at some point."

The process: challenges and triumphs

Missy started the process at 35, but got scared and held off for a year. She finally began a year later, but observed significant changes in her body during that year, as her AMH dropped from 2.5 to 1.5, a realization that underscored the urgency of her decision. "I knew that if I was going to do it, now was the time!" she told us.

They ultimately retrieved 13 eggs and were able to freeze 10. Missy's reflections resonate with empowerment and gratitude. The rewards were not just in the outcomes but in the newfound connection with her body and a sense of autonomy and control over her future. Her journey is a testament to resilience, self-awareness, and the power of informed and thoughtful decision-making.

On the complexities of the egg freezing process, Missy shared, "The hardest part was honestly the aftermath. I had a sense of doom and depressed feelings that lasted a few weeks." 

But her journey wasn't without triumphs. "The thing that worried me most was being under anesthesia for the retrieval, but that ended up being one of the seamless parts of the whole experience! I felt so safe," she revealed.

Reflections and looking ahead

"I honestly can’t believe I did it! I am really proud of myself and very happy with my decision," Missy said, looking back on the experience. Her relationship with her body changed profoundly as well: "The entire journey made me feel so connected to my body, my cycle, and other women who have also undergone fertility treatment."

"The entire journey made me feel so connected to my body, my cycle, and other women who have also undergone fertility treatment."

This connection, born from a deeply personal experience, transcends the medical procedure itself. It's a testament to a shared understanding and empathy among women who have faced similar decisions. Missy's story isn't just about the choices she made for her future; it's a unifying narrative that resonates with countless women navigating their reproductive journeys, forging bonds of strength, compassion, and courage.

Advice for others

Missy's advice for others is rich in empathy and wisdom. "Freezing your eggs is not a failure. It took me so long to get past the shame of it all but I quickly learned that it’s an incredibly kind thing to do for yourself." She also stresses the importance of self-care, advising, "Be compassionate and kind to yourself. This is a very emotional process that brings up a LOT. Focus on the gratitude for being able to go through this process in the first place and how good you will feel when it’s done!"

Freezing your eggs is not a failure. It took me so long to get past the shame of it all but I quickly learned that it’s an incredibly kind thing to do for yourself.

Missy Modell's candid and heartfelt sharing paints a vivid picture of a journey filled with challenges, resilience, and empowerment. Her experience, in her own words, showcases a deeply personal aspect of women's health that often goes unspoken. Missy's story is more than just about egg freezing; it's a celebration of female strength, autonomy, and the embracing of life's possibilities. Her reflection rings loud and clear: "Women are truly fearless," and her own story stands as a testament to that truth.

Read more:

• How Many Eggs Should I Aim to Freeze?
• How Many Times Should I Freeze My Eggs?
• Should I Freeze My Eggs If I'm Not Yet Sure I Want Children?

Simmone Taitt, Founder and CEO of Poppyseed Health, is no stranger to reproductive health. In an interview with Cofertility, Simmone opens up about her embryo freezing experience. She shares her motivations, challenges, and the rewards she discovered along the way, providing invaluable insights for those considering this transformative path.

Eggs vs embryos

"I decided to create embryos with my partner because I was undergoing surgery for stage four endometriosis," Simmone explains. "There was a chance that I was going to lose one of my ovaries, and we wanted to preserve our options as much as possible while also addressing the endo." Unfortunately, she did lose her left ovary and fallopian tube, making the decision to create embryos even more significant.

Simmone froze her eggs at the age of 37, retrieving a total of 11 eggs. "I was 37 years old when I retrieved my eggs and we got 11 eggs," she shares. "The ovary that I ended up losing only produced 2 eggs while the other produced 9 eggs." Despite the challenges she faced, Simmone's determination remained unwavering.

Read more about choosing to freeze eggs vs embryos

Reflections on the process

Reflecting on the egg freezing process, Simmone shares, "The process was way more time consuming than I anticipated." She explains the rigorous routine of blood tests every other day for nearly two weeks and intravaginal sonograms during every visit. Simmone's experience was further complicated by the side effects of the stimulation medication due to her endometriosis. "It was tough on my body. I gained 10 pounds during the stimulation period and was very bloated," she reveals. However, the reward of creating embryos outweighed the difficulties she encountered.

For Simmone, the hardest part of the process came after the retrieval. "About four weeks after my first embryo transfer, I ended up in the hospital with a swollen arm," she recalls. "It turned out that I had a deep vein thrombosis (DVT)." This setback disrupted her plans for additional embryo transfers. Despite the challenges, Simmone's spirit remains unbroken.

Picking a fertility clinic

When it came to choosing a fertility clinic and medical professional, Simmone had specific criteria in mind. "I specifically wanted an REI who had experience with medically complex patients with inflammatory diseases," she explains. After consulting with various specialists, Simmone selected an REI whom she felt comfortable and safe with. Although her own journey has not resulted in a successful pregnancy (yet), she referred two friends to the same REI, both of whom had successful first transfers and babies. Simmone emphasizes that each person's body is different and outcomes aren't guaranteed.

Simmone acknowledges the impact of the egg freezing process on her personal and professional life. "Thankfully, I was able to go in for my monitoring hours first thing in the morning, which was the most convenient for my schedule," she shares. However, she also highlights the significant cost involved. "The cost is astronomical," she reveals. While her partner's company covered one round of egg retrievals, Simmone and her partner had to use their savings, around $5,000 to $6,000, to cover the expenses of medication and other aspects of the cycle.

The emotional and psychological aspects of egg freezing

Managing the emotional and psychological aspects of egg freezing presented its own challenges for Simmone. "I had a lot of friends who [have done IVF]. The process is similar, so I had a lot of knowledge going into it, but it was still emotionally tough for me," she admits. Simmone relied on her partner, family, and friends for support. The hormonal effects of the medications heightened her emotions and made her feel tender and vulnerable during that time.

Looking back on her egg freezing experience, Simmone reflects on the need for better awareness of the possible side effects. "I think we commercialize the egg freezing process and IVF to be 'easy' and 'accessible' and 'simple'," she states. Simmone wishes she had been more informed about the potential challenges involved and emphasizes the importance of a realistic understanding of the procedures.

Advice for others

Offering advice to those considering freezing their eggs, Simmone encourages open conversation and seeking support. "It's important to talk to people who have been through the process and get the real stories," she suggests. Simmone emphasizes the deeply personal nature of the decision and underscores the need for support, guidance, and empathy throughout the journey.

Simmone Taitt's story is one of resilience, hope, and empowerment. Her decision to freeze her eggs was driven by a desire to preserve her fertility amidst health challenges. Despite the obstacles she faced, Simmone's unwavering spirit and determination propelled her forward. Her experience serves as a reminder that while the road may be challenging, there is strength in preserving options and embracing the possibilities that lie ahead.

As if choosing to freeze or donate your eggs isn’t a big enough decision — now it’s time to choose who you’re going to work with to do it. With a seemingly endless number of fertility clinics, agencies, and egg banks to choose from (some with more questionable marketing tactics than others), we know how daunting this decision can feel. We’re firm believers in the power of community and know that the best way to make a decision as big as this one is to hear firsthand from other people who have gone through the process themselves. We asked some of our Split members and intended parents about why they chose Cofertility and their experiences so far. Keep reading to see what they had to say.

Why Cofertility?

"Physicians are often forced to sacrifice their most fertile years for their training, and that becomes such a huge source of anxiety for so many female doctors.

This is an opportunity to preserve some of your fertility while doing something amazing for another family." - Christina, Split member

“Something that has held me back from starting a family is financial limitations. However, if I could give someone the opportunity while I pursue my career in hopes of becoming financially unlimited, that would be amazing. ” - Nancy, Split member

"As a fourth year med student, I'm at a stage in my life where having a family isn't really an option and it won't be for 5-10 years. This idea is just beautiful. I can't believe we didn't figure something like this out sooner." - Emily, Split member

“I am incredibly independent and feel that I want to best prepare myself to have options in the future if I have a child on my own or with a partner, that I can ensure a safe and healthy pregnancy in my future when I choose to do so. Entering my late 20s, I have seen more and more of my friends struggle with fertility issues and how incredibly difficult that process is. As a long time nanny, there's nothing more that makes me happy than knowing how love a child can be, so why not be part of that journey!” Claire, Split member

Hear from some of our matched Split members

“Once I met the prospective parents, it was clear they selected me more for my personality than any physical attributes. Overall, I’ve felt like I’m valued as a complete person, not just for my eggs—and they’re so happy to help me on my fertility journey as well.” - Kristen, Split member.”

“[It was important to me to match with a couple] where at least one person was African American. I was also drawn to helping another queer couple in this process. Fortunately, there’s a lot of autonomy and flexibility in terms of what this [journey] looks like for each person.” - Arianna, Split member

Hear from Intended Parents

“We feel so lucky to have come across Cofertility as we’re making the most important decision of our life. They’ve taken what’s become a depersonalized journey and made it into something deeply emotional. They take the time to get to know Intended Parents and Split Members to make sure it’s a perfectly aligned match all around." - Mark & Chirag, Cofertility intended parents

Start your egg freezing journey with Cofertility

Working with Cofertility means working with a platform that honors donors, intended parents, and donor-conceived people alike. We’re here to make your egg freezing journey the human-centered, accessible, and just plain better experience that you deserve with our two unique programs.

With our Split program, members who qualify based on clinic criteria can freeze their eggs entirely for free when they donate half to a family that can’t otherwise conceive.

Through our Keep program, members self-fund their egg freezing journey and keep the entire egg yield for themselves, with discounts and support from our team every step of the way.

With both programs, members also get exclusive access to our members-only community, where they can connect with others going through the egg freezing and donation processes at the same time and lean on each other for support and encouragement.

To see which programs you qualify for and start your journey today, click the link below to take our free, two-minute quiz.

Cancer is a challenging journey that often necessitates numerous life-altering decisions. For women of reproductive age, one of these critical decisions is understanding how cancer treatments might impact fertility and what can be done to preserve it. In this article we’ll explore this delicate intersection of oncology and reproductive health, and talk about the option of egg freezing.

The impact of cancer treatments on fertility

Cancer treatments, while lifesaving, can significantly affect fertility. These impacts can vary depending on the specific treatment, the dose, your age, and the area being treated.

• Chemotherapy medications, designed to target rapidly dividing cells, may inadvertently impact the eggs in the ovaries. This decrease can result in infertility, primary ovarian insufficiency, or a narrowed window of fertility, much like natural aging. Women over 35, having fewer eggs to start with, are more susceptible to this effect.
• Radiation therapy targeted at the pelvis or the entire abdomen can harm eggs and the uterus. The radiation can lead to scarring, or fibrosis, in the uterus, making it challenging for the uterus to accommodate a growing fetus. Consequently, women may face difficulties in conceiving or carrying a pregnancy to term, increasing the risk of miscarriage or premature labor.
• Treatments involving the brain, such as surgery or radiation, can affect the pituitary gland responsible for releasing hormones that stimulate egg maturation and ovulation. While the eggs in the ovaries are not directly damaged, the disruption in hormone regulation can affect fertility. However, hormone replacement medications may help restore fertility in these cases.
• Surgery involving one or both ovaries or the uterus can directly impact fertility. The degree of this impact would depend on the extent of surgical intervention.

If you are considering cancer treatment and are concerned about its potential impact on your fertility, it is important to discuss your concerns with your oncologist and/or a fertility doctor. They can provide you with information about the potential effects of cancer treatment on fertility and help you understand your options for preserving your fertility before treatment begins.

Egg freezing options

For those about to embark on cancer treatment, a few fertility preservation options can increase the chances of having biological children in the future. 

Egg freezing (oocyte cryopreservation) is a process involving stimulating the ovaries with hormones to produce multiple eggs, which are then retrieved and frozen for future use. The entire process takes about two weeks from start to finish, but the start date depends on your menstrual cycle. 

If you have a partner or choose to use donor sperm, the eggs can be fertilized before freezing, creating embryos for future implantation. The benefit of fertilizing the eggs immediately is that you will know how many embryos you have for future use.

Ovarian tissue freezing is a relatively new and experimental technique that involves surgically removing and freezing ovarian tissue, which contains thousands of immature eggs. This tissue can later be re-implanted to restore fertility or used to mature eggs in the laboratory. This may be an option for those who are not able to undergo egg freezing due the urgent need to begin cancer treatment.

To freeze or not to freeze

Making a choice on which fertility preservation option to pursue, if any, can be a difficult decision. A myriad of factors play into this decision, including your current health, age, cancer type, the proposed treatment regimen, personal circumstances, and future family plans.

Navigating a cancer diagnosis while also thinking about future fertility can be emotionally overwhelming. There are not only physical implications to consider, but also emotional, psychological, and social dimensions to this journey.

The chosen method must be compatible with your treatment plan and timing, as some methods require hormonal stimulation and time to mature and retrieve the eggs. A fertility doctor, alongside your oncology team, can provide the most accurate advice based on your unique situation.

It's important to seek emotional and mental health support during this challenging time. Reach out to your health care team, a mental health professional, supportive loved ones, or a support group of others going through a similar experience. It can be helpful to share your feelings, fears, and hopes, and to hear others' experiences and insights.

Financial considerations - how to pay for egg freezing 

Another important aspect to consider is the cost of fertility preservation treatments. These procedures can be expensive, and not all are covered by insurance. Average egg freezing costs range from $10,000 - $20,000 for consultations, testing, ultrasounds, medications, and the egg retrieval, plus the ongoing cost of annual storage. But ultimately depends on the clinic you’re going to, where you are located, the medications you are prescribed (it differs based on your age and body), and where/how long you store the eggs.

There may be ways to lessen the financial burden, including:

Insurance coverage 

Begin by thoroughly understanding your insurance coverage. Some health insurance plans provide partial or complete coverage for fertility preservation, especially in cases of medically necessary treatments such as cancer. Legislation in certain states mandates insurance coverage for fertility preservation for cancer patients. 

As of the writing of this article, these states require health insurance plans to cover medically necessary fertility preservation:

• California
• Colorado
• Connecticut
• Delaware
• Illinois
• Kentucky
• Louisiana
• Maryland
• New Hampshire
• New Jersey
• New York
• Rhode Island
• Texas
• Utah

Reach out to your insurance provider to understand what is covered and what out-of-pocket costs you can anticipate.

Flexible Spending Account (FSA) or Health Savings Account (HSA)

If you have an FSA or HSA through your insurance plan, these funds can often be used to cover fertility preservation expenses. Check with your plan administrator to confirm what expenses qualify.

Tax deductions

The IRS has traditionally considered fertility preservation treatments, like egg freezing, to be tax-deductible when they are deemed medically necessary. This typically refers to situations where a medical condition or treatment (such as chemotherapy for cancer) could cause infertility. You’ll want to talk to a tax professional about which egg freezing expenses you can deduct from your taxes.

Negotiating prices and shop around 

Don't hesitate to discuss the costs with your fertility clinic. Some clinics may offer discounted rates or payment plans for individuals facing financial constraints. Get pricing from a few clinics to see your options. 

Financing options

There are a growing number of financing options, such as loans or payment plans, to help patients pay for egg freezing. These options allow you to spread the cost of the procedure over several months, making it more manageable. For example, Sunfish makes egg freezing (and fertility treatment in general) attainable for all types of families with low-interest loans or lines of credit.

Financial assistance programs and grants for cancer patients

Numerous organizations offer grants or financial aid to cancer patients seeking fertility preservation. Examples include the Livestrong Fertility Program, Team Maggie, Chick Mission, the SAMFund, The Ferring Heartbeat program, and Fertile Action. These organizations aim to alleviate the financial burden of fertility preservation and increase access to these vital services.

Crowdfunding

With the rising popularity of crowdfunding platforms, many people turn to their community, near and far, for financial support. Websites like GoFundMe can be used to raise funds for medical treatments.

Employer benefits 

Increasingly, employers are recognizing the importance of supporting their employees' reproductive health and are incorporating fertility benefits into their packages. Explore whether your employer offers any such benefits or whether they would consider adding them.

Options if you choose not to freeze your eggs

If you don’t freeze your eggs before cancer treatment, it's important to remember that does not mean the end of the road for parenthood. There are multiple paths available to build a family. 

It may be possible to regain fertility naturally after cancer treatments, particularly if you are under 30 at the time of treatment. You’ll want to talk with your oncologist and a fertility doctor about when it would be safe to try for a pregnancy and the potential risks involved.

For women whose ovarian reserve has been significantly impacted, the use of donor eggs can be a great option. In this process, eggs from a donor are fertilized with your partner's sperm (or donor sperm), and the resulting embryos are implanted in your uterus. This path allows you to experience pregnancy and childbirth.

If the uterus has been damaged by radiation or surgery, or if pregnancy poses a health risk, gestational surrogacy might be an option. In this case, an embryo (created with your egg or a donor egg and your partner's or a donor's sperm) is carried by a gestational carrier.

Finally, adoption remains a heartfelt path to parenthood for many individuals and couples. Adopting a child can be a fulfilling choice that meets the deep desire to raise and nurture a child.

Living with the aftermath of a cancer diagnosis can be challenging, particularly when it affects your family planning. However, remember that numerous avenues to parenthood remain open, and while they may not be the paths you initially envisioned, they can be equally rewarding and enriching. Your dream of becoming a parent can still be a reality; it might just involve a different route than you originally planned.

Summing it up

Navigating the landscape of cancer and fertility can be laden with emotional and medical complexities. However, armed with knowledge about potential impacts and available options, you can make an informed decision that aligns with your future family-building aspirations. Your oncology and fertility teams can provide guidance and support, helping you weave your way through this intricate journey and minimizing future regrets. In the end, the goal is to optimize not just survival, but also quality of life and future dreams.

Embarking on the path of family planning is an exciting journey filled with hope and, often, uncertainty. One area that typically gives rise to a multitude of questions revolves around oocyte cryopreservation, commonly known as egg freezing. While this medical breakthrough has provided countless women with greater reproductive autonomy, it's still not a definitive guarantee of biological motherhood.

In this guide, we’ll try and answer one of the most common questions around egg freezing: the chances of live birth. 

From frozen eggs to baby

At every stage of the in vitro fertilization (IVF) process (which is technically what egg freezing is, plus embryo fertilization in a lab), there's a certain level of attrition. Some collected eggs may be immature, making them unsuitable for freezing. Others may not withstand the thawing process. When you’re ready to fertilize those eggs into embryos, they will not necessarily all fertilize, and some fertilized embryos may fail to mature into viable embryos suitable for transfer. Even embryos that reach the transfer stage might not be genetically normal. And those that are genetically normal may not result in a viable pregnancy or live birth.

As a result, egg freezing is better viewed as a way to increase your chances of pregnancy down the line, rather than an insurance policy or a surefire plan. It’s a path filled with potential, and definitely gives you greater optionality when you’re ready to  have kids, but — and we are always very transparent about this — there is unfortunately no absolute promise of a live birth at the end of the egg freezing process.

How many eggs should I freeze?

Given these complexities, a pressing question for many women is, “how many eggs should I freeze to increase my chances of having a baby?” The answer is nuanced and largely depends on two variables: the age at which the eggs are frozen, and how many children you want.

Unfortunately, the quality of eggs can't be assessed before fertilization is attempted, adding another layer of uncertainty to this equation. Still, we can provide an approximate guide based on averages, which can inform individualized counseling, treatment planning, and expectation management.

One study out of Harvard Medical School of 520 cycles found the chances of live birth varies based on age and number of eggs frozen (see chart below). This guidance is not precise, but offers an approximate benchmark to guide you through your fertility journey. 

How many eggs will I get?

Another common inquiry from patients is how many eggs are likely to be retrieved and preserved in a single egg freezing cycle. The good news is that this is fairly easy for fertility doctors to predict using two crucial measures: anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) and antral follicle count (AFC).

AMH and AFC, both estimators of ovarian reserve, can provide an approximation of the number of eggs that can be retrieved from a stimulated cycle. For instance, an AMH level of 15 pmol/L (2.1 ng/mL) could predict a yield of approximately 12 to 18 eggs. Similarly, AFC's numerical value directly correlates with the number of eggs potentially collected in one cycle, with a rough ratio of 1:1. So if your fertility doctor counts 15 antral follicles during the transvaginal ultrasound, you could potentially retrieve 15 eggs in a single cycle (note this number could be lower or higher based on other factors).

Will I have enough eggs to share?

Cofertility’s Split program offers women a chance to freeze their eggs *for free* when donating half of the eggs retrieved to a family who cannot otherwise conceive. If you qualify for the program and decide to donate half of your retrieved eggs, every expense associated with the egg freezing procedure —  medications, supplements, travel if necessary, insurance, and 10 years of storage — are completely free of charge.

Since the number of eggs is predictable with AMH and AFC, we’re only able to accept people into the program if we are confident they would have enough eggs to “split”. 

Setting expectations 

You can look at the probabilities and hormonal indicators, but everyone’s egg freezing journey is unique. Age, health, lifestyle, and genetic factors can all play a role in your path to motherhood. Remember, egg freezing is a science, but it's not an exact one. The uncertainties are part of the process. And while the prospect of attrition can seem daunting, it's important to remember that every step forward is a step closer to the potential for success.

Navigating these complexities can feel overwhelming, which is why support and guidance are crucial. At Cofertility, our mission is to guide you through this journey, providing you with the necessary information, support, and encouragement to make the best decisions for your fertility future.

Although egg freezing can't offer guaranteed outcomes, it has undoubtedly provided hundreds of thousands of women worldwide with expanded options and increased flexibility in their reproductive timelines. By understanding the process's intricacies and setting realistic expectations, we can navigate this journey together, with optimism, resilience, and hope.

Freeze your eggs with Cofertility

Cofertility is a human-first, tech-enabled fertility ecosystem that provides people agency over if, how, and when they have babies — today or someday. We have two programs for egg freezers:

Our Split program offers women a chance to freeze their eggs for free when donating half of the eggs retrieved to a family who cannot otherwise conceive. If you qualify for the program and decide to donate half of your retrieved eggs, every expense associated with the egg freezing procedure —  medications, supplements, travel if necessary, insurance, and 10 years of storage — are completely free of charge. We don’t even need a payment or credit card up front, as the family you match with covers all the expenses.

Our self-pay Keep program allows women to freeze their eggs and keep them all for their future use. Through Keep, we offer our members partnerships and discounts to lighten the financial load of egg freezing, as well as access to our member community.

The benefits for of working with Cofertility include:

• Power of choice: Freeze your eggs more affordably or, if you qualify, freeze for free when you give half to a family who can’t otherwise conceive.
• Community: Our inclusive online spaces allow you to connect with others going through the process in our private online community.
• Compassion: We’ll always treat you with care, and our Split program gives you the opportunity to make someone’s family building dreams a reality.
• Data-driven: We provide you with trustworthy guidance and evidence-based research so you can make informed decisions about your fertility.
• Free egg freezing: Freeze and store your eggs for 10 years, entirely for free if you qualify for our Split program.

Ready to learn about more affordable (even free!) egg freezing with Cofertility? Fill out this quick quiz to learn about our accessible egg freezing options and see if you qualify for our programs — it only takes one minute.

Read more:

• Should I Freeze Eggs or Embryos?
• Which Matters More for Fertility: AMH or Age?
• Do’s and Don’ts During Egg Freezing: Alcohol, Baths, Exercise, and More

Egg freezing, also known as oocyte cryopreservation, has grown in popularity, with a 46% increase in egg freezing cycles from 2020 to 2021 alone! This transformative medical procedure has garnered significant attention and interest. 

Amidst all the buzz and excitement, it's important to navigate your egg freezing journey with the facts. To ensure a successful and fulfilling experience, we've curated a guide to help you avoid seven common mistakes people make when freezing their eggs. 

Working with the wrong doctor

The importance of selecting the right doctor for your egg freezing journey cannot be overstated. Entrusting your reproductive health to a skilled and compassionate fertility specialist is paramount. Choosing a doctor who understands your unique needs, communicates effectively, and provides personalized care is essential for a successful egg freezing experience. 

Take the time to research and seek recommendations, ensuring you find a doctor who aligns with your values, instills confidence, and supports you every step of the way. Remember, the right doctor can make all the difference in your pursuit of fertility preservation.

Read more in What To Look For in An Egg Freezing Clinic

Not freezing their eggs sooner

We are born with all the eggs we will ever have, and lose them each month until we hit menopause and no eggs remain. Not only that, but our quality of eggs decline along with quantity. This is because eggs are more likely to contain chromosomal abnormalities (mistakes in their DNA) as we get older. 

One of the biggest mistakes individuals make is underestimating the impact of age on egg freezing. Fertility specialists often emphasize the significance of freezing eggs at a younger age, ideally before 40. Time is a precious resource when it comes to preserving fertility, and being proactive ensures a higher chance of success.

One survey study of 98 patients found that the vast majority of egg freezers showed no regret, stating that it was a good decision. But some stated that their only regret was not doing it sooner.

Overlooking lifestyle factors

Creating an optimal environment for egg freezing involves mindful attention to various lifestyle factors. Mistakes are made when individuals underestimate the significance of a balanced diet, regular exercise, and healthy habits. Embrace a nutrient-rich diet, prioritize stress management techniques, and maintain a consistent sleep routine. By incorporating these lifestyle choices, you not only enhance your overall well-being but also create an environment conducive to successful egg freezing.

Skipping the pre-freezing fertility assessment

Embarking on the egg freezing journey without a comprehensive fertility assessment is akin to navigating uncharted waters without a map. To avoid this mistake, consult a knowledgeable fertility specialist who can evaluate your ovarian reserve, hormonal levels, and overall reproductive health. This pre-freezing evaluation allows for a tailored approach and provides valuable insights into your ovarian reserve, which can help predict how well your body would respond to egg freezing medications. Knowledge is power, and a thorough assessment is the first step towards a graceful and informed decision.

Ignoring emotional support

The egg freezing journey can be emotionally charged, as it involves contemplation of one's fertility and future family-building aspirations. Neglecting emotional support during this transformative process is a common yet avoidable mistake. Seek a support system composed of loved ones, therapists, or support groups who can provide guidance, empathy, and understanding. Emotional well-being is the cornerstone of this journey, and by tending to it, you pave the way for a more harmonious experience.

If you freeze your eggs with Cofertility, our inclusive online spaces allow you to connect with others going through the process at the same time.

Thinking it’s an insurance policy

One misunderstanding people make when freezing their eggs is viewing it as an insurance policy against future infertility. While egg freezing does offer a chance to preserve fertility potential, it's important to understand its limitations and set realistic expectations.

Egg freezing is not a guarantee of future pregnancy. It is a proactive step to preserve eggs at a younger age when they are more viable, increasing the chances of successful conception later on. However, there are various factors that can influence the outcome, such as the quality of the eggs, overall health, age at the time of egg freezing, quality of the egg freezing clinic, sperm health, and the chosen fertility treatment in the future.

It's essential to have a clear understanding of the success rates associated with egg freezing and the potential limitations. The chances of achieving a successful pregnancy with frozen eggs can vary depending on individual factors and the quality of the eggs at the time of freezing. Consulting with a fertility doctor can provide valuable insights into your specific situation.

Failing to plan for the future

Freezing eggs is a remarkable step towards reproductive empowerment, but it should not be seen as a standalone solution. A mistake often made is neglecting to plan for the future beyond egg freezing. Engage in discussions with your fertility doctor about next steps, including potential pathways to parenthood, such as in vitro fertilization (IVF). By mapping out your future plans, you embrace a sense of preparedness and ensure a seamless transition when the time comes to utilize your frozen eggs.

Paying too much

One of the common mistakes people make when freezing their eggs is not fully understanding the costs involved and potentially paying more than necessary. The pricing structure for egg freezing can be complex and opaque, leading to confusion and unexpected financial burdens. Average egg freezing cycle costs range from $10,000 - $20,000 for consultations, testing, ultrasounds, medications, and the egg retrieval, plus the ongoing cost of annual storage.

If you work with Cofertility, you can rest assured that you’re getting the best price when working with one of our partner clinics. Through our Keep program, we offer our members partnerships and discounts to lighten the financial load of egg freezing, as well as access to our member community.

Or, in our Split program, which offers women a chance to freeze your eggs *for free* when donating half the eggs to a family who cannot otherwise conceive. If you qualify for the program, every expense associated with the egg freezing procedure —  medications, supplements, travel if necessary, insurance, and 10 years of storage — are completely free of charge. We don’t even need a payment or credit card up front, as the family you match with covers all the expenses.

Let us help you freeze those eggs!

If you are interested in freezing your eggs, we can connect you with a fertility specialist for a consultation to discuss your specific situation. Our Freeze by Co platform is making egg freezing more empowering, positive, and accessible — even free — when you give half of the eggs retrieved to a family who can’t otherwise conceive.

As a potential egg donor, you may be wondering about the qualifications, including if there’s a minimum AMH (Anti-Mullerian Hormone) levels. Understanding this hormone and its significance is critical in the egg freezing and donation process, especially if you're considering donating your eggs through an egg share program like the one offered by Cofertility. Let's delve into these important topics.

What is AMH anyway?

The Anti-Mullerian Hormone, or AMH, is a hormone secreted by the cells of developing egg sacs (follicles) within the ovaries. AMH levels are often used as an indicator of ovarian reserve, which means the quantity of eggs that are available for fertilization. The hormone plays an important role in fertility care as it provides insights into ovarian function and the potential to produce viable eggs during egg freezing.

AMH testing is a common part of the fertility workup as it helps doctors understand more about your ovarian reserve and ability to retrieve eggs that can be successfully fertilized. It is important to note that AMH level is not a measure of egg quality, but of quantity, and its level remains fairly constant throughout the menstrual cycle, which makes it a good measure for predicting ovarian reserve at any time. 

What AMH do I need to donate my eggs?

Through our Split program, qualified freezers can freeze their eggs for free when donating half of the eggs retrieved to a family who can’t otherwise conceive.

In the context of donating through our Split program, having an appropriate level of AMH is important. Fertility doctors typically consider an AMH level above 2.0 ng/ml as a good indicator for egg donation, and this is the benchmark used at Cofertility. Note that some clinics have a higher requirement.

This level suggests that you are likely to respond well to fertility treatments and produce a sufficient number of eggs for both donation and personal use. This allows us to proceed with the egg retrieval process in a manner that is both safe and effective.

However, if your AMH level is lower than this, it does not necessarily mean you cannot freeze your eggs. You can still qualify for our Keep program — where you keep 100% of eggs retrieved for your own future use — we offer exclusive discounts on expenses, such as frozen egg storage. Keep members also still gain free access to our Freeze by Co Community, a safe space for those engaging in the egg freezing process (or gearing up for it) to connect and lean on each other.

Everyone is unique, and AMH is just one factor of many that we consider during the evaluation process. You can learn more about qualifications for our Split program here. 

What is egg sharing?

Our unique model allows you to donate your eggs while also preserving half for your own future use. This can be an advantageous option for those who want to help others by donating their eggs, but are uncomfortable with other egg donation programs.

We believe egg sharing balances the interests of the donor and the recipient. It opens up opportunities for families seeking to conceive via donated eggs while respecting the donor's potential future family planning needs.

Egg donation with Cofertility

At Cofertility, we are striving to be the best place to be an egg donor (or what we call, a Split Member). We offer a supportive and transparent process that empowers donors to make informed decisions about their egg donation journey.

With our innovative approach, donors get to keep half of the eggs retrieved, plus:

• Free storage of their own eggs in cryopreservation for up to 10 years
• Coverage of all medical costs for the egg donation process
• Connection to the Cofertility community for support all along the way and after too
• The ability to work with the intended parents to decide together what your relationship will look like

If giving your eggs to intended parents sounds like something you would like to do, you may be able to qualify for the free egg freezing process and have your donation process covered too.

Take our quiz to see if you qualify for Split!

We believe that every donor deserves to have a positive and empowering experience, and we are committed to making that a reality. That’s why Cofertility was named one of the Best Egg Donor Programs by Egg Donor Connect.

Summing it up

Understanding your AMH level is a crucial part of the egg donation process as it provides an indication of your ovarian reserve, thereby shaping your egg freezing journey.

While an AMH level above 2 ng/ml is ideal for egg donation, it's important to remember that it's not the sole determinant of your eligibility. The process is multifaceted, taking into account various factors, and everyone’s situation is unique.

At Cofertility, we’re here to guide you every step of the way. From understanding your AMH levels to navigating through the egg sharing process, our team of fertility experts is ready to assist you in making informed decisions about your reproductive health and fertility journey. Your contribution as an egg donor can change lives, including your own.

Read more:

• What Medications and Supplements Affect AMH Levels?
• The Ultimate Guide to Egg Donation
• I Want to Freeze My Eggs: What's the Egg Retrieval Process Really Like?
• Is It Painful to Freeze or Donate My Eggs?

The ability to freeze human eggs has been a major breakthrough in reproductive technology. It has empowered egg freezers with the option to delay childbearing, preserve their fertility in the face of medical conditions or treatments, and allow them to focus on their careers or personal goals without feeling so much of the pressure of the "biological clock." 

At Cofertility, we help people navigate egg freezing and make it more affordable (even free if you qualify for our Split program). But if you’re afraid of needles, you may wonder if you can handle the egg freezing process. The short answer is yes, but it's important to understand the process and what to expect. As someone who personally overcame a fear of needles to undergo several egg retrievals, I hope to provide some insight and tips to help you feel more at ease.

If you’re afraid of needles, you’re not alone!

If you have a fear of needles, know that you aren’t alone. In fact, 1 in 4 adults have strong fears around needles! The difference between a fear and a phobia is that phobias are considered unfounded fears when you are not actually in danger. Phobias are harder to control and need more work to overcome. 

Fears and phobias can vary from mild to severe – and it’s good to take stock of where you fall on that spectrum. Regardless, there is absolutely nothing to be ashamed of.

Needle phobia and egg freezing: can you freeze eggs without shots and blood draws?

Unfortunately, there is currently no way to freeze your eggs without needles (calling all scientists: if you invent a way to make this possible, it will be game changing!). This is because the process of egg freezing involves stimulating the ovaries with hormones (aka fertility medication) to produce multiple eggs, which are then retrieved with a needle while under anesthesia. There are also blood draws to determine your hormone levels, and an IV for sedation during the retrieval itself.  So, unfortunately, shots and blood draws are a necessary part of the process.

How do I get over my fear of egg freezing needles?

If you are afraid of needles, it's important to acknowledge your fear and work through it. Ignoring or avoiding the issue will only make it worse. Here are some strategies that may help you overcome your fear:

• Education: Learn as much as you can about the egg freezing process. Knowing what to expect can make it less scary. Talk to others who have gone through the process. 
• Exposure therapy: Exposure therapy is a form of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), which consists of directly facing the object (needles) that causes you fear. You would work with a therapist through graduated exposure until you are no longer fearful. 
• Deep breathing: Practice deep breathing exercises to help you relax.
• Visualization: Visualize yourself going through the process successfully and feeling proud of yourself for facing your fear.
• Distraction: Listen to music, watch puppy videos, or chat with the nurse to take your mind off the injections. The good news is that they are quick!

Talking to your egg freezing doctor about your needle phobia

Talking to your doctor or nurse coordinator about your needle phobia is an important step in managing your fear and making the egg freezing process more manageable. When discussing your phobia with your doctor, be open and honest. Remember that there is no shame, and that your doctor has worked with many patients like you! 

Explain your fear and how it affects you, and don't be afraid to ask questions. Your doctor can provide you with information and support to help you feel more comfortable during the process. Together, you can work out a plan to manage your fear and find ways to make the injections less intimidating. Remember, your doctor is there to help you, and communication is key to a successful egg freezing experience.

How many injections are needed for egg freezing?

The number of injections required for egg freezing can vary depending on the individual and the specific protocol used, but typically ranges from one to three injections per day for the duration of the stimulation which is typically between 10-12 days. Your doctor will monitor your progress and adjust the dosage as needed.

How many blood draws are needed for egg freezing?

You will likely need several blood draws during your egg freezing journey to see how your hormones are responding. Blood draws, also known as venipuncture or phlebotomy, is a procedure in which blood is taken from a vein in your arm for laboratory testing. 

Inform the technician about your needle phobia, as they may be able to use a smaller needle or a different technique to minimize pain. And if you are prone to experiencing lightheadedness when getting your blood drawn, make sure to let your technician know. Asking if they can do the blood draw while you’re laying down rather than sitting up can make a huge difference!

Insider tricks: reducing pain during egg freezing shots 

While egg freezing injections can be uncomfortable, I found the shots to not be as bad as I thought they would be. Plus, they go by very quickly. Here are strategies you can try to make them easier and less painful:

• Numbing cream. Use a numbing cream on the injection site before the shot can help reduce discomfort (get your doctor’s approval before doing this). 
• Buzzy Bee. I learned about the Buzzy Bee on Shark Tank, and it actually worked for me! The combination of vibration and ice pain-blocking methods is actually FDA 510(k) for pain control.
• Phone a friend. Try having someone else administer the shot while you distract yourself. My husband was my shot-giver, and he did a way better job than I could have!
• Warm shower. Take a warm shower before the injection can help relax your muscles, making it easier for the needle to be inserted. 
• Deep breathing. Practice deep breathing or relaxation techniques. Focusing on your breath and practicing mindfulness can help to distract you from the pain and reduce your perception of it.
• A treat. Set aside a treat for the end, as your reward for being brave! For me, it was chocolate and TV. 

If you're still experiencing significant pain, talk to your doctor. They may be able to prescribe pain medication or suggest other strategies to make the injections more manageable. 

Are there different types of needles that are easier to administer or less painful?

There are different types of needles that can be used for injections based on each medication, but the type used for egg freezing is typically a small, thin needle that is relatively painless. If you are concerned about pain from needles, talk to your doctor about any alternative options.

The benefits of facing your fear of needles and freezing your eggs

Freezing your eggs can be an empowering way to take control of your fertility, but it can be daunting if you have a fear of needles. While the process does involve injections, there are strategies you can use to manage your fear and make the experience more comfortable. Educate yourself about the process, practice relaxation techniques, and communicate with your doctor to find the best approach for you. By focusing on the big picture of future fertility and celebrating your courage, you can empower yourself to face your fears and take control of your reproductive health.

Cofertility is in the “family” business, striving to make egg freezing and third-party reproduction more human-centered and accessible for all. Our Freeze by Co program allows you to freeze your eggs for free, when you give half to a family who can't otherwise conceive.

Egg freezing, also known as oocyte cryopreservation, is a process in which a woman's eggs are retrieved, frozen, and stored for future use. It has become an increasingly popular option for those who want to preserve their fertility for later in life, whether due to medical reasons or personal choice. We get a lot of questions from people wondering if egg freezing is an option for them, given their unique circumstances. In this article, we will share the most common questions we get and hopefully settle some debates once and for all. 

Can I freeze my eggs if I have PCOS?

Absolutely. Like others, women with PCOS may want to freeze their eggs to proactively increase their chances of having children down the road. It’s best to freeze when you are younger, in order to get a greater number of eggs and the highest quality eggs possible. 

You’ll want to make sure you work with the best doctors, because women with PCOS are more susceptible to developing ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) during egg freezing. This is because they are likely to have more follicles, and the more follicles an ovary has the more likely it is to be overstimulated by HCG, one of the drugs used during egg freezing. 

Read more

Can I freeze my eggs if I have endometriosis?

Yes. Some doctors will actually recommend egg freezing for women with endometriosis while they're young and the condition is still in the early stages. Because some surgeries for endometriosis can worsen fertility by inadvertently removing healthy ovarian tissue or compromising vascular supply to the ovary, egg freezing should be done before any such surgeries.

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Can I freeze my eggs if I’m a virgin?

Being a virgin does not prevent you from being able to freeze your eggs for future use. The egg freezing process is the same for all patients, and it does not involve any kind of sexual contact. If you are considering egg freezing, reach out to see if we can help. 

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Can I freeze my eggs if I’m on birth control?

It depends on which type! Hormonal birth control methods work by regulating hormones in the body to prevent ovulation, while non-hormonal methods physically prevent sperm from reaching the egg or alter the environment in the uterus to prevent implantation. While it is possible to freeze your eggs while on various types of birth control, it depends on which one. 

• Definitely okay: condoms, diaphragms
• Generally okay: IUD, birth control implant
• Need to stop: the pill, the patch, NuvaRing
• Potential wait of three-six months: Depo-Provera

Of course, do not start or stop your current birth control regimen without talking to your fertility doctor first.  

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Can I freeze my eggs if I have HPV?

An HPV diagnosis alone should not affect your ability to get pregnant or to freeze your eggs. Most fertility specialists will require an up to date pap smear and HPV test as part of their evaluation and you’ll usually be allowed to continue with the freezing process as long as the HPV is low-risk, since those cases are expected to clear on their own.

If you do have a high-risk HPV, you’ll need to discuss those results with both your OB/GYN and your fertility doctor to figure out what next step is right for you. Depending on the specific HPV strain, if there are any lesions and how advanced they are, your doctor will recommend continuing with egg freezing or delaying until after treatment. 

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Can I freeze my eggs if I’ve had gender affirming surgery?

It depends on what was involved in the surgery. If the ovaries were removed (an oophorectomy or total hysterectomy), you will not be able to freeze your eggs. This is because egg freezing requires the ovaries to produce mature eggs, which are then retrieved and frozen for future use. If the ovaries have been removed, then the eggs were removed too and egg freezing is not an option.

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Can I freeze my eggs if I have started hormone therapy?

If you have already started hormone therapy, such as testosterone (T) therapy, it may still be possible to freeze your eggs. However, your doctor will likely recommend discontinuing testosterone until your period returns (usually under six months) to begin the egg freezing process.  

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Can I freeze my eggs if I’m afraid of needles?

Yes, it does involve both injections and blood draws. This is because the process of egg freezing involves stimulating the ovaries with hormones (aka fertility medication) to produce multiple eggs, which are then retrieved with a needle. There are also blood draws to determine your hormone levels, and an IV for sedation during the retrieval itself.  If you are afraid of needles, it's important to acknowledge your fear and work through it. Ignoring or avoiding the issue will only make it worse. 

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Can I freeze my eggs if I vape?

While the effects of vaping on fertility are still largely unknown, many fertility clinics advise their patients to quit vaping in an effort to improve egg freezing outcomes related to quality and quantity based on the above research on smoking. Lower quality eggs with a higher DNA damage rate could impact the success of a future pregnancy using these frozen eggs, as these eggs may be less likely to fertilize into embryos (or result in a successful implantation). In addition, fewer eggs retrieved from those who vaped may result in fewer options for future use, which can increase the likelihood of needing additional egg freezing cycles.

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Can I freeze my eggs if I drink?

Yes, but alcohol consumption is not recommended during the egg freezing process itself. Studies have shown that alcohol consumption can negatively impact fertility and may also increase the risk of certain complications associated with egg freezing. The good news is there are loads of EANABs (equally-appealing, non-alcoholic beverages) these days. Try a soda water with lime and no one will bother you!

Can I freeze my eggs if I’m a smoker?

Smoking is not recommended during the egg freezing process (or ever!). Studies have shown that smoking can negatively impact fertility and may also increase the risk of certain complications associated with egg freezing. Smoking can decrease the number and quality of eggs retrieved, and increases the risk of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS), a potentially serious complication of the egg freezing process.

Can I freeze my eggs if I'm over a certain age?

American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) does not recommend egg freezing for people older than 38, but this isn’t a strict cutoff. Everyone’s ovarian reserves declines at a different rate. Having your fertility hormones checked can sometimes help you and your doctor get a general idea of what your ovarian reserve is. This can better help you decide if egg freezing is right for you.

Can I freeze my eggs if I'm not ready to have children yet?

Absolutely! Egg freezing is often chosen by those who are not yet ready to start a family, but want to keep options open for the future. It’s important to understand that the younger you are when you freeze your eggs, the higher the chances of success. 

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Can I freeze my eggs if I have already had children?

Absolutely. In fact, some people choose to freeze their eggs after having children, including those who went through divorce, as a way to preserve their fertility for future pregnancies.

Can I freeze my eggs if I have had my tubes tied?

If you have had a tubal ligation (commonly known as "getting your tubes tied"), you can still be a candidate for egg freezing as the process does not require the fallopian tubes to be open. 

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Can I freeze my eggs if I’m on antidepressants?

For sure. The most commonly used antidepressant (SSRIs) and anti-anxiety medications (benzodiazepines) don’t have any clear, long-term impacts on egg quantity or quality, ovulation, or chances of conception (though SSRIs do have short-term effects on sperm). 

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Can I freeze my eggs if I have diabetes?

While egg freezing can be a game-changer, it's not without risks. Women with diabetes may have an increased risk of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS). However, with proper medical supervision and careful management of blood sugar levels, most women with diabetes successfully undergo egg freezing.

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Let us help you freeze those eggs!

Cofertility is a human-first, tech-enabled fertility ecosystem that provides people agency over if, how, and when they have babies — today or someday. We have two programs for egg freezers:

1. Our Split program, which offers women a chance to both freeze their own eggs and donate half the eggs to a family who cannot conceive otherwise. If you qualify for the program and decide to donate half of your retrieved eggs, every expense associated with the egg freezing procedure —  medications, supplements, travel if necessary, insurance, and 10 years of storage — is completely free of charge. We don’t even need a payment or credit card up front, as the family you match with covers all the expenses.
2. Our self-pay Keep program allows women to freeze their eggs and keep them all for their future use. Through Keep, we offer our members partnerships and discounts to lighten the financial load of egg freezing, as well as access to our member community.

The benefits for of working with Cofertility include:

• Power of choice: Freeze your eggs more affordably or, if you qualify, freeze for free when you give half to a family who can’t otherwise conceive.
• Community: Our inclusive online spaces allow you to connect with others going through the process in our private online community.
• Compassion: We’ll always treat you with care, and our Split program gives you the opportunity to make someone’s family building dreams a reality.
• Data-driven: We provide you with trustworthy guidance and evidence-based research so you can make informed decisions about your fertility.
• Free egg freezing: Freeze and store your eggs for 10 years, entirely for free if you qualify for our Split program.

Ready to learn about more affordable (even free!) egg freezing with Cofertility? Fill out this quick quiz to learn about our accessible egg freezing options and see if you qualify for our programs — it only takes one minute.

Understanding reproductive health is crucial, especially when it comes to fertility. Anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) is one of the key markers used to assess ovarian reserve, which refers to the quantity of eggs. Many factors can impact AMH levels, including age, genetics, and certain medical conditions.

One common question that arises is whether birth control, a widely used contraceptive method, can affect AMH levels. In this article, we will explore the relationship between birth control and AMH levels to shed light on this topic and provide valuable insights for those concerned about their fertility.

What is AMH?

Before delving into the impact of birth control on AMH levels, let's first understand what AMH is and its significance in assessing ovarian reserve. AMH is a protein produced by the small follicles in the ovaries. These follicles contain immature eggs, and the level of AMH in the blood provides an estimate of the remaining egg supply. Ovarian reserve tests can help you make decisions about egg freezing. In general, higher AMH levels indicate a larger number of follicles and potentially better ovarian reserve, while lower levels may suggest a diminished egg supply.

Can birth control affect your AMH levels?

One common concern among women is whether taking birth control can influence AMH levels. Birth control methods, such as oral contraceptive pills (aka “the pill”), patches, injections, and intrauterine devices (IUDs), work by regulating hormones and preventing ovulation. So it is reasonable to question whether these hormonal interventions can impact AMH levels.

Research suggests that hormonal birth control may affect AMH levels. But it depends on the type of birth control.

One study looked at data from women on various types of birth control and found: 

• Combined oral contraceptive pill led to 23.7% lower AMH
• Progestin-only pill led to 14.8% lower AMH
• Vaginal ring led to 22.1% lower AMH
• IUD led to 6.7% lower AMH
• Implant led to 23.4% lower AMH
• Copper intrauterine device led to 1.6% lower AMH

The authors concluded that birth control use is associated with a lower mean AMH level than for women who are not on contraceptives, with variation depending on the type of birth control

Learn more: Egg Freezing and Birth Control: An Overview

The amount of time you are on birth control may also be a factor. A systematic review of 15 studies concluded that AMH is unchanged in women using combined oral contraceptive pills if they were using it under six months. 

However, they found a lower AMH in long-term users of the pill. But it’s just temporary – AMH levels rebounded after they stopped using birth control.

Is AMH accurate if on birth control pills?

One study compared the AMH levels of 228 hormonal contraception users and 504 non-users. They found that users of birth control had 29.8% lower AMH concentrations. Because of this, the authors concluded that AMH may not be an accurate predictor for women using hormonal contraception.

You may want to consider the timing of the AMH test when using hormonal contraceptives. Estrogen can suppress the production of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH), which are necessary for the development and maturation of follicles. 

As AMH levels are influenced by FSH and LH, you could wait for a few weeks after discontinuing birth control before measuring AMH levels for a more accurate assessment of ovarian reserve. Or, you could take the test knowing the results may be lower due to birth control. It’s best to discuss this with your doctor.  

Do I need to get off birth control to get AMH tested?

In general, it is not necessary to discontinue birth control before getting an AMH test. However, it's important to be aware that hormonal contraceptives, such as oral contraceptive pills, can potentially lower AMH levels temporarily while being used. This means that if you are currently using birth control, the AMH results may be lower than they would be if you were not on contraceptives.

If you are concerned about the accuracy of your AMH test or have specific fertility-related questions, it’s best to consult with a fertility doctor. They can provide personalized guidance based on your individual circumstances and help you understand how birth control may impact your AMH results. They will take into consideration factors such as the type of birth control you are using, your reproductive goals, and any underlying medical conditions. This will help ensure that you receive the most accurate and relevant information regarding AMH testing and its interpretation.

Will my AMH change if I get off birth control?

AMH can and will change throughout your life. And, it is generally believed that AMH levels should return to their baseline after stopping hormonal contraceptives. 

Birth control methods, such as oral contraceptive pills, work by suppressing ovulation and altering hormone levels. Once you discontinue birth control, your body will naturally resume its normal hormonal patterns, and AMH levels should stabilize accordingly.

Individual responses to stopping birth control may vary. Some may experience a temporary fluctuation in their hormone levels as their body adjusts, which could potentially affect AMH measurements. However, these fluctuations are typically short-lived, and AMH levels should gradually return to their baseline within a few menstrual cycles.

If you are planning to assess your ovarian reserve through an AMH test, you may want to wait for a few weeks or consult with your fertility doctor to determine the most appropriate timing after discontinuing birth control. This will help ensure a more accurate assessment of your current ovarian reserve without the influence of hormonal contraceptives.

Remember, AMH levels provide valuable insights into ovarian reserve but are just one piece of the puzzle when it comes to fertility. 

Does birth control help egg reserve?

Although birth control does not directly affect AMH levels or egg reserve, it can provide some indirect benefits related to reproductive health. By preventing ovulation and regulating menstrual cycles, birth control can help manage various gynecological conditions such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), endometriosis, and irregular periods. By providing symptom relief and controlling hormone levels, birth control can potentially improve overall reproductive health (thanks birth control!).

Additionally, certain forms of birth control, such as combined oral contraceptive pills, may help reduce the risk of ovarian cysts and decrease the incidence of ovarian and endometrial cancers. These benefits contribute to the overall well-being of your reproductive system, indirectly supporting egg reserve.

AMH and egg sharing

If you are looking to donate your eggs through Cofertility’s Split program, where you freeze for free in exchange for donating half to a family that could not otherwise conceive, we require a minimum AMH of 2.0 (though clinics may have their own unique requirements). This is to increase the chances of retrieving enough eggs to actually split, to ensure positive outcomes for both parties involved.

You are not a number

With all the nuances involved here, it’s important not to get lost in the weeds. Fertility is impacted by so many factors that you can drive yourself crazy trying to manage all of them. 

Remember, you are more than any number. This process can be overwhelming, but focusing on the things that you can control can help you feel more grounded during your fertility journey, whatever it may look like. 

Cofertility is here to help you every step of the way on that journey. 

Our Split program offers women a chance to freeze their eggs for free when donating half the eggs retrieved to a family who cannot conceive otherwise. If you qualify for the program and decide to donate half of your retrieved eggs, every expense associated with the egg freezing procedure —  medications, supplements, travel if necessary, insurance, and 10 years of storage — are completely free of charge. We don’t even need a payment or credit card up front, as the family you match with covers all the expenses.

Or, in our Keep program, you can freeze and store your eggs for your own future use, with lower prices on things like storage and medication – as well as our team’s support and access to our community.

The benefits for of working with Cofertility include:

• Power of choice: Freeze your eggs more affordably or, if you qualify, freeze for free when you give half to a family who can’t otherwise conceive.
• Community: Our inclusive online spaces allow you to connect with others going through the process in our private online community.
• Compassion: We’ll always treat you with care, and our Split program gives you the opportunity to make someone’s family building dreams a reality.
• Data-driven: We provide you with trustworthy guidance and evidence-based research so you can make informed decisions about your fertility.
• Free egg freezing: Freeze and store your eggs for 10 years, entirely for free if you qualify for our Split program.

Ready to learn about more affordable (even free!) egg freezing with Cofertility? Fill out this quick quiz to learn about our accessible egg freezing options and see if you qualify for our programs — it only takes one minute.

Whatever your journey looks like, our team is here to guide you through it and keep your family-building options open.

Summing it up

Understanding reproductive health is crucial, especially when it comes to fertility. AMH is a key marker used to assess ovarian reserve, which refers to the quantity eggs. While birth control does not directly impact AMH levels or egg reserve, it can have temporary effects on AMH measurements while being used. The type and duration of birth control can influence the degree of impact on AMH levels. 

If you are currently using birth control, it is not necessary to discontinue it before getting an AMH test. However, it's important to be aware that hormonal contraceptives can potentially lower AMH levels temporarily. This means that the AMH results may be lower than they would be if you were not on contraceptives. Consulting with a fertility doctor can provide you with specific guidance on timing and interpretation of AMH results.

If you decide to discontinue birth control, AMH levels should return to their baseline over time as your body adjusts to its natural hormonal patterns. Temporary fluctuations in hormone levels may occur, but these are typically short-lived, and AMH levels should stabilize within a few menstrual cycles. (And if you do discontinue birth control, definitely use backup contraception during that period if you’re trying to avoid pregnancy). 

Remember, AMH levels provide valuable insights into ovarian reserve, but they are just one piece of the puzzle when it comes to fertility. Consulting with a fertility doctor can help you understand the broader context of your reproductive health and provide guidance on any concerns or questions you may have.

Read more:

• What AMH Level Do I Need to Freeze My Eggs?
• Which Matters More for Fertility: AMH or Age?
• I’m Going Off Birth Control. Now What?

At Cofertility, we believe that freezing your eggs should be an empowering experience that more women have access to. With our Keep program, you can more affordably freeze your eggs with partnerships that lighten the financial load and ongoing support from our team.  As a Keep member, you’ll benefit from discounts on things like consultations, treatment and cycle fees, and storage costs. You’ll also access our private Freeze by Co community, where you can connect with our team and with other women going through the egg freezing process at the same time.

Freezing your eggs is a big life decision — much like moving cross country, going back to school, or getting married. The process is often filled with unknowns, difficult to navigate, and financially inaccessible. Our goal is to support you every step of the way, and make it the best experience possible.

Why should I freeze my eggs, anyway? 

Whether you’re thinking about going back to school, wanting to invest in your career, unsure whether you want to have kids yet, or just haven’t found your ‘person,’ there are many different reasons why freezing your eggs might make sense for you. Over 70% of our members cite building their career or going back to school as the most important factors to them right now. Egg freezing is a way to keep your reproductive options open for later by preserving younger, healthier eggs for future use. What’s more, the prime time for freezing your eggs is actually a lot earlier than you think. Freezing your eggs while you’re still in your 20s can boost your chances of successful pregnancy, no matter your age when you decide to start your family. 

Overall, deciding to freeze your eggs can do more than provide family building options later in life. Going through the process of retrieving and freezing your eggs can give you insights into your health and offer you peace of mind about how you’ll accomplish your goals.

To learn more, check out our articles: Why Do People Freeze Their Eggs? Should I Be Thinking About It Too?, What’s the Best Age to Freeze My Eggs?, and When Should I Freeze My Eggs? 

How do I know if I am eligible for the Keep program? 

Unlike our Split program, where you freeze your eggs for free when donating half to a family that can’t otherwise conceive, the Keep program’s eligibility requirements are much less stringent. In fact, the decision to freeze your eggs through Keep will ultimately be between you and your doctor, once you both review your medical history and test results.

For example, while you must be between 21-33 to participate in Split, you can still take part in the Keep program as long as you are under age 40 (these are the clinics’ rules, not ours).

So whether you don’t qualify for egg donation, or simply are not interested in egg donation, the Keep program could be a great option for you. 

What are the benefits of the Keep program? 

By freezing your eggs through Cofertility’s Keep program, you’ll gain access to:

• Preferred and vetted fertility clinic recommendations in many major markets, with discounted or free consultations 
• Skip the line — many fertility clinics have months-long waitlists for egg freezers. If you work with one of our partner clinics, we’ll help get you through faster
• Special discounts on long-term egg freezing storage
• Dedicated, 1:1 support from our Member Advocates to help you through every step of your egg freezing journey
• Access to our members-only community of women in all stages of their egg freezing journey and direct, free access to fertility experts 
• Financial support and resources through our financing partner, Sunfish (waived application and membership fees for all Cofertility members)

What does the Keep process look like? 

Step 1: Fill out the intro quiz 

To kick off the process, take our quiz and tell us a bit about yourself. This only takes about a minute and gives a sense of what programs you might qualify for.

Step 2: Provide your desired location and timeline for the egg freezing process 

After you complete the intro quiz, you’ll receive an email from us with more information on our programs. We’ll ask you to respond back with more details on where (in which city or cities) and when you would like to freeze your eggs. This allows us to make custom recommendations tailored to your needs! 

Step 3: Receive fertility clinic recommendation and pricing 

We aim to share at least one pre-vetted, recommended fertility clinic near you based on patient reviews, outcomes, and success rates. We know this process can be expensive (between $10,000 to $20,000 per cycle), so we do our best to get you the best pricing. With many clinics, we negotiate preferred pricing for our Keep members, including discounted cycle fees and/or initial consultations. 

If we don’t yet have a clinic recommendation near you, we’ll add you to our waitlist for that city and reach out as soon as we do. Keep members are welcome to work with any clinic of their choosing and still be part of the program, but we aim to have at least one recommendation in each major market. 

Step 4: Set up an initial consultation with a fertility clinic 

Once you decide which clinic you would like to work with, we’ll help get you set up for an initial consultation with a reproductive endocrinologist. Most preferred clinics have guaranteed turnaround times for our members - so no more long waitlists! 

Step 5: Get added to the private Freeze by Co members-only community 

Once you book your initial consultation and confirm that you would like to be part of our Keep program, we’ll add you to the members-only, Freeze by Co community. This is where you can connect with others going through egg freezing at the exact same time and receive direct access to egg freezing experts through Q&As and webinars. 

Step 6: Get support with every step of your egg freezing journey 

We will stay coordinated with your fertility clinic and help guide you through every step of the egg freezing process. We’re here for you in a ‘been there, done that’ kind of way, and we will work with our medical advisors to get you answers to any questions you have! 

We also have several informative articles on our website that can serve as a primer for what to expect with the egg freezing process: 

• I Want to Freeze My Eggs: What's the Egg Retrieval Process Really Like? 
• What are the First Steps Towards Freezing my Eggs? 
• Everything You Need to Know About Egg Freezing 
• The Egg Freezing Process: a First-Timer’s Overview 
• A Step-by-Step Guide to Freezing Your Eggs 

How much does it cost to be a Keep member? 

There is no fee to join the Keep program. The only costs you’ll pay are those directly related to your cycle (e.g., consultation fees, cycle fees, storage fees, and medications). There are a variety of different ways to fund your egg freezing journey, and we are flexible to work with you however it makes sense based on your needs. 

Have coverage through your employer or insurance for egg freezing? You can still use these benefits and join our Keep program! Your general health insurance may cover some of your screening and upfront blood work, so we suggest discussing it with the clinic you move forward with if you go through our Keep program.

Need help financing your cycle? We got you! We've partnered with lenders to offer you fertility financial resources. Sunfish offers the most comprehensive marketplace of financial options for egg freezing up to $100,000 at industry-low rates. Some clinics may also offer financing programs for egg freezing cycles. 

To learn more, check out our article: How to Pay for Egg Freezing 

Where do I sign up? 

There is no cost to join the Keep program. Take our quiz today and get your egg freezing process started!

In recent years, advancements in reproductive medicine have provided more options for LGBTQ+ individuals and couples who desire to have children. Egg freezing has become an increasingly popular opportunity to help people preserve their fertility and plan for future family-building. 

In this article, we’ll provide a comprehensive overview of egg freezing, discussing its benefits, fertility options, and the process of in vitro fertilization (IVF) specifically for lesbian couples.

Egg freezing

Egg freezing, also known as oocyte cryopreservation, is the process of extracting and freezing eggs for later use. It offers several advantages, including:

• Increasing chances of a healthy pregnancy and baby down the line. By freezing your eggs at a younger age when egg quantity and quality is higher, lesbian women can preserve their chances of conceiving in the future, even if you are not ready to start a family at present.
• Relationship timing. Egg freezing allows you to better synchronize your desire for children with relationship, career, or personal goals in the meantime. 
• Transitioning. The World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH) and Endocrine Society both recommend that all transgender patients be counseled on options for fertility preservation (egg freezing) prior to transition. The American Society of Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) also put out a statement that providers should offer fertility preservation counseling to individuals before gender transition.

Ultimately, egg freezing gives you more options down the line, especially if you plan to do reciprocal IVF (more on that below).

How much does it cost to freeze your eggs?

This is always a difficult question to answer, because it depends! It depends on the clinic you’re going to, where you are located, the medications you are prescribed (it differs based on your age and body), and where/how long you store the eggs. Average egg freezing cycle costs range from $10,000 - $20,000 for consultations, testing, ultrasounds, medications, and the egg retrieval, plus the ongoing cost of annual storage. 

But, there are ways to make egg freezing more affordable. Here are a few options to consider when paying for egg freezing:

• Insurance coverage: A minority of insurance plans may cover a portion of the cost of egg freezing and/or medications. It's always best to check with your insurance provider to see if they cover the procedure, and if so, what the specific coverage details are.
• Employer-provided benefits: Some employers offer coverage for egg freezing as a benefit to their employees. Check with your handbook or HR department to see if this is an option for you.
• Financing options: At Cofertility, we partnered with lenders to offer you fertility financial resources and support  
• Donate half your retrieved eggs: Our Freeze by Co Split program allows you to freeze and store your eggs for free for 10 years, when you give half to a family who can't otherwise conceive.

To see if you're eligible for our Split program, take our quiz to tell us more about yourself.

Why do people freeze their eggs?

So we’ve covered the “what”, now it’s time for the “why”. Like I mentioned earlier, egg freezing is a way to keep your reproductive options open for later by preserving younger, healthier eggs for future use. Our team spends hours each week chatting one-on-one with our members and almost everyone says the same things:

• “I’m going back to school and focusing on my career right now.”
• “I want to travel more first.”
• “I haven’t found my ‘person’ yet, and don’t want to feel rushed to settle down just based on my biology.”
• “I’m not even sure if I want to have kids or not, so I want to keep my options open.”

Seeing a pattern here? Nearly everyone who works with us knows that even if right now is the best time biologically to have children, it’s just not something they’re ready for yet. While you’ll never find us referring to freezing your eggs as an “insurance policy,” it does allow optionality for owning your future fertility by being proactive and giving yourself choices later in life.

Fertility options for lesbian couples

Whether you are single or coupled, or if you want kids or down the line, it’s important to know what fertility care options are available to cis-gendered lesbian couples when it’s time to have kids:

• Donor sperm insemination: This method involves inseminating one partner with donor sperm, either at home or via intrauterine insemination (IUI) at a fertility clinic. The chances of IUI working is 5-15% per cycle.
• In vitro fertilization (IVF): IVF is a popular option for lesbian couples. One partner's eggs are retrieved and fertilized with donor sperm in a laboratory setting. The resulting embryos are then transferred into the other partner's uterus for pregnancy in what is called Reciprocal IVF. The chances of IVF working is 30-50% per cycle. 

If you choose to go the IVF route, the chances of success depend greatly on the quality of the eggs. As females age, their egg quality and quantity decreases, which can lead to lower rates of successful fertilization, implantation, and live births. 

In fact, your age when the eggs are retrieved is far more correlated to IVF success than the age you are when carrying the pregnancy.

What is reciprocal IVF?

Reciprocal IVF, sometimes known as shared motherhood, is a form of IVF specifically designed for lesbian couples (and for some couples where at least one partner is transgender or nonbinary). 

Here's how it works: one partner undergoes ovarian stimulation and egg retrieval. The resulting eggs are then fertilized with sperm and transferred to the other partner's uterus for pregnancy. 

Since one partner's egg is used and the other partner carries the pregnancy, each partner gets to play a role. This could help both partners feel super involved in the pregnancy and connected to the baby.

How is IVF done for lesbian couples?

IVF for lesbian couples (aka reciprocal IVF) involves several steps:

1. Ovarian stimulation. The partner who will provide the eggs undergoes ovarian stimulation, which involves the administration of fertility medications to stimulate the development of multiple eggs.
2. Egg retrieval. Once the eggs are mature, they are retrieved from the ovaries using a minimally invasive procedure called transvaginal ultrasound-guided follicle aspiration. The eggs are then either frozen for future use, or fertilized to make embryos.
3. Fertilization. The eggs are then fertilized with donor sperm in a laboratory setting. This can be done using standard IVF or intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), depending on the specific circumstances.
4. Genetic testing. Many couples opt to have the embryos genetically tested. This can help rule out embryos that are chromosomally abnormal. Preimplantation genetic screening (PGT) can also tell you the sex of the embryo. 
5. Embryo transfer: Finally, one or more embryos are transferred into the uterus of the other partner, with the goal of achieving pregnancy.

Egg freezing is simply doing the first two (or even three and four) steps in advance, and waiting to transfer any embryos until you are ready. By retrieving eggs at a younger age, you increase the chances of IVF success.

Freeze your eggs with Cofertility

We’d love the opportunity to support you on your egg freezing journey.

Through our Split program, qualified freezers can freeze their eggs for free when donating half of the eggs retrieved to a family who can’t otherwise conceive.

Through our Keep program — where you keep 100% of eggs retrieved for your own future use — we offer exclusive discounts on expenses, such as frozen egg storage. Keep members also still gain free access to our Freeze by Co Community, a safe space for those engaging in the egg freezing process (or gearing up for it) to connect and lean on each other.

By making egg freezing easier and more accessible, our programs further strengthen the American Society of Reproductive Medicine (ASRM)’s Committee Opinion that egg freezing can help promote social justice and strengthen gender equality.

The bottom line

Egg freezing can provide cis-gendered lesbian women with the opportunity to preserve their fertility and plan for future family-building. With advancements in reproductive medicine, various fertility options, including IVF and reciprocal IVF, are available to lesbian couples. By knowing your options, you can make an informed decision about your reproductive journey and take steps to fulfill your dreams of having a family… some day!

Commonly asked questions

Should I freeze my eggs if I'm not sure I want children yet?

If you are not sure about wanting children in the near future, but still want to preserve the option, freezing your eggs can be a good idea. Egg freezing allows you to preserve your eggs at a younger age when the quality and quantity are typically better. By freezing your eggs, you give yourself the flexibility to delay parenthood while increasing the likelihood of having biological children later in life. 

How much does it cost to freeze your eggs?

This is always a difficult question to answer, because it depends! It depends on the clinic you’re going to, where you are located, the medications you are prescribed (it differs based on your age and body), and where/how long you store the eggs. Average egg freezing cycle costs range from $10,000 - $20,000 for consultations, testing, ultrasounds, medications, and the egg retrieval, plus the ongoing cost of annual storage. 

Can two women's eggs make a baby?

While today two human eggs cannot directly create a baby, two cis-gendered women can both contribute to the process of family-building process. One woman's eggs can be fertilized using donor sperm, and the resulting embryos can be transferred into the uterus of the other woman, who carries the pregnancy. 

Can a woman carry another woman's egg?

Absolutely! In IVF, fertilization of eggs is separated from implantation. That means you can retrieve and fertilize eggs from one person, then turn them into embryos and have them transferred to the uterus of someone else. When someone can’t carry a pregnancy for medical reasons, this process is called gestational surrogacy. When one partner is carrying an embryo made with their partner’s sperm, it’s called reciprocal IVF.

How can a same sex female couple have a baby?

A same-sex female couple can have a baby through assisted reproductive techniques such as donor sperm insemination, in vitro fertilization (IVF), or reciprocal IVF. These options allow for one or both partners to have a biological connection to the child.

Can two females have a baby without sperm?

No. Sperm is necessary for fertilizing an egg and initiating the process of conception. However, same-sex female couples can explore options such as donor sperm insemination, IVF, or reciprocal IVF to achieve pregnancy and have a child together.

Can a lesbian couple have a baby without IVF?

Yes, a lesbian couple can have a baby without IVF. They can choose donor sperm insemination, where one partner undergoes artificial insemination using donor sperm, or explore options such as fostering or adoption to build their family.