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California has more fertility clinics than any other state, with many of them located in the greater Los Angeles area. In fact, there are over 30 clinics to choose from in LA. While having multiple options is beneficial, it can also make choosing the right clinic feel overwhelming. This guide will help you understand what to expect when freezing your eggs in Los Angeles, from costs and clinic selection to practical logistics.

In this article, we'll cover the top Los Angeles fertility clinics for egg freezing, typical costs in the metro area, where to get your fertility meds, insurance considerations specific to California, and practical tips for managing treatment in the city. 

Cost of egg freezing in Los Angeles

In Los Angeles, the total cost of egg freezing typically ranges from $10,000 to $15,000 per cycle, not including medications which can add another $3,000 to $6,000. This base cost usually covers:

• Initial consultation and fertility testing
• Monitoring appointments (bloodwork and ultrasounds)
• Egg retrieval procedure
• Anesthesia
• Vitrification

‍Additional expenses to consider:

• Annual storage fees
• Pre-testing bloodwork
• Future egg thawing, fertilization, and embryo transfer

Some LA clinics offer financing options, including payment plans and loans through third-party providers. Some also provide package deals for multiple cycles, which can reduce the per-cycle cost for patients who may need or want to freeze eggs more than once.

Keep in mind that LA-based clinics typically charge premium rates compared to other cities. Not only are salaries higher for staffing in LA, but real estate is also more expensive.

‍Learn more about egg sharing, which makes egg freezing entirely free when you donate a portion of the eggs to a family that could not otherwise conceive. 

Is egg freezing covered in California?

Under new state law, Senate Bill 729 (SB 729), effective July 1st, 2025, some fertility treatments must be covered by insurance. Here’s what to know about the law:

• It covers approximately 9 million Californians enrolled in large-group, fully insured health plans. 
• It does not apply to people who get their health coverage from religious employers, self-funded employers, or people enrolled in Medi-Cal.
• It covers fertility treatment, including up to three egg retrievals, for people with “infertility”.
• SB 729 defines infertility to be inclusive of the LGBTQ+ community and unpartnered individuals.

To understand your specific coverage, check with your insurance provider or employer's benefits department.

If you're freezing your eggs for non-medical reasons (often called "elective" egg freezing), you'll likely need to pay out of pocket unless your employer specifically offers it as a benefit. Some large employers in Los Angeles, particularly in tech and finance, include subsidized egg freezing coverage in their benefits packages.

Best egg freezing clinics in Los Angeles

There are dozens of great fertility clinics in LA and the surrounding areas. We recommend narrowing it down to a few clinics near you and then deciding based on the factors that matter the most. We all have different priorities and preferences – some people want a smaller, more boutique-style clinic, others insist on a female doctor, and others just want the shortest commute. 

Read more in What to Look For in an Egg Freezing Clinic

Here are the LA-based clinics we often work with:

Los Angeles Reproductive Center (Encino)
‍16055 Ventura Blvd # 1127
Encino, CA 91436

‍Reproductive Partners Medical Group (Beverly Hills + South Bay + Orange County)
‍8383 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 700
Beverly Hills, CA 90211

510 N. Prospect Ave, Suite 202
Redondo Beach, CA 90277

13950 Milton Ave, Suite 100
Westminster, CA 92683

Pacific Fertility Center Los Angeles (Westwood + Glendale)
‍10880 Wilshire Blvd
Ste 300 Los Angeles, CA 90024

1818 Verdugo Blvd
Ste 402 Glendale, CA 91208

RMA - Southern California (West Los Angeles + Burbank)
‍11500 W Olympic Blvd., Suite 150
Los Angeles, California 90064

2601 W. Alameda Avenue, Suite 404
Burbank, California 91505

Beverly Hills Fertility (Century City)

10390 Santa Monica Blvd, Suite 340
Los Angeles, CA 90025

Kindbody (Santa Monica)

500 Broadway, Suite 7
Santa Monica, CA 90401

If you work with Cofertility to freeze your eggs, we can help you find the right clinic.

Where to get egg freezing medications in Los Angeles

During your egg freezing cycle, you'll need several specialty medications for ovarian stimulation. These are not medications you can get at your typical CVS or Walgreens drugstore but instead come from a specialty or mail-order pharmacy. 

Los Angeles offers multiple options for obtaining these prescriptions in-person, including:

VFP Pharmacy (Westside Village)
10840 National Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90064
(855) 306-4888

‍MDRx (Westwood)
10921 Wilshire Blvd,.
Los Angeles, CA 90024
(310) 208-6666

MDRx (Encino)
17071 Ventura Blvd, #100
Encino, CA 91316
(800) 515-3784

RoxSan (Beverly Hills)
465 North Roxbury Drive
Beverly Hills, CA 90210
(310) 273-4611

Northridge Plaza Pharmacy (Northridge)
18546 Roscoe Blvd, Suite 102
Northridge, CA 91324
(818) 998-8700

Alto Pharmacy (Baldwin Hills/Crenshaw)
5916 Bowcroft Street
Los Angeles, CA 90016

Specialty fertility pharmacies offer several important advantages. Their staff is specifically trained in fertility medications and can provide detailed injection training to help you feel confident administering your medications. These pharmacies often secure better pricing through their high-volume purchasing, and they deeply understand the time-sensitive nature of fertility treatments. Many offer convenient pick-up options or same-day delivery throughout NYC to ensure you get your medications when you need them.

However, some patients prefer national mail-order pharmacies that deliver directly to your home or office. Popular options include Schrafts, Freedom Fertility, SMP Pharmacy, and Alto Pharmacy. These companies typically require 24-48 hours for delivery to NYC addresses but may have same-day availability.

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:

1. 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.
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 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.

New York City is a hub for fertility treatment, with some of the nation's leading egg freezing programs and most experienced fertility specialists. While having multiple options is beneficial, it can also make choosing the right clinic feel overwhelming. This guide will help you understand what to expect when freezing your eggs in NYC, from costs and clinic selection to practical logistics.

In this article, we'll cover the top NYC fertility clinics for egg freezing, typical costs in the metro area, insurance considerations specific to New York state, where to get your meds, and practical tips for managing treatment in the city. 

Cost of egg freezing in NYC

In New York City, the total cost of egg freezing typically ranges from $10,000 to $15,000 per cycle, not including medications which can add another $3,000 to $6,000. This base cost usually covers:

• Initial consultation and fertility testing
• Monitoring appointments (bloodwork and ultrasounds)
• Egg retrieval procedure
• Anesthesia
• Vitrification

Additional expenses to consider:

• Annual storage fees
• Pre-testing bloodwork
• Future egg thawing, fertilization, and embryo transfer

Some NYC clinics offer financing options, including payment plans and loans through third-party providers. Some also provide package deals for multiple cycles, which can reduce the per-cycle cost for patients who may need or want to freeze eggs more than once.

Keep in mind that Manhattan-based clinics typically charge premium rates compared to other cities. Not only are salaries higher for staffing in NYC, but real estate is also more expensive.Learn more about egg sharing, which makes egg freezing entirely free when you donate a portion of the eggs to a family that could not otherwise conceive. Is egg freezing covered in New York state?Under New York state law, egg freezing must be covered by insurance when a medical treatment may directly or indirectly cause infertility. This includes treatments like chemotherapy, radiation, surgery, or other medical treatments that could affect reproductive organs. The law also applies to people undergoing gender-affirming care that might impact fertility.If you qualify for egg freezing coverage under this law, insurance companies:

• Cannot impose age restrictions
• Cannot set annual dollar limits
• Must cover standard services including collecting, freezing, preserving, and storing eggs
• Can require preauthorization and medical necessity review
• Can apply standard copays and deductibles

Note: These insurance requirements don't apply to self-funded Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) plans which are common with large employers, although some of these plans may choose to offer fertility coverage. To understand your specific coverage, check with your insurance provider or employer's benefits department.

However, if you're freezing your eggs for non-medical reasons (often called "elective" egg freezing), you'll likely need to pay out of pocket unless your employer specifically offers it as a benefit. Some large employers in New York City, particularly in tech and finance, include subsidized egg freezing coverage in their benefits packages.

New York now requires employers to give paid time off for fertility treatments

Starting January 1, 2025, private sector employees in New York State are entitled to 20 hours of paid leave annually for fertility treatments. This leave is separate from existing sick leave or other paid time off.

Key points about using New York’s Paid Prenatal Leave for egg freezing:

• It covers fertility treatment and care
• Must be paid at your regular rate of pay
• Can be taken in hourly increments
• No medical documentation required
• Available immediately upon hiring
• Cannot be denied when requested
• Protected from retaliation

The 20-hour allowance runs for 52 weeks from your first use, not the calendar year. Unused hours don't carry over. The 20-hour allowance should cover most or all appointments in a typical egg freezing cycle, including consultations, monitoring visits, and retrieval day.

Best egg freezing clinics in NYC

There are dozens of great fertility clinics in NYC and the surrounding areas. We recommend narrowing it down to a few clinics near you and then deciding based on the factors that matter the most. We all have different priorities and preferences – some people want a smaller, more boutique-style clinic, others insist on a female doctor, and others just want the shortest commute. 

‍Read more in What to Look For in an Egg Freezing Clinic

‍Here are the NYC-based clinics we often work with:

‍Sama Fertility (Midtown)
‍115 E 57th St.
New York, NY 10022

Extend Fertility (Midtown)
‍200 W 57th St #1101
New York, NY 10019

Global Fertility & Genetics (Midtown)
‍115 E 57th St suite 420 & 430
New York, NY 10022

Kindbody (Bryant Park)
‍16 E 40th Street, 2nd Floor
New York, NY 10016

Kindbody (Flatiron)
‍102 5th Avenue
New York, NY 10011

Spring Fertility (Bryant Park)
‍114 W 41st St 2nd Floor
New York, NY 10036

Neway Fertility (Upper West Side)
123 W 79th St.
‍New York, NY 10024

If you work with Cofertility to freeze your eggs, we can help you get the best deal and find the right clinic.

Where to get egg freezing medications in NYC

During your egg freezing cycle, you'll need several specialty medications for ovarian stimulation. These are not medications you can get at your typical CVS or Walgreens drugstore but instead come from a specialty or mail-order pharmacy. 

Your fertility clinic may recommend specific fertility pharmacies, though important to note that New York City and the surrounding area offers multiple options for obtaining these prescriptions in-person, including:

‍Metro Drugs
‍243 East 60th Street
New York, NY 10022
(212) 794-7200

‍Apthorp Pharmacy
‍2191 Broadway
New York, NY 10024
(212) 877-3480

‍Prima Pharmacy
‍8 East 41st Street
New York, NY 10017
(718) 230-3535

‍Mandell’s Clinical Pharmacy
‍7 Cedar Grove Ln #20
Somerset, NJ 08873
(877) 252-0553

‍Dobbs Ferry Pharmacy
‍18 Cedar Street
Dobbs Ferry, NY 10522
(800) 941-8380

Specialty fertility pharmacies offer several important advantages. Their staff is specifically trained in fertility medications and can provide detailed injection training to help you feel confident administering your medications. These pharmacies often secure better pricing through their high-volume purchasing, and they deeply understand the time-sensitive nature of fertility treatments. Many offer convenient pick-up options or same-day delivery throughout NYC to ensure you get your medications when you need them.

However, some patients prefer national mail-order pharmacies that deliver directly to your home or office. Popular options include Schrafts, Freedom Fertility, SMP Pharmacy, and Alto Pharmacy. These companies typically require 24-48 hours for delivery to NYC addresses but may have same-day availability.

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:

1. 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.
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 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.

When we founded Cofertility, we set out to solve a problem: egg freezing was too expensive, too isolating, and too complex for many of us to access. We believed there had to be a better way. By reimagining the entire experience—from cost to care to community—we've created programs that work for more women.

This year, Goop recognized Cofertility as one of the best egg-freezing services, highlighting our commitment to making fertility preservation more accessible while maintaining the highest medical standards. This recognition means a lot to us, but what matters most is what it represents: a new way forward for women considering egg freezing.

We've built something different. Through our Keep and Split programs, we're proving that excellent fertility care can be both accessible and affordable. Here's a closer look at what sets Cofertility apart and why we're considered the top choice for women considering egg freezing in 2024.

Two groundbreaking programs that put women first

Cofertility offers two distinct programs designed to meet different needs and preferences. The Keep program provides traditional egg freezing services, allowing women to store all their retrieved eggs for future use. By freezing your eggs through Cofertility’s Keep program, you’ll gain access to:

• Preferred and vetted fertility clinic recommendations in many major areas, 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)

Cofertility believes in complete transparency about costs. The Keep program provides detailed pricing upfront, including:

• All medical procedures
• Necessary medications
• Storage fees
• Additional services

What truly distinguishes Cofertility is our Split program—a first-of-its-kind approach that makes egg freezing entirely free, including medications and storage, while maintaining the same high standards of care. Through Split, women can freeze and store their eggs at no cost by donating half of the retrieved eggs to a family who cannot conceive otherwise. This program maintains the same exceptional standards as Keep while making fertility preservation accessible to more women. 

Why the Split program is revolutionary

The Split program earned particular praise for its innovative approach to making egg freezing accessible. Unlike traditional egg freezing services that can cost $15,000 or more, Split provides:

• Free egg freezing and storage
• Free medications
• Free genetic screening
• The opportunity to help another family
• The same high-quality care as the Keep program

This program removes financial barriers while allowing women to preserve their fertility and help others build families.

Quality care without compromise

At Cofertility, medical excellence is non-negotiable. We partner exclusively with the nation's top fertility clinics, ensuring every patient receives care from board-certified reproductive endocrinologists and experienced embryologists. These partnerships mean patients benefit from:

• State-of-the-art laboratories and freezing techniques
• Rigorous quality control standards
• Comprehensive genetic screening
• Industry-leading success rates

Personal support from dedicated Member Advocates

At the heart of Cofertility's exceptional experience are our Member Advocates—experienced professionals who guide you through every aspect of your egg freezing process. Our Member Advocates provide personalized, one-on-one support from your first consultation through egg freezing and beyond.

Each Member Advocate brings extensive knowledge about fertility care and a deep commitment to supporting women through this significant decision. They're not just coordinators; they're advocates who:

• Help you understand your options between our Keep and Split programs
• Connect you with top clinics that match your needs and location
• Coordinate all medical appointments and scheduling
• Answer questions about medications and procedures
• Provide emotional support throughout the process
• Help you join our community of others going through similar experiences

Many of our Member Advocates have personal experience with fertility treatment, bringing both professional expertise and genuine empathy to their roles. They understand the questions, concerns, and emotions that come with egg freezing because they've been there themselves.

This personalized support makes a real difference. As one member noted, "Having someone who knew exactly what to expect, could answer all my questions, and was always available made me feel so much more confident about my decision to freeze and donate my eggs."

Our Member Advocates are available through text, email, or phone—whatever works best for you. They're known for their quick response times and willingness to go above and beyond to support our members. Whether you need help understanding a medical term, want to adjust your medication schedule, or just need someone to talk to, your Member Advocate is there.

Founded and run by women

In an industry historically dominated by male leadership and corporate interests, we aim to be different. Our female founders brought both professional expertise and personal understanding to reimagine egg freezing from the ground up.

What makes Cofertility different is that we've experienced these challenges firsthand. We understand the anxiety of waiting rooms, the complexity of insurance paperwork, the stress of scheduling appointments around work, and the weight of making decisions about your future fertility. This perspective shapes everything we do:

• We design our programs around women's actual needs and schedules
• We explain medical information clearly, without condescension
• We build supportive communities rather than leaving women to navigate this alone
• We prioritize transparency in pricing and medical information
• We create inclusive spaces for all paths to parenthood

This female-led approach extends throughout our organization. Our team brings together women with deep experience in healthcare, technology, and fertility services. Many have gone through fertility treatment themselves. This collective experience helps us anticipate and solve problems before they affect our members.

Being women-founded and women-led isn't just about representation—it's about fundamentally changing how fertility care works. We're proud to be recognized as the best egg freezing service, but we're even prouder of why: we're creating the fertility care experience that women deserve.

Making egg freezing work for you

Being named the best egg freezing service by Goop is an honor, but our real measure of success is in the women we serve every day. Whether you choose our Keep program or our innovative Split program, you'll find the same commitment to excellence, personal support, and genuine care that earned us this recognition.

The future of fertility care shouldn't be defined by barriers and limitations. It should be shaped by choice, accessibility, and support. At Cofertility, we're proud to lead this change, but we're even prouder to support women as they make important decisions about their fertility.

Ready to learn more? Reach out to us. We'll help you understand your options, answer your questions, and guide you toward the program that best fits your needs. You can also join our community to connect with others who are considering or going through egg freezing.

Your fertility decisions are personal, but you don't have to navigate them alone. Let us show you why we're considered the best in egg freezing—not just for what we do, but for how we do it.

At Cofertility, we're committed to continuously improving our egg sharing program and providing the best possible experience for our members. Recently, we conducted a survey of 121 split members to gather insights into their motivations, experiences, and suggestions for improving our egg sharing program. We're excited to share some key findings and outline areas where we're focusing our efforts to enhance our program.

What we learned

Motivation for egg sharing

One of the most striking findings from our survey was the strong preference for our egg sharing model over traditional cash compensation. Many members expressed that they felt more comfortable with the idea of helping a family while also preserving their own fertility options. In fact, a whopping 88% of respondents stated that they were more motivated to donate their eggs via egg sharing than via a cash-compensation egg donation model. 

“This has been such a positive and meaningful experience for me! I initially started this process mostly thinking about the free egg freezing benefits for myself, but after learning more about/virtually meeting the IPs I am donating to, it made me so much more excited for that part of the process and that I’m able to help such a great couple start a family of their own.”

This feedback reinforces our belief in the ethical and emotional benefits of our unique model.

Overall satisfaction

We were heartened to see that most members reported positive experiences with Cofertility. 97.4% either agreed or strongly agreed that regardless of their own family-building journey, they were glad to have participated in an egg sharing program.

This exceeds industry standards. A UK study found that egg share donors are happy with their decision: 83.3% would donate again, and only 2.1% regretted their participation.

“I'm at a time in my life that I'm thinking about having a family, but definitely later. I had thought about freezing my eggs but the cost was what stopped me from doing it sooner. It really is problematic that your eggs are most viable when you have the least in your bank. This Cofertility split program has given me the chance to secure my eggs while they are still viable without worrying about cost, and the bonus is that I get to help a family in need as well. It sounds a little too good to be true... and yet. Genius.”

Areas for improvement

We love hearing how positive this experience has been for so many of you, but we’re always looking for ways to make it even better— especially when you share feedback on how we can improve. Here’s what we’re focusing on, thanks to your insights:

1. Post-retrieval communication

We know some of you have felt a bit unsure about what happens after the egg retrieval. That’s completely understandable—it’s a big step, but it’s not the end of the journey. Once your eggs are safely stored, your Member Advocate will reach out to walk you through the next steps. Whether it’s getting you connected with our online community, helping you plan for the future, or offering advice for your OBGYN, we’ll make sure you feel supported.

And while post-retrieval complications are very rare, if anything comes up, know that we’ll be there to guide you through it and ensure you feel fully supported throughout your recovery.

2. Matching process

We completely understand how difficult it can feel if it takes longer than you expected to find a match. While we know it can be discouraging, please remember that this process can take time and is just about finding the right fit. 

We’ll check in with you and work together to make your profile stand out even more. This could include updating your questionnaire with more detailed answers, adding a video to showcase your personality, or sharing additional photos. Whatever we can do to help, we’ll be with you every step of the way.

That said, we want to be honest—there is a chance you may not match, but we’re here to help in every way we can. We can offer advice on different fertility, like our Keep program, so even if a match doesn’t happen, you’ll have other paths to explore with our full support.

3. Clarity on the number of cycles

We heard from some members that they didn’t know if Split members do one egg freezing cycle and donate half the eggs or do two cycles (one cycle for themselves and one cycle to donate). The right number of egg freezing cycles depends on how many eggs you retrieve, your age, how many children you think you want to have from the frozen eggs, and your personal preferences. We have some content on the topic but think this is a great conversation for you to have with your doctor, who can provide you with medical advice. 

Ultimately, this is your decision. We’re here to fully support your goals.

Looking ahead

Your feedback is invaluable in helping us create the best possible experience for egg donors. We're deeply grateful for your honesty and willingness to share your experiences with us.

"I had an overall great experience. Cofertility has been super supportive!" This comment from one of our members encapsulates what we strive for, and we're committed to making this the universal experience for all our members!

We want you to know that we're listening, we care, and we're actively working to get better every day. Our goal is to continue refining our program to ensure it truly serves the needs of our members.

Thank you for being part of the Cofertility community. Together, we're reimagining fertility care and creating new possibilities for families everywhere.

So, you’re considering donating your eggs. But you’ve been wondering about the future of those eggs once retrieved. Who will they go to? Will you have a say? 

Historically, egg donation has been a process shrouded in anonymity, where the donor and the family never meet, and the egg donor knows nothing about the family. However, not only is full anonymity in egg donation impossible with today’s technology, but it might not be what you want. Some women donating their eggs may want to know more about the recipient family, or even meet them. That’s why Cofertility is proud to be the first company to introduce the concept of “mutual matching” in the egg donation process. 

In this article, we’ll explore what mutual matching in egg donation is, why it matters, and how our Split program empowers women with more ethical choices in their egg donation journeys.

What is mutual matching?

Mutual matching in egg donation is a much more human-centered, personalized approach to connecting egg donors and recipients. 

Through Cofertility’s Split program, women can freeze their eggs for free when they donate half of the eggs retrieved to another family who can’t conceive, including those with infertility, gay dads, cancer survivors, and more. 

For Split members participating in the fresh egg donation program, we offer the option to learn more about the recipient family before agreeing to start the egg donation process. This can be through a call with the intended parents or by connecting asynchronously through a letter or video recording. 

A mutual match means the matching process is a two-way street. The intended parents aren’t the only ones who select a match, nor are they the only ones to determine the scope and degree of communication required before confirming a mutual match. The Split member should be comfortable and consenting to moving forward, too — that’s why it’s called mutual. 

Why we were the first to offer mutual matching

Traditionally, egg donation has been an “anonymous” process, with strict guidelines that ensure neither the donor nor the intended parents know the identity of the other party. However, with the advent of DNA testing, true anonymity is impossible to guarantee. Plus, not everyone wants it to be a secret. 

When we started Cofertility, we wanted to do a lot of things about egg donation differently. One of those things was simply giving you  the option of knowing who your eggs are going to and being able to say no if it doesn’t feel right. 

Mutual matching changes the old egg donation dynamic by giving you the option to learn more about, or even communicate with, the recipient family before the process continues. This offers both parties the opportunity to engage in a meaningful way, discuss their expectations, or just get to know each other. 

At Cofertility, a mutual match is entirely optional — not everyone may want to know more about the recipient family, and that’s okay. We respect everyone’s choice in how they experience the process. 

Why is a mutual match important (for some)?

Ensuring that every match moves forward with the consent of both the egg donor and the intended parent(s) is central to our process. While the degree and format of information exchanged prior to a mutual match can vary, the core principle remains: both parties must feel comfortable and agree to proceed. 

For some Split Members, a mutual match provides a sense of trust and reassurance. Others may prefer to keep the experience private and maintain distance. The beauty of mutual matching is that it offers flexibility, allowing matches to mutually agree to the level of engagement that feels right for them.

From a donor’s perspective, mutual matching can offer a more humanizing experience. Donating eggs is a big decision; some women feel more comfortable knowing more about the family who will benefit from their generosity. Mutual matching can foster a connection based on shared values and mutual respect, helping donors feel even more empowered in their decision-making process.

Disclosed vs. undisclosed egg donation

While intended parents initially pick a donor match from our database, mutual matching refers to the egg donor having the final say in moving forward with the donation with that family or not. 

You’ll also want to consider how, if at all, you would communicate with the family after the egg donation.  

If the eggs you donate lead to a child (and we hope they do!), your relationship with the parents and/or children can take on two forms:

• Disclosed: You exchange contact information and can communicate directly.
• Undisclosed: You do not exchange contact information and only communicate via Cofertility.

The scope and degree of communication (both during and post-match) is what both parties make of it and can be outlined in your legal agreement. Communication can range from sharing an annual holiday card to direct, regular communication between you and the donor-conceived child. 

This allows both donors and recipients to have more control over how much information they wish to share and whether they want the option of mutual matching. While disclosed donation provides more openness and the potential for mutual matching, undisclosed donation provides a more traditional approach, where no identifiable information is shared between the donor and the recipient, without guaranteeing anonymity. 

And, even if a Split member wishes to remain undisclosed, she can still connect with intended parents on a call should they choose to opt in. At Cofertility, we believe it’s important for everyone to have options and to make the choice that feels best for them.

The future of egg donation

At Cofertility, we believe that giving donors and recipient families the option of mutual matching is a step toward more ethical and transparent egg donation practices. We are proud to have been the first agency to introduce this option and set the standard, and we hope others will follow

Mutual matching may not be for everyone, but having the option ensures that each woman who chooses to donate can do so in a way that aligns with her values and preferences. Whether a donor opts to know more about the family or not, the most important thing is that she feels supported and empowered in her decision.

We are committed to ensuring that each donor’s journey is as positive and meaningful as possible. By offering more choices, Cofertility is proud to lead the way in a new era of egg donation — one where transparency, ethics, and personal agency come first.

To see if you qualify for Cofertility’s Split program, our unique approach to free egg freezing when you donate half the eggs retrieved to another family that can’t conceive, click here.

We’ve helped thousands of women freeze their eggs over the years in our Keep and Split programs. For those considering Split, where you freeze your eggs for free when donating half to a family that couldn’t otherwise conceive, there are even more questions about the donation piece. It's a big decision, and it's natural to want to know everything before moving forward. This article aims to address the most common questions we receive, providing clear and honest answers to help you make an informed choice.

Will egg donation affect my future fertility?

This is one of the most frequent concerns we hear. The short answer is no, egg donation does not harm your future fertility. Here's why:

• During a typical menstrual cycle, your ovaries prepare several eggs, but usually, only one matures and is released during ovulation. The rest of the eggs that month naturally break down and are reabsorbed by your body.
• The hormone medications used in egg freezing/donation allow all the eggs in that menstrual cycle to mature instead of just one. The key is that you're not losing more eggs than you would have otherwise—you're just maximizing the potential of your current cycle.  
• You get a new group of eggs each menstrual cycle, so donating doesn't deplete your overall egg reserve.
• Research has not shown any long-term negative impacts on fertility from egg donation.

Our Medical Advisor, Dr. Mare Mbaye, wrote more about this topic: Does Donating Eggs Affect Your Fertility?

Why might I need to take birth control pills during the donation process?

Birth control pills are sometimes used in egg donation cycles for two main reasons:

1. Timing: They help synchronize your cycle with the recipient's treatment schedule.

2. Follicle synchronization: They help ensure your follicles are all uniform and small before the stimulation phase. When follicles are similar in size, they respond more evenly to the stimulation medications, allowing a greater number of eggs to mature at the same pace. 

3. Ovarian cyst prevention: The hormones in birth control pills can help suppress the growth of ovarian cysts during the stimulation phase. 

Not all cycles require birth control pills. Your medical team will determine if they're necessary for your specific situation.

Read more: Egg Freezing and Birth Control: An Overview

What's the difference between mature and immature eggs?

During the egg retrieval process, doctors aim to collect mature eggs, also known as metaphase II (MII) oocytes. MII eggs are the ones that are fully mature and ready for fertilization. Metaphase I (MI) stage eggs have started maturing but aren't fully developed yet. MI eggs can sometimes mature into the more developed MII stage with the right conditions, but this doesn’t always happen. Germinal vesicle (GV) stage eggs are the most immature and can be recognized by having a visible nucleus. Here's a brief explanation:

• Mature eggs: These are ready for fertilization and have the best chance of developing into healthy embryos. The hormone medications used in egg donation help maximize the number of mature eggs retrieved.
• Immature eggs: These eggs haven't completed their developmental process and are less likely to result in successful pregnancies today. However, members of our Split program get to keep all the immature eggs if their clinic policy allows in hopes of being able to use them in the future.

Our Medical Advisor Dr. Meera Shah wrote more about this: Egg Freezing: Mature vs. Immature Eggs

How does the disclosure process work?

At Cofertility, Egg donation range on a spectrum from undisclosed to disclosed. Many donors have questions about what this looks like:

• In a disclosed relationship, you exchange contact information and can communicate directly. The scope and degree of communication (both during and post-match) is what both parties make of it. 
• In an undisclosed relationship,  you do not exchange contact information and only communicate through Cofertility. With an undisclosed donation, you and the family can choose to allow the donor-conceived child to receive your contact information when they turn a certain age (usually 18). This is called Open ID, an increasingly popular option.

It's a common misconception that disclosed donation means frequent or ongoing contact. In reality, the level of communication can vary greatly:

• It might be limited to medical updates or questions.
• Some families choose to have more open relationships, while others prefer minimal contact.
• You and the recipient family can discuss and agree on communication preferences.

Read more: Disclosed vs Undisclosed Egg Donation: How Do I Choose?

Will egg donation be painful?

The egg retrieval process is typically not painful, but you may experience some discomfort:

• The procedure is done under sedation, so you won't feel pain during the retrieval.
• After the procedure, you might have some cramping or bloating for a few days.
• Most people describe the discomfort as similar to menstrual cramps.

Read more: Is It Painful to Freeze or Donate My Eggs?

What are the costs associated with egg donation?

As a Split member, you don't incur any costs. All of your office visits, screenings, medication, procedures, and travel expenses, plus 10 years of storage with our preferred biorepository partner, are completely covered. 

The only expenses you would encounter is in the future, when you ship the eggs to a clinic to fertilize.  

Can I donate if I have a particular medical condition?

Eligibility for egg donation depends on various factors. Some medical conditions may disqualify you, while others may not affect your ability to donate. The best way to find out is to reach out to us, or apply. 

Read more in Can I Freeze My Eggs If...

How many times can I donate eggs?

The American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) is an organization that provides guidance and recommendations to fertility clinics and professionals. One of the guidelines that the ASRM has established is regarding the maximum number of egg donation cycles that an egg donor can undergo in their lifetime. According to their recommendations, egg donors should undergo no more than six cycles of egg donation throughout their lifetime. However, most of our Split members donate only one or two times. 

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While this article covers many common questions, please reach out if you have any other questions or want to talk through the process with one of our Member Advocates. At Cofertility, we're committed to providing transparent information and support throughout the egg donation process.

If you're participating in Cofertility’s Split Program, where you freeze your eggs for free when donating half to another family that can't otherwise conceive, a necessary step in the process is carrier screening. Carrier screening is a type of genetic test that can tell you whether you carry a gene for certain genetic disorders. This critical step ensures the best possible outcomes for both you and the recipient family.

You may have some questions or find yourself wondering about its necessity, what it involves, and how the results could affect you and the intended parents. This article aims to clarify the process and provide you with essential information to help you feel informed and confident.

By understanding the role of genetic testing, you'll be better equipped to make informed decisions and communicate effectively with healthcare providers, genetic counselors, and anyone else.

Why is genetic testing required for egg donors?

The American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) has developed guidance for the screening of egg donors that most clinics and egg donation agencies (like ours) follow. This  guidance includes genetic risk assessment, and specifically carrier screening. Why is carrier screening important?

Carrier screening plays an important role in ensuring the health of any potential children resulting from the donation. Many genetic conditions are recessive, meaning a person can carry the gene without showing symptoms. By screening egg donors, we can identify these genetic variants and minimize the risk of passing on inherited disorders.

Importantly, this genetic information is also valuable for you as the donor. It provides insights into your own genetic makeup, which can be beneficial for your future family planning. If you discover you're a carrier for a particular condition, you can make informed decisions about your own reproductive health and discuss potential risks with your healthcare provider.

Additionally, genetic testing helps in the matching process between donors and intended parents. By understanding the genetic profiles of both parties, we can ensure compatibility and reduce the risk of passing on inherited disorders. This contributes to the overall success and safety of the egg donation process.

What is carrier screening?

Carrier screening is a type of DNA test that looks for variants (mutations or DNA changes) in certain genes. These genes are associated with "recessive" conditions, which means a person needs to inherit two copies of the variant gene - one from each parent - to develop the condition.

Understanding autosomal recessive inheritance

We inherit two copies of every gene - one from the egg provider and one from the sperm provider. Autosomal recessive diseases occur when someone has a gene variant in both copies of a certain gene. Individuals who carry only one variant for a recessive disease are called "carriers" and generally don't have any symptoms of the disease.

X-linked inheritance

Some conditions are linked to genes on the X chromosome. Females typically have two X chromosomes, while males have one X and one Y chromosome. For X-linked conditions, males who have a variant are usually affected, while females are typically carriers. This is important in egg donation because a female carrier has a chance of passing the condition to male offspring.

The testing process

Genetic testing for egg donors typically involves the following steps:

1. Sample collection: Either a blood draw, saliva, or cheek swab sample is taken.
2. Laboratory analysis: The sample is sent to a specialized genetics laboratory for analysis.
3. Waiting period: Results usually come back within 2-3 weeks.
4. Result interpretation: A healthcare provider or genetic counselor will interpret the results for you, at no cost to you.

Today’s carrier screening tests often examine more than 100 genes associated with various inherited conditions. This comprehensive approach has replaced older methods that only tested for conditions common in specific ethnic groups.

What can you learn from genetic testing?

Genetic testing, particularly carrier screening, can provide you with a wealth of information about your genetic makeup. Primarily, you'll learn about your carrier status for the genetic conditions included in the panel. Being a carrier means you have one copy of a gene variant associated with a particular condition, but you don't have the condition yourself. This information is helpful for understanding potential reproductive risks, both for your role as an egg donor and for your own future family planning.

In addition to carrier status, genetic testing can sometimes offer insights into your ethnic background. Certain genetic variants are more common in specific populations, which can provide clues about your genetic ancestry. While this isn't the primary purpose of the screening, it can be an interesting secondary finding for some individuals.

Occasionally, carrier screening might reveal unexpected information about your own health. For instance, being a carrier for certain conditions might be associated with an increased risk of developing related health issues. While rare, these findings can be valuable for your long-term health management.

Furthermore, genetic testing results can sometimes shed light on your family health history. You might gain a better understanding of why certain conditions run in your family or discover previously unknown genetic factors that could be relevant to your relatives.

While genetic testing provides valuable information, it doesn't predict everything about your health or your potential offspring. Many factors beyond genetics contribute to overall health and development. Nonetheless, the insights gained from genetic testing can be a powerful tool for making informed decisions about your health and your participation in the egg donation process.

Types of conditions included in carrier screening

Carrier screening generally tests for genes associated with:

• Moderate to severe childhood diseases
• Conditions that lead to a shorter life expectancy
• Disorders causing disability
• Diseases with limited or no treatment options

Some examples of conditions often included in carrier screening are:

• Cystic fibrosis
• Spinal muscular atrophy
• Thalassemia/hemoglobinopathy
• Fragile X syndrome
• Tay-Sachs disease
• Sickle cell anemia

Specific conditions tested can vary depending on the screening panel used.

How genetic test results affect your donor status

In most cases, being a carrier for a genetic condition won't prevent you from being an egg donor. The key is ensuring that your genetic profile doesn't match with any variants carried by the intended parents or sperm provider.

However, there are some rare situations where a positive carrier screen might affect your eligibility, like if you're a carrier for a serious X-linked condition, like Fragile X.

What does a negative carrier screen mean?

A negative or normal screen means that no changes were found in any of the genes on the panel tested by the lab. While this is good news, it's important to remember that no test is perfect. Carrier screening doesn't test for all recessive diseases and can't identify all carriers for the diseases that were tested.

What does a positive carrier screen mean?

A positive carrier screen means that you have been identified as a carrier for one or more genetic conditions tested in the screening. Being a carrier doesn't mean you have the condition yourself. Instead, it means you have one copy of a gene variant associated with a particular condition.

Being a carrier is actually quite common. Most people are carriers for at least one genetic condition, and this usually doesn't affect their health. However, it can have implications for reproductive planning, both for egg donation and your own future family planning.

If you receive a positive result on your carrier screen, there's no need to worry. We cover the cost of talking to a genetic counselor to help you understand what your test results mean. The genetic counselor can explain your results in detail, discuss any potential implications, and answer any questions you may have. This ensures that you have a clear understanding of your genetic status and can make informed decisions moving forward.

Remember, a positive carrier screen doesn't necessarily disqualify you from being an egg donor. The implications depend on the specific condition and the genetic status of the intended parents or sperm provider. The genetic counselor and your Cofertility Member Advocate will guide you through what your results mean for your participation in the egg donation program.

Summing it up

Genetic testing is a required part of the egg donation process. It is a tool to ensure the best possible outcomes for all involved. The information you gain can be valuable not only for your role as an egg donor but also for your own future family planning.

As you go through this process, it's normal to have questions or concerns. Don't hesitate to ask your fertility doctor, genetic counselor, or your Cofertility Member Advocate for clarification or support. They're there to guide you through this important step in your egg donation journey.

Remember, being a carrier for a genetic condition is common and doesn't necessarily impact your overall health or ability to be an egg donor. By participating in genetic testing, you're contributing to informed decision-making and potentially helping create families while gaining valuable insight into your own genetic makeup.

You may not be ready to have kids quite yet, but perhaps you’re starting to think about your future. If you’re exploring fertility preservation or assisted reproductive technologies, you might be considering whether egg freezing and embryo banking is right for you. 

Both options offer unique advantages and considerations, and understanding their differences is important for making an informed choice that aligns with your goals and values. In this guide, we'll dive into both egg freezing vs. embryo banking, empowering you to navigate this important decision with confidence.

How does egg freezing and embryo banking differ?

Both egg freezing and embryo banking begin with the same medical procedure: about 10-14 days of fertility medications and monitoring appointments, followed by an egg retrieval. 

The fertility medications encourage the development of multiple mature eggs, followed by a minimally invasive procedure to retrieve those eggs. The medical process, medications, and monitoring are identical whether you ultimately choose to freeze your eggs or create embryos.

The key difference between egg freezing and embryo banking lies in what happens after your eggs are retrieved.

• Egg Freezing: The retrieved eggs are immediately frozen using vitrification technology and stored until you're ready to use them. In the future, when you decide to pursue pregnancy, these eggs will be thawed, fertilized with sperm, and the resulting embryos will be transferred to your uterus.
• Embryo Banking: The retrieved eggs are fertilized with sperm in the laboratory, creating embryos. These embryos are then cultured for a few days and the healthiest ones are selected and frozen. When you're ready for pregnancy, the embryos are thawed and transferred to your uterus.

In essence, the medical journey up to the point of retrieval is the same for both options. The decision point comes after retrieval, where you choose whether to freeze the eggs unfertilized or to fertilize them and freeze the resulting embryos. Which option is right for you may depend on factors like whether you have a partner or access to sperm at the time of retrieval, or your personal preferences around timing and future family planning.

Egg freezing: increasing your options down the line

Egg freezing, also known as oocyte cryopreservation, is a process where your eggs are retrieved, frozen, and stored for future use. This technology has revolutionized fertility preservation, providing women with the opportunity to delay childbearing and increase their chances of having a biological child later in life.  

Pros of egg freezing

• Flexibility and autonomy: Egg freezing offers women greater control over their reproductive timeline. It allows them to focus on career goals, personal development, or finding the right partner before starting a family.  
• Medical reasons: Women facing medical conditions that may impact their fertility, such as cancer treatment or certain surgeries, can benefit from egg freezing as a way to preserve their options.  
• Technological advancements: Advances in vitrification (flash-freezing) technology have significantly improved the success rates of egg freezing, making it a more reliable option.  

Cons of egg freezing

• Age-related factors: While egg freezing can preserve fertility, the age at which eggs are frozen plays a critical role in their viability and potential for successful pregnancy.  
• Additional procedures: If you decide to use your frozen eggs, you'll need to undergo in vitro fertilization (IVF) to fertilize them and transfer the resulting embryos.  
• Cost: Egg freezing and subsequent IVF can be expensive, and insurance coverage may vary.  

Embryo banking: a step closer to parenthood

Embryo banking, or embryo cryopreservation, involves creating embryos through IVF using a woman's eggs and a partner's or a donor's sperm. These embryos are then frozen and stored for future use.  

Pros of embryo banking

• Known fertility potential: With embryo banking, you have a better understanding of the fertility potential of the embryos, as they have already undergone fertilization and, if you choose, can undergo preimplantation genetic testing (PGT). This allows you to understand the genetic makeup of your embryos sooner and determine whether additional egg retrievals might be needed.
• Higher success rates: Embryos have slightly higher survival rates after thawing compared to eggs, potentially increasing the chances of a successful pregnancy.
• Gender selection: With embryo banking, you have the possibility of learning the sex of the embryos sooner through preimplantation genetic testing), whereas with egg freezing, you would need to wait until fertilization and further testing at a later stage.

Cons of embryo banking

• Requires sperm: Embryo banking requires the use of sperm, which may not be ideal fo r those without access to sperm or those who haven't found a partner yet.  
• Ethical and legal considerations: Embryo banking could raise ethical and legal questions regarding ownership, disposition, and potential future use of the embryos, particularly in cases of divorce or death.
• Can’t be undone: Once embryos are created with someone’s sperm, they can’t be turned back into eggs, meaning you can’t change your mind on the biological father for those fertilized eggs down the line.

Questions to ask yourself

Choosing between egg freezing and embryo banking is a deeply personal decision, and will depend on your individual circumstances, goals, and values. To help you navigate this choice, here are some good questions to ask yourself:

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• What are my current relationship goals and family plans? Are you planning to have children with your partner? Or are you unsure about your future plans?
• What is my financial situation, and can I afford the associated costs? Both egg freezing and embryo banking can be expensive. Does your insurance cover the costs? Does your employer, or a partner’s employer, offer any fertility benefits?
• What are my thoughts regarding embryo creation and storage? Embryo banking involves creating and potentially storing embryos that may not be used. Would you be okay with that?
• Am I comfortable with the potential outcomes and uncertainties associated with each option? Both egg freezing and embryo banking have varying success rates, and there's no guarantee of a successful pregnancy. 
• Have I discussed my options with my partner and/or a fertility doctor? Open communication with your partner and seeking guidance from a fertility doctor will help you make an informed decision that aligns with your goals and values.

Remember, knowledge is power. Understanding the processes and considerations involved will help you make the choice that best suits your individual needs and aspirations.

Summing it up

Choosing between egg freezing and embryo banking is a big decision with long-term implications. You’ll want to carefully consider your individual circumstances, goals, and values before moving forward. 

Remember, you can always turn eggs into embryos but the opposite is not true. So if you have any doubt, freezing eggs may provide more flexibility for future decisions.

Egg freezing and embryo banking with Cofertility

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

Through our Split program, qualified applicants 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 and Split members also get 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 individuals overcome the biological constraints of their reproductive timeline, giving egg freezers greater control of their career goals and family planning while promoting social justice and advancing gender equality.

Read more:

• Should I Freeze Eggs or Embryos?
• We Asked Four Women: Did You Freeze Eggs or Embryos?
• How Much It Costs to Freeze Your Eggs
• Should Your Partner Help Pay For Your Egg Freezing?

If you just started researching egg freezing, you might feel like you’ve been introduced to a whole new language. Whether clinical in nature or just shortened slang, with egg freezing comes its own terminology. And even if you’ve already educated yourself on what’s involved with egg freezing, chances are, you’ll come across an acronym you’ve never heard of. 

Fear not. Below, you’ll find a comprehensive list of acronyms, abbreviations, and terms you should know when diving into an egg freezing cycle. Read this, and soon you’ll rattle off egg freezing lingo like a pro. 

Hormones and general fertility 

• AMH: One of the first hormones your reproductive endocrinologist will investigate, Anti-Müllerian Hormone is measured early in a woman’s cycle to determine her ovarian reserve. A higher AMH level correlates to a higher ovarian reserve, or in other words, more eggs.
• CD: "Cycle day"—or the day of one's menstrual cycle, with CD1 = the first day of a period. Understanding your cycle length is super important, as it may indicate your most fertile window of dates. It will also help you determine any irregularities to consider as you embark on an egg freezing cycle. 
• DPO: "Days past ovulation." In a typical menstrual cycle, women can expect their period at 14DPO.
• Dx: Diagnosis, the medical identification of a condition or issue affecting fertility, which may impact decisions regarding egg freezing and related treatments.
• E2: Estradiol, a female hormone that's produced by ovarian follicles and determines how well a woman is responding to controlled ovarian hyperstimulation with fertility drugs. If you're freezing your eggs, you’ll have several routine monitoring appointments that include ultrasounds and bloodwork that measures estradiol levels. The higher the estradiol, the more follicles that are likely developing and (fingers crossed) the more eggs that may be retrieved.
• FSH: Follicle stimulating hormone, a hormone released from the pituitary gland to stimulate the ovaries or testicles. When getting an initial fertility workup, you'll get tested for your existing FSH. If you're taking FSH as a drug as part of your egg freezing protocol, it's also known in the United States as Follistim, Gonal-F or Bravelle.
• hCG: Human Chorionic gonadotropin, a hormone produced by an implanting embryo. If this hormone is present in a woman's blood, it indicates a possible pregnancy. It can also be given to women undergoing an egg freezing cycle to trigger ovulation right before a retrieval procedure.
• LH: Luteinising Hormone, a hormone released by the pituitary gland to stimulate the gonads (ovaries and testicles). If you're freezing your eggs, you'll have levels of this hormone measured often via bloodwork in order to determine ovulation timing.
• LMP: "Last menstrual period," or the start date of a woman's last menstrual period.
• MII: Metaphase II, the stage of egg maturation where the egg is ready for (hypothetical) fertilization, with chromosome alignment necessary for successful embryo development.
• PCOS: "Polycystic ovarian syndrome," a condition where the ovaries develop many small cysts, which results in irregular periods and ovulation. It can contribute to future infertility, so if you know you have PCOS, regardless of whether you’re freezing your eggs or not, chat with a reproductive endocrinologist to ensure a safe and healthy plan.
• TSH: Thyroid stimulating hormone, a hormone produced by the pituitary gland meant to stimulate the release of thyroid hormone by the thyroid gland. Recent research has suggested that slightly low TSH may associate with fertility challenges.

Egg freezing 

• AFC: “Antral follicle count,” a count of the number of small follicles in a woman's ovaries, seen via ultrasound early on in her cycle. Used to measure ovarian reserve, you'll have a lot of these if you're freezing your eggs to monitor how you're responding to ovary-stimulating medication.
• ART: “Assisted reproductive technology,” including any procedure involving egg retrievals and manipulating eggs and sperm outside the body. It includes things like egg freezing, gamete intrafallopian transfer (GIFT), in vitro fertilization (IVF), and zygote intrafallopian transfer/tubal embryo transfer (ZIFT/TET). 
• BCP: Birth control pills. If you’re freezing your eggs, your doctor may prescribe these as part of a medicated cycle in order to regulate the timing
• COH: “Controlled ovarian hyperstimulation,” when several follicles mature simultaneously in response to fertility drug treatment. The key word here is controlled. Your follicle growth will be carefully monitored by your doctor, who will adjust your medication protocol accordingly to stimulate or halt further growth.
• ER: "Egg retrieval" — not "emergency room!" An ER will be performed as part of an egg freezing cycle, and may also be referred to as a VOR (“Vaginal Oocyte Retrieval”).
• IM: Intramuscular, a method of injecting medication directly into a muscle. This method is often used for hormone treatments during the egg freezing process.
• OC: “Oocyte Cryopreservation,” which is another term for egg freezing. 
• OHSS: “Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome,” a condition where the ovaries become excessively swollen and painful due to the overproduction of eggs from fertility medications. This is very rare, but can happen.
• REI: "Reproductive endocrinologist," or a doctor who specializes in treating male and female fertility.
• SD1: “Stimulation Day 1,” or the first day of medication administered to stimulate the ovaries for egg production during the egg freezing process.
• SQ: Subcutaneous (also abbreviated as SC), a method of injecting medication into the fatty tissue just under the skin, commonly used for administering fertility hormones during an egg freezing cycle.
• TVUS: “Transvaginal Ultrasound,” an imaging technique used to visualize the ovaries and follicles internally, providing information about egg development and ovarian health. If you’re undergoing an egg freezing cycle, you’ll have a lot of these, but they are quick and painless. 

Egg donation

• DE: “Donor eggs,” or eggs provided by another woman to be fertilized with sperm and transferred to the uterus of an intended parent or gestational carrier.
• IP: “Intended parent,” which is a person who becomes the legal parent of a child born through third party reproduction.

If you’re feeling totally overwhelmed by all that’s involved with egg freezing, we’ve got you covered. Take our quiz to see how you may qualify for our more accessible egg freezing opportunities, including our Split program, through which you can freeze your eggs for free when you donate half to another family who can’t conceive. 

We’re wishing you the best of luck on your egg freezing journey! 

Egg donation plays a crucial role in helping many individuals and couples achieve their dreams of parenthood. At Cofertility, we recognize the significance of this decision for our donors and are committed to ensuring that every aspect of the donation process is conducted with the utmost care, transparency, and respect for our donors' autonomy.

This article provides a comprehensive overview of how informed consent works at Cofertility, where women can freeze their eggs for free when donating half to a family that could not otherwise conceive. 

We'll explore the various aspects of informed consent, including its definition, its specific application to egg donation, and the medical, psychological, genetic, and legal considerations involved. By the end of this article, you'll have a clearer understanding of our commitment to ethical practices and donor well-being throughout the egg donation journey.

What is informed consent?

Informed consent is a fundamental ethical and legal principle in healthcare and medical research. It refers to the process by which a fully informed patient or participant can participate in choices about their healthcare or involvement in research. For consent to be considered "informed," several key elements must be present:

1. Disclosure: The healthcare provider or researcher must provide all relevant information about the proposed treatment, procedure, or study. This includes potential risks, benefits, alternatives, and the option to refuse or withdraw.
2. Understanding: The patient or participant must comprehend the information provided. This may involve explaining complex medical terms in plain language or using visual aids to ensure clarity.
3. Voluntariness: The decision to consent must be made freely, without coercion, undue influence, or pressure from healthcare providers, researchers, family members, or others.
4. Competence: The individual must have the mental capacity to make the decision. This means they must be of legal age and sound mind to understand the implications of their choice.
5. Consent: The patient or participant must explicitly agree to the treatment, procedure, or participation in the study, usually by signing a consent form.

Informed consent in egg donation

At Cofertility, we take donor consent very seriously. In the context of egg donation, informed consent ensures that donors fully understand all aspects of the donation process, including medical procedures, potential risks, psychological implications, and legal considerations. It empowers donors to make autonomous decisions about their bodies and genetic material, protecting their rights and well-being throughout the donation process.

To ensure that an egg donor is making a knowledgeable and autonomous decision about becoming an egg donor through our Split program, the potential donor is required to be fully educated about all aspects of the donation process. This includes:

• Medical implications: Understanding the procedures involved and potential health risks.
• Psychological considerations: Exploring the emotional aspects of egg donation.
• Genetic implications: Comprehending the long-term genetic connections created through donation.
• Legal aspects: Understanding the rights and responsibilities of egg donors.
• Egg sharing vs. financial implications: Grasping the differences between our Split program and traditional financial compensation models.

It is crucial that the donor demonstrates she understands all the information provided and has ample opportunity to ask questions before deciding to move forward. Another important aspect of informed consent is that it must be given voluntarily, without coercion or undue influence. The egg donor must understand that she has the right to withdraw from the process at any time before the egg retrieval.

This process of informed consent is just one aspect of how we work to educate each member through various aspects of the process— on top of providing support and guidance— all in the name of supporting our donors in making the best decision for themselves.

Medical risks and side effects

Just like any other medical procedure, egg donation has medical risks and side effects. Understanding the medical side effects of egg donation is vital for ensuring that donors can give informed consent, prepare for and manage potential risks, and safeguard their physical well-being. It also empowers donors to make confident, informed decisions about their participation in the donation process.

Typically, during the menstrual cycle only one egg is released. So when donating eggs,  medications are given to help produce multiple eggs at one time. Sometimes ovaries over respond to these medications and cause side effects. Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome (OHSS) is one possible side effect. The ovaries swell because they are producing more than what is typical and can become painful. Symptoms can range from mild bloating and nausea to severe symptoms such as shortness of breath, blood clots, and even kidney failure. According to the Cleveland Clinic, OHSS occurs in less than 5% of women undergoing retrieval. And severe cases are less than 1%.

Because a needle is involved to remove eggs from the ovaries, an infection is possible. However, according to the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM), pelvic infections after egg retrieval are pretty rare. Severe infections may require hospitalization and/or treatment with intravenous antibiotics. Rarely, surgery may be required to remove one or both of the ovaries, tubes, and/or uterus. Light vaginal bleeding or spotting for 1–2 days after an egg retrieval procedure is also very normal. Since the retrieval involves puncturing and aspirating ovarian follicles, it can lead to varying degrees of bleeding.

These and other potential side effects will be fully discussed and covered in detail before any procedure begins. The donor will have ample opportunity to learn about all the possible side effects and opportunity to ask questions until she feels fully informed and comfortable with moving forward. We believe that being aware of the medical side effects empowers donors to take an active role in their healthcare. This knowledge allows them to advocate for themselves, ask the right questions, and make decisions that are in their best interest.

Psychological and emotional considerations

The decision to donate eggs involves a lot of personal considerations as well, not just medical. And donors must be counseled on the potential emotional and psychological impacts of donation, including the potential for regret. Donors may experience stress related to the medical procedures, the hormones used, and the overall commitment required. But the emotional and psychological impacts can impact a donor well past the donation phase and into the future. The knowledge that their genetic material may result in the birth of a child can create a sense of connection or identity-related concerns. Donors may wonder about their genetic offspring and may feel a sense of loss or confusion regarding their role in the child's life. Donors may find that their decision affects their relationships with partners, family members, or friends, particularly if those around them have differing views on egg donation. 

This and other psychologically complex reasons are why donors undergo an extensive psychological screening to assess their emotional readiness and understanding of the potential psychological impacts of egg donation. Understanding the potential mental health implications ensures that they are prepared for the emotional journey ahead. By being aware of these potential effects, donors can make more informed decisions, seek appropriate support, and manage their mental health throughout and after the donation process. We provide access to professional mental health support that can help donors process their emotions and manage any psychological challenges that arise.

Over time, a donor's feelings about their decision might evolve. What seemed like a straightforward decision at one point in life might be reconsidered as the donor’s circumstances or perspective changes, potentially leading to feelings of regret or doubt.  So before proceeding with the donation, we discuss this with our donors to reduce the likelihood of misunderstandings or regrets later in life. This is where we spend time discussing the genetic implications of egg donation. 

Genetic implications of egg donation

The egg provided by the donor contains half of the genetic material that will combine with sperm to form an embryo. This means that the donors and recipients' family tree will be tied forever. We want our donors to understand the significance of this implication. Being informed about potential future impacts allows donors to develop coping strategies and seek support networks, whether through professional counseling, support groups, or trusted individuals in their lives.

At Cofertility, we offer potential egg donors the choice of how, if at all, they want to be connected to the family they help. Two broad options for the the relationship include: 

• Disclosed, you exchange contact information and can communicate directly. The scope and degree of communication (both during and post-match) is what both parties make of it. 
• Undisclosed, you do not exchange contact information and only communicate through Cofertility. With an undisclosed donation, you and the family can choose to allow the donor-conceived child to receive your contact information when they turn a certain age (usually 18). This is called Open ID, an increasingly popular option.

Some egg donation agencies promise the opportunity to be anonymous. However, with the rise of direct-to-consumer genetic testing services, we know that anonymity is simply not possible. It has become easier for children conceived through egg donation to discover their genetic origins and potentially locate the egg donor and other biological relatives. It’s important for donors to carefully consider this implication and discuss them with medical, psychological, and legal professionals before proceeding with the donation. 

Legal rights and responsibilities

Before the donation process begins, the donor must sign legal contracts that outline their rights, responsibilities, and the terms of the donation. The legal rights and responsibilities of an egg donor are carefully defined in a legal contract to protect both the donor and the recipients. These rights and responsibilities involve issues of parental rights, disclosure, and confidentiality and are legally binding. 

In the contract it will be explicitly directed that the egg donor relinquish all parental rights to any children born as a result of their donation. This means they have no legal responsibilities or rights regarding the child. So the donor has no legal claim to the child, no right to contact or visitation, and no responsibility for the child's upbringing. Although research and guidelines encourage transparency, suggesting that children should be informed about their genetic origins, it is up to the recipient parents to decide if and when they will disclose the egg donation to their child. 

At Cofertility donors are required to have independent legal counsel to review these contracts and ensure they fully understand their rights and obligations. There is no cost to the donor. 

Egg sharing vs. financial compensation

Egg sharing is a program in which a woman shares some of her eggs with another individual or couple who need donor eggs. In the case of Cofertility, the donor gives half of her retrieved eggs to a family who cannot conceive otherwise and keeps the rest for herself. Every expense associated - medications, supplement, travel, insurance, freezing, legal etc - are completely free of charge.

Egg sharing and financial compensation are two very different models used in the context of egg donation. Both involve women donating their eggs, but the motivations, benefits, and processes differ. 

Egg sharing is a program in which a woman shares some of her eggs with another individual or couple who need donor eggs. In the case of Cofertility, the donor gives half of her retrieved eggs to a family who cannot conceive otherwise and keeps the rest for herself. Every expense associated— medications, supplement, travel, insurance, freezing, legal, and 10 years of storage— are completely free of charge. What’s beautiful about egg sharing is that both the donor / egg sharer and the recipient benefit from the process. The donor gains access to free egg freezing, while the recipient receives donor eggs that increase their chances of conception. 

In a financial based model of egg donation, a woman donates her eggs in exchange for a direct financial payment. This compensation is for her time, effort, and the physical and emotional demands of the donation process. Donors receive a pre-agreed sum of money as compensation for the donation. This payment is not for the eggs themselves but for the donor’s participation in the process, covering time, discomfort, and any associated risks. 

With cash compensation, ethical issues can arise regarding the commodification of human eggs, the motivations of donors (financial need versus altruism), and the potential for exploitation, especially in economically disadvantaged populations. Plus, a 2021 Harvard study found that 62% of donor-conceived adults felt the exchange of money for donor gametes was wrong, and 41% were troubled by the fact that money was exchanged around their conception. 

The bottom line

Egg donation is a complex process, and it is important for potential donors to receive comprehensive information before giving their consent. This includes information regarding medical, psychological, genetic, legal, and egg sharing vs financial implications, before voluntarily agreeing to participate. They have the right to ask questions and receive clear, unbiased answers to ensure that they are making fully informed decisions at every stage of the donation process. This right is crucial for safeguarding their health, legal rights, emotional well-being, and autonomy. It also upholds ethical standards by ensuring transparency, trust, and the protection of donors from exploitation or coercion.

Egg freezing, also known as oocyte cryopreservation, is a process where a woman's eggs are retrieved, frozen, and stored for later use. This allows women to preserve their eggs at their current age, potentially increasing their chances of having a biological child in the future.

Egg freezing is becoming more and more common, with a 30% increase in egg-freezing cycles from 2021 to 2022 alone! 

I’m Dr. Meera Shah, a double-board certified OBGYN and Reproductive Endocrinologist (REI). I have helped countless women freeze their eggs as a fertility doctor and as a Medical Advisor to Cofertility. This article is a guide to everything you need to know to make a confident, informed decision about egg freezing.

Why people choose to freeze their eggs

There are many reasons why women opt for egg freezing. Here are some of the most common reasons we hear:

• Focusing on other priorities: Women focusing on career or personal goals can freeze their eggs until they're ready to start a family.
• Waiting for the right partner: As the average age of first marriage continues to rise, some women choose to freeze their eggs instead of rushing into a marriage.
• Medical reasons: Women facing medical conditions or treatments that could impact fertility, such as chemotherapy or radiation, can freeze their eggs before undergoing these treatments.
• Genetic predisposition: Women with a family history of early menopause may choose to freeze their eggs to ensure they have viable eggs for future use.
• Peace of mind: Some women simply want the peace of mind knowing they have a backup plan for their fertility.

At what age should you freeze your eggs?

There is no perfect age at which to freeze your eggs. However, the younger you can do it, the better. According to the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM), an optimal time to freeze your eggs is in your 20s and early 30s, while you have a higher ovarian reserve and eggs are healthier. 

A large 2020 study at a fertility clinic that specializes in this area looked at egg freezing cycles for over 1,200 people. It compared the average number of eggs people of different ages were able to freeze versus the “optimal” or goal number of eggs they should freeze. This goal number was based on how many eggs would give them a 70% live birth rate after doing 1 or 2 egg freezing cycles (this rate is calculated using some other numbers and it typically goes up as we age to make up for the lower number of healthy eggs). 

The study found that younger people, unsurprisingly, have an easier time freezing the goal number of eggs in one cycle. As people aged, they needed multiple egg freezing cycles to reach that goal number.

Read more in What’s the Best Age to Freeze My Eggs?

Is it worth freezing eggs after age 35?

The findings from the study above bring up a common question–is it worth freezing eggs after age 35? Well, it depends. The ASRM does not recommend egg freezing for people older than 38, but this isn’t a strict cutoff. 

Your biological clock is not a cliff. Everyone’s fertility decreases down at a different rate. Having your fertility hormones checked can sometimes help you and your doctor get a general idea of your ovarian reserve and chance of a future pregnancy. This can better help you decide if egg freezing is right for you.

Egg freezing success rates by age

Success rates with egg freezing depend on a lot of factors: your health, your ovarian reserve, your response to egg freezing medication, and the quality of the clinic. That being said, generally, younger women have higher success rates due to better egg quantity and quality. 

A study of 1,241 women found that the average number of eggs retrieved on the first egg freezing round was:

• 21 eggs for women under 35
• 17 eggs for women 35-37
• 14 eggs for women 38-40

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Because women in their 30s tend to produce less eggs, at this age you may end up having to either settle for fewer eggs for freezing or undergo multiple rounds to collect enough eggs to have on hand for later implantation. As you can imagine, those costs can creep higher and higher the more rounds you endure. 

Now, you might be thinking: isn’t 14 eggs a lot?  It’s true that eggs retrieved from women under the age of 36 will have a 95 percent survival rate after being thawed.  But, not all thawed eggs will become viable embryos and lead to a live birth. The probability of a live birth varies with the age of the woman trying to conceive and the number of mature eggs available. In short, the older the woman, the more eggs required to achieve a high probability of a live birth. 

A study in the Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics further supports this point. For example, a woman under 35 will need nine eggs to achieve a 70% chance of having at least one live birth. If you’re trying to conceive in your mid to late 30s, you may need double as many eggs to achieve that same 70% success rate. 

The right number of eggs to freeze for your age

Different folks have different reasons for freezing their eggs. Some may be thinking about prolonging their fertility into the future. Others may be freezing some eggs but also hoping to donate some eggs to help others grow a family — something that’s done via our Split program, where you freeze for free when donating half of the eggs to a family that can’t otherwise conceive. 

Either way, studies have found that the optimal number of eggs to freeze really comes down to your age. That’s because the number of eggs in the body isn’t the only thing to decrease as you get older — egg quality decreases too, and egg quality is the number one factor in determining whether an egg can eventually result in a live birth. 

Here are the number of eggs you’ll want to freeze based on your age in order to obtain an optimal live birth rate:

Should I do multiple egg retrievals?

What happens if you don’t get as many eggs as you had hoped during your egg retrieval cycle? 

If you’ve undergone one round of egg freezing and the number of eggs your reproductive endocrinologist retrieved from your ovaries wasn’t as high as you’d hoped, you may want to talk to them about trying again. A fertility specialist can help you talk through all of your options.

There is technically no limit to the number of egg freezing rounds a person can undergo, but it’s not recommended that egg donors undergo more than six cycles. If you’re hoping to split your eggs with intended parents (donating half of the eggs retrieved) as part of our Split Program, you may find that additional retrievals help you provide the optimal amount of eggs for a live birth for you and for the intentend parents too. 

The right number of eggs to freeze to have multiple children

If you’re planning to have a big family one day, you may want to look at the number of eggs it’s recommended you freeze to achieve one live birth and talk to your Reproductive Endocrinologist (REI) about freezing more eggs. 

As we shared above, a woman under age 35 will need to freeze about nine eggs to achieve a 70% chance of a successful pregnancy and live birth. If you’re under age 35 now and thinking you might want to use frozen eggs to conceive twice in your future, you will want to freeze closer to 18 eggs.

The number of eggs necessary will increase with your age at time of the retrieval, and the number of children you hope to have via those eggs. 

Can frozen eggs guarantee a successful pregnancy in the future?

When trying to decide if you should freeze your eggs, it’s important to know that egg freezing is not an “insurance policy” for your fertility. While egg freezing can take some of the stress of having a baby right now off your shoulders, it is not a guarantee that you’ll have a baby in the future. 

Why not? Well, for one, not all the eggs that get frozen will actually be viable. It’s expected that some eggs will not survive the warming process when it comes time to use the eggs. In addition, the chances of the eggs that do survive being successfully fertilized depends on a variety of factors, including how old you were when you froze them (more on this later). 

This is not to sway your decision one way or another. Ultimately, only you and your doctor can decide if egg freezing is the right decision for you. But it's important to go in knowing that it’s not meant to be a done deal. As egg freezing has gotten more popular, many companies will gloss over this fact. We don't think that's right and want to be straight with you from the outset.

Freezing your eggs when you’re unsure if you want kids

Perhaps the biggest benefit of egg freezing is that it puts the decision-making power entirely in your hands. Whether you’re freezing your eggs because you want to focus on your career or you’re about to undergo medical treatment that may affect your fertility later on, or you’re waiting to find the right partner, freezing your eggs allows you to preserve some of your fertility independently. 

While you might not be sure about having kids today, if you do decide you want kids down the road, especially if you’re in your mid- to late-thirties, having eggs on ice will increase the chances that you’re able to do so.

Know this: most people do not regret their egg retrieval procedure. We looked at five studies on egg freezing. The rates of regret reported in these studies varied, likely due to the sample size, study design, and the follow-up period. However, taken together, these studies suggest that the vast majority of those who freeze their eggs have zero regrets.

There also appear to be factors that reduce the chances of regret, including feeling fully informed beforehand, and getting adequate support during the egg freezing process. In other words, if you take the time to think things through and feel supported throughout the journey, you’re less likely to regret making this decision for yourself.

The egg freezing process: step-by-step

The egg freezing process is about a two-week journey. You will work closely with a Reproductive Endocrinologist (fertility doctor) and the clinic team throughout the process. 

Here's a detailed breakdown of what you can expect from start to finish, and beyond:

1. Ovarian stimulation: You'll take hormone medications to stimulate your ovaries to produce multiple eggs, and have multiple monitoring appointments and blood tests to see how the eggs are maturing.
2. Egg retrieval: Your eggs will be retrieved through a minor surgical procedure using ultrasound guidance.
3. Vitrification: Your eggs will be rapidly frozen using a technique called vitrification, which helps preserve their quality.
4. Storage: Your frozen eggs will be stored in a secure facility until you're ready to use them.
5. Thawing and fertilization: When you're ready to conceive, your eggs will be thawed, fertilized with sperm (either your partner's or a donor's), and transferred to your uterus.

Will egg freezing hurt my future fertility?

Egg freezing actually rescues all the other eggs that your body would otherwise allow to die during a normal menstrual cycle. So the process of egg freezing doesn’t take anything away from your egg reserve, it actually helps you save some extra eggs! And since during each cycle, your body goes through the ovulation process again with a new set of competing eggs, your chances of getting pregnant unassisted in the future also aren’t affected by egg freezing. 

What egg freezing does do is give you additional options for if and when you’re ready to start growing your family.

Is egg freezing safe?

Like any other procedure, there are risks and side effects when freezing eggs, including risks of anesthesia, bleeding, pain, and infection. Thankfully, the majority of people who go through with it deal with side effects for a few days at most. When it comes to the ovaries themselves, they generally recover quickly. The overall data indicate that the potential risks of surgical complications from egg retrieval are generally very small. However, in people with a history of endometriosis, pelvic inflammatory disease, pelvic adhesions or previous pelvic surgery, the risks are slightly increased so make sure to speak to your doctor about your medical history if you fall into any of these categories.

Egg freezing vs embryo freezing 

There’s one major difference between freezing eggs and freezing embryos. When you freeze your eggs, they stay unfertilized. We all know that to make a baby, you need an egg and a sperm because each of them provides half of the material needed. On its own, an egg can’t function (and neither can a sperm).

An embryo, on the other hand, is an egg that has already been fertilized by a sperm. Once they combine, the egg and sperm become a single cell. Over the next three to four days, the embryo divides several times, going from one to two to four to eight cells, and so on until it reaches the blastocyst stage and is ready to be frozen. Once an embryo has developed, there’s no going back– that is, there’s no way to turn that embryo back into a separate egg and sperm. 

If you don’t know who you want to have children with, then freezing your eggs may be the best approach. This option gives you the freedom to hold off on thinking about having a baby until you’ve met someone or are ready to choose a sperm donor. 

On the other hand, if you are currently with a partner who you know you’d like to have children with but now isn’t the right time, then frozen embryos might be the way to go with the goal of a future embryo transfer. The caveat here is to be 100% certain—stars like Sofia Vergara and more recently, Anna Kendrick, have run into trouble after freezing embryos with partners they didn’t end up with. 

Read more in Should I Freeze Eggs or Embryos?

Cost of egg freezing

The question of how much does it cost to freeze your eggs will come down to a few factors. These include the number of cycles you undergo to retrieve eggs and how long you keep the eggs in storage. Overall, the typical egg freezing can cost anywhere from $10,000 to $20,000 for one cycle plus the cost of storage fees.

Another option? Freeze by Co offers women a chance to freeze their eggs for free when they donate half of the retrieved eggs to a family that can’t otherwise conceive. The cost of the entire process, including 10 years of cryopreservation, is fully covered — we think it’s a win-win. 

Or, if you want to freeze and store your eggs for your own future use without donating, Freeze by Co offers lower prices on things like consultations and storage, along with access to our community of freezers. ‍We partner with lenders, like Sunfish, to offer you fertility financial resources.

Learn more about egg sharing

Egg sharing programs exist worldwide to help make fertility care more accessible. Egg sharing is when a woman undergoes an egg retrieval, and some of the resulting eggs are donated to a family that can’t otherwise conceive.

In Cofertility’s Split program, women can freeze their eggs for free when they donate half of the retrieved eggs to a family who can’t otherwise conceive. 

Ask us anything

If you’d like help figuring out when to freeze your eggs, you can contact us for more information. While every woman’s fertility preservation path differs, we can connect you with reputable clinics who can offer basic guidance about when the time is right for you to freeze your eggs during a consultation or dig into specifics by going through a preliminary exam in a provider’s office.

We understand that the timing may not be right for you to start a family right now, but that doesn’t mean it’s too early to start thinking about what choices will be available to you when that time comes. As you can see, a lot goes into preparing for an egg retrieval process.  The earlier you consider your fertility, the more options you’ll have. 

Whether you decide to freeze or not, we’re here for you to answer any questions or talk through any concerns. 

The demands of medical school can make it seem like there's never a good time to focus on personal goals like proactive family planning. But if egg freezing is on your mind, understanding the best timing can make the process much smoother. Medical school actually offers some unique advantages. You are better positioned to understand everything involved in the medical procedure.

When it comes to egg freezing, your age is the most important factor influencing future success rates with frozen eggs, so acting while you're younger (under 35) gives you the best possible options. Additionally, certain phases of med school might have slightly more flexibility than the intensity of residency.

So, when should you consider freezing your eggs during medical school? Optimal windows include summer breaks (most time available), fall/spring breaks (if you're a meticulous planner), or potentially elective periods (depending on your choices). Let’s dive in to learn more.

A quick overview of egg freezing

The egg freezing process itself typically takes a few weeks. It begins with ovarian reserve and fertility testing along with a consultation with a fertility doctor where you map out the plan. Once you’re ready to go, you'll take hormonal medications for about 10-12 days to encourage the development of multiple mature eggs. During this time, you'll have regular monitoring appointments to track your progress.  Once the eggs are ready, they'll be retrieved in a short, outpatient procedure under sedation.  After retrieval, your eggs are frozen and stored for future use.

A guide to the ideal timing during medical school

Here's the essential timeline to keep in mind:

2-3 months before your egg freezing cycle:

• Initial consult: Discuss your goals, the process, and costs with a fertility doctor.
• Baseline testing: Bloodwork and ultrasound to assess ovarian reserve.
• Stop birth control: Depending on the type of birth control you are taking, you may need to stop taking it ahead of the egg freezing cycle. 

The egg freezing cycle:

• Medications and monitoring: Begin ovarian stimulation with daily hormone injections for 10-12 days. This phase requires several monitoring appointments (ultrasounds and blood tests) at your fertility clinic or a local remote monitoring clinic. If you work with Cofertility in our Split program, we can work with you and your program to find the most convenient place for these appointments, including at your hospital.   
• Egg retrieval: Short, outpatient procedure under sedation where eggs are retrieved and frozen.
• Recovery: Expect a few days of cramping and/or bloating. Most people can return to light activities soon after.

Expect about 3 to 6 monitoring appointments (which last no more than an hour) and one day for the retrieval.  Ideally, you'll want to align the cycle with a break in your medical school schedule– such as spring break, summer break, or otherwise– to ensure you have the flexibility you need for appointments.

The key is being proactive! Don't wait to start the conversation with a fertility clinic. The earlier you plan, the less stressful it will be. Since medical schools publish their calendar in advance, use one of the week-long breaks as a target for the egg retrieval. You can then work backwards from that date to start the cycle. 

Be your own advocate with your school's administration about needing some flexibility for medical appointments. If you work with Cofertility, we can help you map out the egg freezing schedule and find a cycle start date that works with your schedule. 

If you join our Split program, you will be assigned a Member Advocate who will take the extra steps to understand your busy schedule and help schedule appointments in the most convenient way possible. In some cases this means reaching out to the hospital(s) connected to your medical school program for availability to perform labs and ultrasounds.

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:

1. 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.
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 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.

Egg donation is a medical procedure where a woman donates her eggs to individuals or couples who are unable to have children using their own eggs. The egg donor undergoes a series of medical and psychological screenings and hormonal treatments to stimulate egg production. Once the eggs are mature, they are retrieved through a short surgical procedure done on an out-patient basis. The eggs are then fertilized with sperm (either from the intended father or sperm donor) and the resulting embryos are either transferred to the recipient's uterus (intended mother or gestational carrier) or frozen for later use. 

Many times donors have seen first hand their own friends or family struggling with infertility. Witnessing this creates a desire to help and motivates them to donate their eggs. This act of giving can be deeply fulfilling on a personal level knowing that they are creating family trees or relationships (parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, etc.) that might otherwise have never existed. 

Anonymity is often a primary question for potential donors as they may believe that anonymity to be a way to protect themselves from the emotional complexity that is egg donation. They may believe that by remaining anonymous they can avoid forming any type of relationship with the child or recipients thereby also potentially avoiding feelings of guilt, responsibility, or attachment. Or they may not want it to interfere with future relationships or their own family dynamics. While anonymity is no longer realistic, disclosed and undisclosed egg donation offers benefits and the chance for meaningful future connections.

Donor anonymity

The traditional concept of anonymous donation prioritizes privacy and confidentiality for donors, the intended parents, and any resulting children. In traditional anonymous donation, there is no exchange of identifying information between the egg donor and the intended parents. If there is contact, it is very limited and is facilitated by the fertility clinic or agency.

But in recent years, DNA testing services, like 23andMe, have had a profound impact on egg donor anonymity. The ability to uncover genetic connections through these tests undermines the anonymity promised in traditional egg donation arrangements. Even if donors and recipients agreed to anonymity, individuals who were conceived using donor eggs may take one of these tests and uncover genetic connections to relatives, including their egg donor.

In the past, when anonymity was promised in egg donation arrangements, it was often based on the understanding that the identities of both the donor and the recipient would remain confidential and undisclosed to each other. However, as mentioned above, with the increasing popularity of direct-to-consumer genetic testing services, maintaining complete anonymity in egg donation is basically impossible. If an egg donation agency or egg bank promises anonymity, be very weary. They are not able to guarantee it due to DNA testing.

There is an increasing trend towards greater openness in egg donation arrangements in many countries, with increasing recognition of the importance of providing donors and offspring with the option for contact. For example, the United Kingdom has a regulated system for egg donation overseen by the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA). Donors are required to provide non-identifying information that may be shared with offspring at the age of 18.

Disclosed and undisclosed donation

At Cofertility, we offer donors and the families they match with two general types of relationships.

In a disclosed relationship, the egg donor and recipient exchange contact information and can communicate directly. So, both the donor and the recipients are aware of each other's identities. The scope and degree of communication (both during and post-match) is what both parties make of it. This can range from occasional updates to ongoing relationships and involvement in each other's lives.

In an undisclosed relationship, identifying information is not exchanged and communication is facilitated through Cofertility. With an undisclosed donation, the donor and the family can choose to allow the donor-conceived child to receive the donor’s contact information when they turn a certain age (usually 18). This is called Open ID, an increasingly popular option.

Benefits of non-anonymous donation

Non-anonymous donation offers a more personalized approach. It provides donors and intended parents the opportunity to establish meaningful relationships and make informed choices based on mutual understanding and respect. This openness can offer opportunities for building positive relationships and can enable donors and intended parents to provide emotional support to one another throughout the donation process. This support network can be valuable in navigating the emotional complexities and challenges associated with egg donation. 

Considerations for potential egg donors

The level of desired openness in egg donation is a personal choice and can vary significantly from individual to individual.  Some individuals may prioritize transparency and openness in all aspects of their lives, including reproductive choices, while others may prefer privacy and discretion. Some may feel comfortable with potential future contact whereas others do not. Both are completely acceptable.  

Summing it up

The concept of egg donor anonymity has evolved over time, with increasing recognition about the benefits of disclosure in egg donation. Initially, anonymity was commonly practiced to protect the privacy of all involved. However, as attitudes towards third party reproduction in general have shifted and advancements in technology have made maintaining anonymity difficult, there has been a growing trend towards disclosure and openness in egg donation. Every donor needs to prioritize their own comfort and values while understanding the positive possibilities of connection. It's essential for individuals considering egg donation to be aware of the potential risks and limitations regarding anonymity and to carefully consider the implications before proceeding with the donation process.

Read more:

• Disclosed vs Undisclosed Egg Donation: How Do I Choose?
• Decoding the Lexicon of Egg Donation: A Guide for Donors on the Continuum of Disclosure
• The Ultimate Guide to Egg Donation

Thanks to advancement in reproductive technology, egg freezing can offer women the opportunity to preserve their fertility while they focus on other aspects of their lives. But what if they have pursued their education, advanced in their careers, and are happily settled with their forever person, when life takes a left turn? Significant life changes such as divorce may also prompt women to consider egg freezing as a way to preserve their fertility for future family-building purposes. This option may allow them the time needed to heal without feeling pressured to rush into finding a new partner and give them the space to make informed decisions about their future.

The emotional impact of divorce

Divorce or a breakup can be an incredibly challenging and emotionally taxing life event. The end of a relationship can bring about feelings of loss, grief, loneliness, and uncertainty. Divorce can impact various aspects of one's life, including future plans— plans that may have included children. A divorce or breakup can raise concerns about future fertility issues, especially for women over the age of 35. 

How egg freezing works, and how much it costs

The process of egg freezing typically begins with ovarian stimulation where the woman undergoes hormonal treatments to stimulate the ovaries. The goal is to produce multiple eggs in one cycle as typically only one egg is produced in a cycle. Once the eggs have reached maturity, they are retrieved via an out-patient procedure where a thin needle is inserted into each follicle, and the eggs are retrieved. Once retrieved, the eggs are cryopreserved using vitrification, a rapid cooling technique. The frozen eggs are then stored in cryogenic tanks until they are ready to be used.

There are a few factors that determine success rates. By success rates we are referring to a live birth outcome using the frozen eggs. Generally, women under 35 have better outcomes and the more eggs retrieved, the higher the likelihood of success. A recent study found that irrespective of age at freezing, a significantly high live birth rate was achieved when the number of eggs frozen per patient was 15 or more. 

The process of freezing eggs can cost anywhere from $10,000 to $20,000 and above. Costs include things like the initial consultation and testing, ovarian stimulation and egg retrieval, the egg freezing procedure, medication, and storage fees. Once the eggs are ready to be used, there are costs involved for thawing and then fertilizing to create embryos. After that there are fees for embryo testing and the transfer. If a sperm donor is used, there are various costs involved with that as well.

Learn more about our Split program, where qualified women can freeze their eggs for free when donating half to a family that couldn’t otherwise conceive. 

Navigating the decision-making process

Egg freezing allows women to take control of their fertility and help them make informed decisions about their reproductive future, with or without a partner.  However, there is still some concern about whether those who choose this option will regret their decision, especially given the costs involved. This article looks at several studies that explore this idea of regret. Overall, it was surmised that the only regret most had was they wished they had done it sooner.

Deciding to freeze eggs after a breakup or divorce can be a complex and personal decision. So it is important to feel and process emotions, seek support when needed, and make decisions that feel right for you and your future goals. It is understandable that following a breakup or divorce, there may be uncertainty about future relationships. So the decision to freeze eggs may involve deciding how to move forward with one's fertility independent of a partner. 

It’s also normal to have mixed feelings about the decision to freeze eggs, including relief at having a plan in place for the future but also sadness about the circumstances that led to the decision, and anxiety about the unknowns ahead. So it is very important to find healthy ways to manage stress and anxiety during this time. Which includes self-care, self-compassion, and leaning on support systems.

As important as it is to plan for the future, it is also important to keep in mind that plans always evolve over time. So I encourage you to remain flexible. Be prepared to adjust plans as  circumstances change. For example, at what point will you consider a sperm donor? If you find a new partner will you use frozen eggs or will you try to get pregnant on your own? If you do  get pregnant without using the frozen eggs,  what happens to the frozen eggs? Do they remain stored for a certain period of time? Are they donated? Or are they disposed?

Summing it up

Divorce or a break up brings about significant life changes, including changes in family planning. Freezing eggs provides a way to preserve fertility options for the future, allowing individuals to take time to decide on family planning when they're ready, whether it's with a future partner or as a single parent. It also allows individuals to focus on their emotional healing without feeling rushed into making decisions. By offering a way to preserve fertility and extend the window for family planning, egg freezing has become a valuable option for women navigating life changes.

Read more

• Amanda Goetz on Egg Freezing After Divorce
• We Asked Four Women: Did You Freeze Eggs or Embryos?
• A Breakdown of Egg Freezing Success Rates by Age

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:

1. 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.
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 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.

At Cofertility, we’re big believers in destigmatizing mental health conditions — whether it’s depression, anxiety, ADHD, substance abuse, or anything else. If you’re treating or working through a mental health condition, we support you and your strength, and we know that recognizing a mental health condition can actually be pretty empowering.  But if you are thinking about donating your eggs, there are a few considerations you should take into account before starting the process. Read on for everything you need to know about egg donation if you have a mental health condition.  

Do antidepressants or anti-anxiety medications impact cycle outcomes? 

If you’re currently on medication for depression or anxiety, the short answer is — most likely — no. Most commonly used SSRI antidepressants and anti-anxiety medications (benzodiazepines) have not been shown to have clear long-term effects upon egg freezing cycles. That includes both egg quantity and quality, as well as hormone levels and the ability to ovulate. There is concern that the use of SSRIs and other antidepressants during fertility treatments could interfere with the effectiveness of hormonal medications used in treatments, potentially by altering the body's response to these hormones or affecting hormone levels directly. This interaction could theoretically exacerbate symptoms of depression due to the added stress of fertility treatments and the hormonal fluctuations they cause

If you’re planning on freezing your eggs — regardless of whether you’re also donating any — you’ll need to provide your doctor’s office with your current medications. As for official guidance, the CDC and the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) consider antidepressant usage safe during fertility treatments. That said, you can never be too proactive, so we definitely recommend bringing this question up with your doctor and discussing your medication, specifically.

When it comes to egg donation, however, things get a little bit more complicated. The ASRM (yes, the same organization that stated antidepressants are safe to take during fertility treatments) considers the current use of SSRIs or other antidepressants a “relative exclusion criteria”' for egg donation. So, not an automatic disqualification, but something that should be reviewed by the doctor on a case-by-case basis. All clinics may view this guidance differently, and different intended parents may feel differently about the issue. Again, we recommend discussing your usage of these medications with your fertility clinic and your psychiatrist. Two people may take the same medication for very different reasons, and context is important here.

Cofertility’s eligibility decisions are rooted in adherence to ASRM guidelines, which fertility clinics follow within comprehensive screenings. Many clinics may have their own eligibility policies on top of the guidelines dictated by ASRM – we ultimately defer to the discretion of the clinic and overseeing physician.

Risks of inheritability — and what they mean for your cycle

Even though the usage of SSRIs or antidepressants may not impact your egg freezing cycle outcome or automatically disqualify you from egg donation, it’s still important to understand the inheritability risk of your mental health condition to potential future offspring. When you are undergoing medical screening for egg donation in a specific match, it involves more than just meeting the general requirements for egg donation. This process also includes eligibility to donate for a particular family. Since sperm contributes the other half of the genetic material in an embryo, it is essential to evaluate the genetic carrier status of both you, the egg donor, and the sperm provider collectively.

Depending on your condition, your reproductive endocrinologist (REI, otherwise known as your fertility doctor) may ask your psychiatrist if you are able to safely go off of your medication if needed. And during your psychological evaluation, the psychiatrist will want to verify that you aren’t under excessive stress or experiencing any instability when providing consent. 

If, based on your condition and psychiatric history, you are still cleared for egg donation, it’s likely that you will be matched with intended parents who don’t maintain a shared history of your condition or related ones. This will be discussed with a genetic counselor as part of the process to mitigate risk of inheritability to future offspring as a result of your egg donation. 

What criteria is required for egg donation? 

In order to mitigate the risk of inheritability of mental health issues to offspring, the ASRM has the following criteria in place that would deem someone ineligible to donate:

• Presence of significant psychopathology 
• Positive family history of psychiatric disorders 
• Current use of psychoactive medication 
• Substance use disorders 
• Two or more first-degree relatives with substance use disorders 
• History of emotional, sexual, or physical abuse without professional treatment 
• Excessive stress 
• Relationship instability 
• Inadequate cognitive functioning to support informed consent 
• High-risk sexual practices 
• Risks/concerns for the donor for future contact with donor-conceived offspring

Each of these factors would be evaluated as part of your initial egg donation application and/or your psychological screening later in the process. 

What’s the rationale for psychological screening for egg donation? 

As part of the egg donation application process, mental health screening checkpoints exist at two key points: 

• The initial (written) application, including a detailed medical history screening, as some conditions are more heritable than others
• The psychological evaluation that takes place once you’ve already passed bloodwork and physical evaluation portions of the process

These screenings take place for several reasons, but the two primary ones are egg donation preparedness and reducing inheritable risks of the mental health conditions to any resulting offspring. 

Preparedness for egg donation

Egg donation isn’t *not* a big deal. You’re helping grow another family who otherwise can’t conceive — and, if you’re donating your eggs through Cofertility’s Split program, you’re also freezing half of the eggs retrieved for your own fertility future. This process is definitely manageable (and actually, empowering?), but someone should only go through with it if they are truly one-hundred-and-fifty-percent ready. 

There are many emotional implications involved with egg donation, both for you and the intended parents. Implications like, what degree of communication with intended parents or any future offspring are you comfortable with, if any? We review every single Split program application to ensure that every member feels not only prepared, but excited, about the prospect of matching with another family and donating half of their retrieved eggs. 

Reducing inheritable risks to offspring

The second, more clinical reason for psychological screening is ultimately to reduce the risk of any potential future offspring inheriting any serious mental health issues. We (and maybe you, if you’re reading this) know first-hand the struggles mental health conditions can bring, not only to the affected individual but also their loved ones. Depending on the severity of the conditions, it’s important to get ahead of any potential risks to families that may be created as a result of egg donation. 

The net-net

Ultimately, if you have a mental health condition, your likelihood of getting approved for egg donation is totally case-by-case. It depends on the specific condition, the severity, medication (if applicable), possible input from your psychologist/psychiatrist, and the evaluation of your readiness for donation. Checks and balances and standardizations within the process exist to ensure you (a) feel great about consenting to the procedure, and (b) that there is not a high risk of passing along a severe condition to potential offspring. 

Egg donation with Cofertility

If you’re curious to learn more about egg donation through Cofertility, take our quiz here to see if you may qualify for our Split program. Through Split, donors are supported throughout the process and get to keep half of the eggs retrieved for their own future use. 

With our innovative approach, you’ll also get:

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

We hope to support you on your egg freezing and donation journey!