For many of us women, making decisions about starting a family can feel like standing at a crossroads. There are times when the idea of motherhood doesn't quite fit with where we are in life, yet we don't want to close the door on it completely for the future.
This is particularly challenging in a society like Singapore's, where there is a significant emphasis on traditional milestones like marriage and homeownership before having children, and lingering expectations that women should be the primary provider of child care. Amidst all this, some of us are still figuring out whether we want children at all, wishing to retain the ability to decide differently as our lives unfold.
In this evolving landscape of family planning, more women are considering egg freezing as a proactive measure. In this article, we'll explore the optimal time to consider egg freezing and why it's an increasingly popular choice among women in their late 20s and early 30s.
If you're in your late 20s or 30s, the idea of egg freezing might be worth serious consideration. Research suggests that women in their 20s and early 30s typically have a higher ovarian reserve, resulting in more and better-quality eggs. This advantage not only increases the chances of successful freezing but can also save money, time, and effort on multiple cycles that may be needed in later years.
As women age, a larger percentage of our eggs become chromosomally abnormal. This reality prompts the recommendation to freeze a higher number of eggs as one gets older to improve the chances of having a baby from frozen eggs. Based on clinical studies, in their early 30s, women are recommended to freeze 10-15 eggs for a 70-80% chance of having a baby. At age 39, a woman is recommended to freeze 25-30 eggs to have similar odds. (Note: Every individual is unique and chances of live birth can look very different from one person to another).
As the same time as a growing portion of the eggs are chromosomally abnormal, a woman's egg reserves also drop as she grows older. A woman’s egg reserves deplete at around 1000 eggs each month after puberty (typically, 1 egg gets released through ovulation while the other eggs die by natural cell death).
The number of eggs that can be frozen is closely tied to egg reserves—more eggs remaining in the ovaries mean a higher chance of freezing more eggs. This means that as a woman grows older, it becomes harder for her to freeze a good number of eggs. Paradoxically, she would need to freeze more eggs then for the same chances of having a baby in future.
With these considerations, at Taylor, we advocate for the late 20s and early 30s as the sweet spot for considering egg freezing. As discussed above, a woman's fertility begins to decline more quickly at age 35, making it a crucial time to preserve reproductive options in that window of time. There are cost savings to freezing your eggs early, as you would need fewer egg freezing cycles to achieve the same (or better) chances of having a baby in future.
Considering the future is an essential aspect of family planning, and it can be difficult to plan when there is a chance that one will find a partner and settle down in the next couple of years. Many women may only think about their first child, but planning for a second child is equally important. Some individuals who had no issues conceiving their first child may face challenges when trying for a second. This is what is termed secondary infertility, and accounts for 50% of infertility cases. To keep options open for a child in the late 30s, freezing eggs in the late 20s or early 30s could be a strategic move.
The decision to freeze our eggs is a delicate balance of age-related fertility factors, financial considerations, and the desire for future family planning. Understanding the nuances of egg freezing and making an informed decision at the right age can empower women to take charge of their reproductive futures. As advancements in fertility preservation continue, more women are finding a sense of security and flexibility in making proactive choices about their fertility.
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A guide to common egg freezing mistakes and how to avoid them. Having walked this path myself and guided numerous others through it, I've gained valuable insights into the common pitfalls and crucial decisions that shape the egg freezing experience.
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As we journey through life, our perspective on our reproductive health can evolve from not actively considering it to realizing that it's something we can't take for granted. This awareness underscores the significance of fertility testing. At its core, ovarian reserve, a concept as simple as keeping track of the eggs in your ovaries, becomes an important aspect to consider.
Women with PCOS experience a hormonal imbalance that prevents the release of an egg from the ovaries each month. A metabolic disease, PCOS is one of the most common causes of infertility. In the following article, we will explore the complexities of PCOS, including its diagnosis, symptoms, potential implications on fertility, and the available treatments.
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