January 16, 2025
13 Egg Freezing Myths: What You’ve Heard vs. The Facts
Maggie Jones
Registered Nurse
7 Minute Read
Egg freezing has recently become a go-to means to preserve fertility. Sadly, myths and misconceptions can discourage people from exploring it as an option.
Our experts at Elsa Fertility want to help you understand the facts so you feel empowered to make informed decisions about your reproductive health. In this article, we debunk some of the most common myths surrounding egg freezing.
13 Egg Freezing Myths You Need to Know About
Can drinking during egg freezing lower your chances of a successful pregnancy? Can you have sex during egg freezing? Does the egg freezing procedure hurt? There are many questions surrounding this experience that are often clouded by faulty answers.
Learn the facts that can reassure you about your fertility journey through these egg freezing myths, demystified.
Myth #1: Egg freezing is only for women in their 30s and 40s
While many women choose to freeze their eggs in their late 30s or early 40s, there is no specific age limit for egg freezing. Freezing eggs in your 40s, while an option for some patients, is associated with a lower likelihood of success compared to patients in their 20s or 30s. In fact, the younger you are when you freeze your eggs, the better the chances of having healthy eggs for future use. Many individuals across a wide age range opt for egg freezing for various reasons, such as career aspirations, personal circumstances, or medical conditions.
Myth #2: Egg freezing guarantees a successful pregnancy
Although egg freezing increases your chances of conceiving later, it's not a guarantee. Several factors influence the success of pregnancy, including the quality and quantity of the frozen eggs, the age at which they were frozen, and your fertility health in general. It's essential to discuss these factors with your healthcare provider to help you keep your expectations realistic.
Myth #3: The egg freezing process is painful
Does egg freezing hurt? It may come as a surprise, but no. Many report that the process is actually more comfortable than they anticipated. While there may be some discomfort during the ovarian stimulation phase, the retrieval itself is usually performed under sedation or anesthesia. Post-procedure, you can expect some mild cramping or bloating. But these typically go away on their own. Most people are even able to return to their normal routines after a day or two.
Myth #4: Egg freezing is a new and experimental procedure
This is a common sentiment, but it’s completely false. Egg freezing is, in fact, well-established and widely practiced. And it has not been considered “experimental” since late 2012 — when the American Society for Reproductive Medicine announced that they would officially stop referring to the procedure as such.
Image courtesy of Dmitriy Ganin via Pexels
Myth #5: Frozen eggs are not as viable as fresh eggs
Advances in freezing techniques, particularly vitrification, have significantly improved the viability of frozen eggs. Studies have shown that frozen eggs can be just as effective as fresh eggs, which makes them a dependable option for individuals who want a wider time allowance for family planning. There may still be differences in success rates, but the quality of frozen eggs is generally comparable.
Myth #6: Egg freezing is only for women with health issues
Women with certain medical conditions like cancer or endometriosis may be encouraged to freeze their eggs. This allows them to conceive even after undergoing treatments that can potentially affect this ability. But egg freezing can benefit a wider range of individuals. It’s also a suitable, proactive choice for women with no health issues whatsoever who are looking to preserve their fertility for personal or professional reasons.
Myth #7: You can only freeze eggs once
There is no limit to the number of times you can undergo the egg freezing process. Many women choose to freeze eggs more than once, especially if they want to increase the number of viable eggs available for future use. Your healthcare provider can help you determine the best approach based on your specific situation.
Myth #8: Egg freezing is too expensive
While egg freezing can be costly, many clinics, including Elsa Fertility, offer flexible payment plans, financing options, or insurance coverage that may help offset some of the expenses. It's important to research and discuss financial options with your healthcare provider to find a solution that works for you.
Myth #9: Egg freezing is only for cisgender or heterosexual individuals
Many same-sex female couples rely on assisted reproductive technologies, such as in vitro fertilization, to conceive in the future using a sperm donor. Freezing eggs at a younger age may improve the chances of pregnancy for whoever wishes to carry the pregnancy. Transgender male patients may also benefit from egg freezing prior to starting gender-affirming procedures, since testosterone therapy can affect pregnancy health.
Image courtesy of Dmitriy Ganin via Pexels
Myth #10: Only one cycle of egg freezing is necessary for a future pregnancy
Your doctor may decide how many egg freezing cycles you’d need based on two factors:
Your ovarian reserve testing, which predicts how a patient will respond to ovarian stimulation
The number of children you want, since you may require more eggs to be cryopreserved if you want more than one pregnancy
Myth #11: Egg freezing will cause early menopause
Each month, the ovaries recruit multiple eggs to grow — but typically only one becomes a dominant egg released for a potential pregnancy. All the other eggs will regress and naturally die. During an egg freezing cycle, these unused eggs are also harnessed. Higher levels of the hormones are given to grow all the recruited eggs instead of just one. There is no evidence that this process results in a more rapid decline in a patient's egg supply, infertility, or early menopause.
Myth #12: You can't drink coffee during the process
Can you drink during egg freezing? This depends on your beverage of choice. Drinking coffee in moderation isn’t so detrimental. Still, experts suggest limiting how many cups you drink a day.
On the other hand, it may be best to hold off on alcoholic beverages until your procedure is done. Some health providers can be lenient with mild intake of alcohol, but there’s still a chance it can affect the quality of your eggs.
Image courtesy of Dmitriy Ganin via Pexels
Myth #13: Egg freezing requires skipping workouts or abstaining from sex
If you're keeping a physically active lifestyle, you may be wondering, “Can you exercise during egg freezing?” Exercise is not off-limits — yes, this includes sexual intercourse. Be mindful, though, of any potential risks associated with fertility medications. During this process, your ovaries may be enlarged or sensitive, so intense movements can put you at risk of ovarian torsion, in which the ovary twists on the tissues around it.
Learn the Facts About Egg Freezing, Straight from the Experts at Elsa Fertility
Egg freezing can be an empowering choice for those looking to preserve their fertility, but it's essential to separate fact from fiction. With these common egg-freezing myths debunked, you can have better control over your reproductive health.
Elsa Fertility’s team of experienced and highly qualified fertility professionals can guide you through the process and help create a personalized plan that brings you closer to your goals. Schedule a consultation today to explore your options.
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