Trending Rise in Women Freezing Eggs Despite Low Return Rates

A new study conducted by UCLA Health reveals a significant increase in the number of women opting to freeze their eggs in recent years. However, it also uncovers a concerning trend: a relatively low proportion of these women return to use their stored eggs for conception. The research analyzed data from 2014 to 2021 and found that planned elective egg freezing cycles nearly quadrupled, rising from 4,153 to 16,436. Despite this surge, only about 5.7% of women who froze their eggs between 2014 and 2016 proceeded to utilize them within a follow-up period of 5 to 7 years.

The study, published in the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, highlights important age-related patterns. Women are increasingly choosing to freeze their eggs at younger ages, with the average age decreasing from 36.0 years in 2014 to 34.9 years in 2021. The data also shows that women who froze eggs between ages 38 and 42 had slightly higher return rates, with approximately 8% returning to use their eggs.

According to Dr. Lindsay Kroener from UCLA, this shift in reproductive behavior reflects broader societal trends where women delay childbearing to pursue education and careers. She emphasizes that egg freezing is a powerful option for reproductive autonomy, especially with technological advances improving success rates. Interestingly, the success rates for live births using frozen eggs are comparable to those from fresh eggs, providing reassurance that the process can offer a viable path to parenthood.

Researchers utilized the SART-CORS database, which covers over 90% of assisted reproductive procedures in the U.S., to track these trends. Despite the positive outlook, the low utilization rate of frozen eggs prompts further investigation, which might be explained by the relatively short follow-up period for younger women. Longer-term studies are necessary to determine if more young patients ultimately return to use their eggs.

Overall, this research underscores the importance of understanding reproductive choices and success rates associated with egg freezing, helping women make informed decisions about their fertility options.