Introduction: Why I chose to freeze my eggs at 36
When I told my family I planned to freeze my eggs, the conversation quickly moved from medical odds to practical life questions. I was 36, single, and increasingly aware of how timing can shape fertility. Egg freezing offered a potential bridge between career, travel, and the hope of future motherhood. Here’s what I wish I’d known before I began, in plain terms and real-life detail.
How the process actually works
Egg freezing isn’t a one-and-done moment. It starts with a consultation, then hormone stimulation to produce multiple eggs in one cycle, followed by a procedure to retrieve and freeze them. For many, this means several weeks of injections, monitoring scans, and a surgical retrieval under sedation. The idea is to harvest mature eggs when fertility is relatively high and store them for later use with IVF. At 36, I was told mature eggs are still reasonably viable, but the odds aren’t as favorable as in your early 30s.
Important timelines to expect
Most clinics plan for a couple of cycles to bank a meaningful number of eggs. Realistically, you may need two to three cycles to accumulate a solid reserve. Each cycle has its own hormonal side effects, time off work for monitoring, and the emotional cycle that accompanies any fertility treatment.
Costs and what they actually cover
Costs vary widely across the UK, but a typical egg-freezing package includes initial assessment, stimulation medication, egg retrieval, and annual storage fees. Add-ons like future IVF treatment with thawed eggs or genetic testing will increase the total. For many, the price tag tops several thousand pounds upfront, plus ongoing yearly storage fees. I wish I’d known to budget for medication costs and the possibility of hidden extras, so I wasn’t surprised when the bill added up.
Success rates: what egg quality at 36 means
Egg quality declines with age, and while freezing can preserve younger eggs, it doesn’t guarantee a baby later. At 36, the chance of a successful pregnancy per thawed embryo is lower than someone who froze eggs at 30, but it’s not a lost cause. The key takeaway is to set realistic expectations with your clinician: how many eggs are banked, how they’re tested, and what your chances might look like with the number you’ve saved.
Medical risks and considerations
Hormone stimulation comes with side effects—mood swings, bloating, headaches, and, in rare cases, more serious ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome. There’s also the surgical risk of egg retrieval. Understanding these risks ahead of time helps you prepare, and discussing your medical history with a fertility specialist ensures you’re making an informed decision for your health.
Emotional and logistical realities
Freezing eggs is as much an emotional investment as a medical one. It can provoke anxiety about future parenthood, questions about timing, and the possibility that you might never use the eggs. Logistically, you’ll need a plan for where the eggs are stored (and for how long) and what you’d do if life takes a different path than planned. I wish I’d given myself the space to explore these scenarios with a counselor or a trusted friend before starting.
What I’d do differently next time
If I could rewind, I’d ask more about the number of eggs typically needed for a reasonable chance of a future pregnancy, the impact of BMI or lifestyle on outcomes, and the probability of needing donor eggs later. I’d also negotiate clearer quotes about storage costs and what happens if I pause treatment for a year or two. The aim is to avoid financial surprise and build a plan that aligns with my long-term family goals.
Practical takeaways for anyone considering egg freezing
- Consult early and gather multiple clinic opinions to compare protocols and costs.
- Ask for a realistic forecast: how many eggs to bank, what success looks like by age of thaw, and what the plan is if you want to attempt a live birth.
- Budget for medications, monitoring visits, retrieval, and ongoing storage fees.
- Consider counseling or support groups to process the emotional journey.
Final thoughts
Freezing eggs at 36 can be a prudent choice for many, offering options and autonomy over fertility. But it’s not a guaranteed solution, and the financial and emotional commitments are real. By going into the process with clear questions, a solid budget, and grounded expectations, you can make a decision that best serves your life plan and future family goals.
