US Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez has announced that she is undergoing egg freezing to “feel more in control of her life.” The 36-year-old indicated on social media that she has been saving for the process but has not disclosed plans about having children, reports BritPanorama.
Egg freezing, officially known as oocyte preservation, is a medical procedure designed to extend a woman’s childbearing years. It involves extracting eggs from the ovaries and preserving them until the woman decides to become pregnant.
The elective freezing of eggs has surged in popularity over recent years, influenced by improvements in the technique and a growing number of women delaying pregnancy. Ocasio-Cortez joins other public figures, including Kourtney Kardashian, Rebel Wilson, and Florence Pugh, in sharing her experiences with egg freezing.
When to freeze
The optimal time for egg freezing is in a woman’s twenties or early thirties, when egg viability is typically greater. “The answer is typically, the younger the better,” said Dr. Pardis Hosseinzadeh, assistant professor of gynecology and obstetrics at Johns Hopkins Medicine. “Women who do this procedure before the age of 35 typically have better outcomes in terms of the quality and quantity of the eggs that are retrieved,” she explained, noting that both the quantity and quality of eggs decline with age.
Unlike men who generate sperm continuously, women are born with a finite number of eggs, which diminish over time. A female infant has about one million to two million eggs, but that number decreases by approximately 10,000 monthly prior to puberty and by about 1,000 monthly thereafter.
What happens with egg freezing
For women considering this option, the process begins with a physical evaluation to ascertain candidacy. This involves reviewing medical history, blood tests, and a transvaginal ultrasound to assess egg reserves. Individuals with low egg counts or specific medical issues may not qualify.
If deemed suitable, the physician will prescribe hormones tailored to age and egg reserve, which the patient self-administers for up to two weeks to stimulate the ovaries. Hormones such as follicle-stimulating drugs facilitate egg development by prompting ovarian follicles, where eggs mature, to grow. Regular monitoring through blood tests and ultrasounds communicates when eggs are ready for retrieval.
Once mature, an outpatient procedure retrieves the eggs, typically under general anesthesia. The entire process lasts about 30 minutes, with many women able to return to work the next day. An embryologist subsequently examines the eggs for maturity before subjecting them to vitrification, blasting them into a frozen state for future use.
The cost of egg freezing
Egg freezing can be expensive and varies considerably in price, often amounting to between $10,000 and $15,000, according to Dr. Jen Eaton, president of the Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology. Many companies, including Meta and Apple, have included egg freezing in their employee benefits, but most insurance plans do not cover it without a medical reason, such as cancer. In a 2024 survey, only about 21% of employee benefit plans covered elective egg freezing.
Additionally, storage fees for frozen eggs can reach approximately $1,000 annually, not including the potential costs of IVF treatment if women later opt to use their eggs.
Why freeze eggs
Elective egg freezing provides women with greater flexibility regarding their reproductive health. Many women choose this option to pursue education, achieve financial stability, or advance in their careers prior to starting a family. “They might not have immediate plans for fertility but harbor a strong desire to become mothers,” Dr. Hosseinzadeh noted, emphasizing the pressure women face to balance such decisions alongside their professional and personal lives.
The past decade has witnessed a considerable increase in egg freezing rates; in 2024, more than 39,000 egg retrievals or freezing cycles took place in the United States, a significant rise from just over 6,000 cycles in 2014.
This rise could be attributed to changing social norms, with many women now delaying childbirth until after 35 years old. The overall landscape of parenthood is shifting, prompting many to consider the logistical implications of their reproductive options.
As living circumstances evolve, women maintain a strong inclination towards understanding and managing their fertility. Egg freezing emerges as a pragmatic solution, reflecting broader societal trends in gender equality, reproductive rights, and personal choice.
