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When Is the Best Time to Freeze Your Eggs?

Fertility isn’t just about if you can have children; it’s also about when. As more women take proactive steps to preserve their fertility, a common question arises: when is the best time to freeze your eggs?

While there’s no single “right” age for everyone, understanding how fertility changes over time can help you make an informed decision that feels right for your goals, values, and life circumstances.

Understanding Fertility and Age

Women are born with all the eggs they’ll ever have — typically around one to two million. By puberty, that number decreases to about 300,000–400,000, and continues to decline with age.
Two key factors impact fertility:

• Egg quantity (how many eggs remain)
• Egg quality (the likelihood an egg will result in a healthy pregnancy)

Both tend to decline gradually in the early 30s and more sharply after age 35. This is why egg freezing is often recommended before that decline becomes significant.

The Ideal Time to Freeze Eggs

From a biological standpoint, the best time to freeze your eggs is generally in your late 20s to early 30s, when both quantity and quality are still strong.
That said, fertility preservation is not one-size-fits-all. Many people successfully freeze eggs in their mid-to-late 30s — and the decision often depends on personal, financial, and medical factors.
When considering timing, ask yourself:

• Do I want to keep my family-building options open for the future?
• Am I ready to invest in my fertility now, even if I don’t plan to use the eggs for several years?
• Have I discussed my ovarian reserve or AMH levelspacificfertility.ca/blog/understanding-anti-mullerian-hormone-amh-and-its-role-in-fertility with my physician?

A simple referral to a fertility specialist can help you get answers to these questions and understand your current fertility picture.

How Egg Freezing Works

If you decide to explore egg freezing, your fertility specialist will guide you through the process, which involves:

1. Consultation and testing: Bloodwork and ultrasound to assess your ovarian reserve.
2. Ovarian stimulation: Fertility medications encourage the ovaries to produce multiple mature eggs.
3. Egg retrieval: A minor procedure under sedation to collect eggs from the ovaries.
4. Freezing (vitrification): The eggs are rapidly frozen and stored safely for future use.

The entire process typically takes two to three weeks and is managed by a team of experienced reproductive specialists, nurses, and embryologists.

Factors to Consider Before Freezing

Every individual’s situation is different. Some factors to keep in mind include:

• Age and ovarian reserve: Younger eggs typically have higher potential.
• Health conditions: Certain treatments (like chemotherapy) can affect fertility.
• Lifestyle and timing: Work, travel, and family goals may influence when to start.
• Emotional readiness: It’s important to feel supported and informed before beginning the process.
• Repeat cycles may be necessary: About 80% of eggs will be available for fertilization once thawed, so a repeat cycle may be required.

If you’re unsure where to begin, talking to your family doctor about a referral to a fertility specialist is a great first step. They can help you connect with a reproductive specialist for testing and guidance.

Why Egg Freezing Offers Peace of Mind

Egg freezing doesn’t guarantee a future pregnancy, but it can offer comfort and confidence in knowing that you’ve taken an active role in protecting your fertility. Many women describe it as an empowering decision, one that allows them to focus on the present, knowing they’ve given themselves an option for later.

At PCRM, we support patients at every stage of their fertility journey with expert care, advanced technology, and compassionate guidance. Whether you’re in your 20s, 30s, or beyond, we’re here to help you understand your options and make a plan that fits your life.

Considering Egg Freezing?

If you’re curious about your fertility health or wondering if now is the right time to freeze your eggs, talk to your family doctor about a referral to PCRM. Our specialists can provide personalized insights, answer your questions, and help you feel confident in your next steps.

Your future fertility is worth exploring, and a simple conversation is the best place to start.

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