The improvement of egg-freezing techniques and the postponement of motherhood in our country and across Europe in recent years have led to a significant increase in egg vitrification treatments. There is no strict age limit for freezing eggs, but it is important to keep in mind that egg quality declines with age.
Women want to be able to decide when to become mothers so they can manage their personal lives and careers on their own timelines.
Today, vitrification makes this possible — but, of course, not every case is the same, and proper counseling before vitrification is essential.
Up to What Age Can You Freeze Your Eggs? Is There a Limit?
The ideal age would be between 20 and 30 years. In reality, however, it is uncommon for women at that age to consider preservation. In any case, the “ideal age limit” for egg vitrification is under 35 years.
In this age range, in healthy women with a normal ovarian reserve, it is usually possible to obtain an adequate number of vitrified eggs in a single ovarian stimulation cycle.
Quality is the key factor when using those eggs in the future, and in women under 35 we assume that egg quality will be good.
Can I Freeze My Eggs After Age 35?
In our consultations, the most common age at which women consider egg preservation is around 38–39 years.
It is important for patients to understand that the procedure can still be performed at this age, but the quality of the eggs is likely to be more affected. For this reason, we recommend vitrifying a larger number of eggs to increase the chances of obtaining at least one healthy embryo suitable for transfer in the future.
Our Experience at Fertility Madrid
Based on data from our clinic over recent years, a woman under the age of 35 needs at least five eggs to have a good chance of obtaining a healthy embryo in the future.
By contrast, a 40-year-old woman may need around 12 eggs to achieve one healthy embryo, since at age 40 the rate of genetically abnormal embryos can be as high as 80%.
When considering an egg vitrification treatment, it is essential to understand expectations according to each woman’s individual situation.
This depends on both age and ovarian reserve. A thorough assessment by a fertility specialist is important in order to plan the treatment and evaluate the chances realistically in every case.
At Fertility Madrid we encourage all women who are thinking about postponing motherhood to get informed about the egg-freezing procedure and undergo an appropriate gynecological evaluation. Here you can watch the video testimonial of a patient who decided to preserve her fertility with us.
Do You Want to Preserve Your Fertility? We’ll Inform You
Egg freezing is a personal decision, but it can be an important option for women who want the possibility of becoming mothers in the future. If you’re considering it, at Fertility Madrid we’ll be happy to explain the procedure and the treatment options available in each case. It’s important to individualize every case in order to provide each woman with the most appropriate medication and achieve the best possible results.
