Social freezing has surged by 60% globally, offering women flexibility in family planning. Learn about the benefits, risks, and key facts on egg freezing.

Social freezing, or elective egg freezing, has become increasingly popular among women who wish to delay childbirth for personal or professional reasons.

Remarkably, the practice has seen a 60% increase globally over the past decade, highlighting its growing acceptance.

Social freezing offers valuable flexibility in family planning, allowing women to make more informed decisions about when to have children.

Medical Contributors to this Article


Expert 2
Dr. med. Dirk Wallmeier
Chief Medical Officer
As Chief Medical Officer, Dirk brings his profound expertise in reproductive medicine and gynaecological endocrinology to the forefront of patient care.

Key social freezing statistics

  • Approximately one in four women undergoing IVF now opt for egg freezing for non-medical reasons.²
  • The average cost of a single cycle of egg freezing in the U.S. ranges from $6,000 to $15,000.⁵
  • Women who freeze their eggs report a 75% higher sense of control over their reproductive future.⁹
  • The emotional and psychological effects of undergoing egg freezing can be significant, impacting some women’s mental health.¹⁹
  • The accessibility of egg freezing has improved with advancements in technology and decreased costs over recent years.¹⁵

A global overview of social freezing

Social freezing involves the cryopreservation of a woman’s eggs to delay pregnancy until later. This option mainly benefits those who want to focus on their careers or personal development before starting a family.

  • The number of egg-freezing procedures in the U.S. has risen by 20% annually over the past five years.¹
  • About 60% of women who freeze their eggs are between 30 and 35.³
  • The success rate for achieving a live birth using frozen eggs is approximately 20-30% per cycle.⁴

Worldwide Social Freezing Statistics

Dr Emma Wilson, a leading fertility specialist, states,

"Social freezing is a powerful tool for women wanting to delay motherhood but it’s crucial to understand the procedure’s limitations and success rates."

  • In Europe, social freezing procedures have increased by 20% in the last decade.⁶
  • Around 30% of women who freeze their eggs eventually use them for conception.⁷
  • The probability of having a live birth from frozen eggs decreases significantly for women over 40.⁸
  • Women who freeze their eggs report a 75% higher sense of control over their reproductive future.⁹
  • The average age of women opting for social freezing has increased to about 34.¹⁰
This is interesting, considering that fertility decreases with age.

These statistics paint a picture of empowered women navigating the complexities of modern life, balancing career aspirations with family planning in a way that aligns with their personal goals.

What benefits does social freezing offer women

Social freezing provides several advantages, including the ability to delay pregnancy until a more convenient time and the opportunity to focus on personal or career goals without the immediate pressure of starting a family.

  • Social freezing allows women to delay childbirth until they feel ready, without the constraints of their biological clock.¹¹
  • Women who freeze their eggs often report being able to pursue career advancements and personal goals more freely.¹²
  • Egg freezing offers women greater control over their reproductive choices and timing.¹³
  • Eggs frozen at a younger age generally have better success rates for future use.¹⁴
  • The accessibility of egg freezing has improved with advancements in technology and decreased costs over recent years.¹⁵
The Benefits of Social Freezing


The benefits of social freezing include enhanced reproductive control and the ability to align family planning with personal and career aspirations, making it a valuable option for many women.

How to determine the risks of social freezing

While social freezing offers several benefits, it also comes with potential risks and considerations, including the procedure's health implications, financial costs, and varying success rates based on age.

  • The egg-freezing process involves hormonal treatments that can have side effects and risks.¹⁶
  • The emotional and psychological effects of undergoing egg freezing can be significant, impacting some women’s mental health.¹⁹
  • There are ongoing debates about the ethical implications and regulations surrounding egg freezing.15

Understanding the risks and considerations of social freezing is essential for making an informed decision.

Consulting with medical professionals can provide insight into these factors and help manage expectations.

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Social freezing

Dr James Lee, a reproductive endocrinologist, adds, "While egg freezing can be beneficial, managing expectations and understanding individual factors is key to making the best decision."

If you’re interested in social freezing, book a free consultation with us and see how we can help.

Frequently asked questions

What is social freezing?

Social freezing is the process of freezing a woman's eggs for non-medical reasons, such as delaying pregnancy for personal or career-related goals. The eggs are preserved through cryopreservation and can be used for future conception.20

Who should consider social freezing?

Women who want to delay childbirth due to career plans, personal growth, or the desire to wait for the right time to start a family can consider social freezing. It is most commonly recommended for women in their early to mid-30s when egg quality is still relatively high.21

How much does social freezing cost?

The average cost of social freezing in the U.S. ranges from $6,000 to $15,000 per cycle, depending on the clinic and location. Additional costs for egg storage and future procedures such as IVF may also apply.17 At Cada, a social freezing cycle including medication costs between CHF 5,000 and CHF 5,500.

How long can frozen eggs be stored?

Frozen eggs can be stored for many years without significant deterioration in quality. Most fertility clinics allow eggs to be stored for up to 10 years, but some countries may have regulations limiting storage time.18

What is the pregnancy success rate using frozen eggs?

The success rate of achieving a live birth using frozen eggs depends largely on the woman's age at the time of freezing. For women who freeze their eggs in their early 30s, the success rate is around 20-30% per cycle.4

Sources

  1. American Pregnancy Association
  2. ASRM - Fertility and Sterility
  3. CNN - Egg Freezing Trends
  4. Mayo Clinic - Egg Freezing
  5. NCBI - Cost and Efficacy of Egg Freezing
  6. The Guardian - Popularity of Egg Freezing
  7. WebMD - Egg Freezing Information
  8. BBC - Risks of Egg Freezing
  9. Human Fertilisation & Embryology Authority (HFEA)
  10. NHS - Egg Freezing
  11. Healthline
  12. Fertility Solutions SA
  13. Hope Fertility and Endometriosis Clinic
  14. Vardaan Medical Center
  15. National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI)
  16. IVF - Australia
  17. CNY Fertility
  18. HFEA
  19. Chelsea Fertility NYC
  20. Chelsea Fertility NYC
  21. The Good Trade
  22. The Good Trade