Elective Egg Freezing for Non-Medical Reasons (Scientific Impact Paper No. 63, 2026 Second Edition)

The average age of childbirth in the UK in 2022 was 30.9 years, having increased by over 3 years in the past 2 decades, and 4 years since 1980. Although a woman's fertility declines markedly in her late-30s and early-40s, more women are now starting their family at this stage of their lives. Related to this, increasing numbers of women are storing their eggs (oocytes) to give them the potential opportunity to have a baby in the future. The number of egg freezing cycles accounts for 5% of in vitro fertilisation (IVF) cycles but the number of cycles using stored eggs is much lower. The use of a technique of rapid freezing called vitrification gives success rates almost as good as using fresh eggs. The reasons behind the increase in egg freezing are complex, but the most common reason given by women storing eggs is that they do not have a partner and are concerned that by the time they do find themselves in a relationship within which they wish to start a family, they may not be able to do so. This paper addresses the growing use of egg freezing and how it may have been promoted. It is essential that women are very clearly informed about the likely success rates of egg freezing, particularly as it is primarily provided by the private sector, with the associated concerns of financial costs and inappropriate or inaccurate marketing. Its success is strongly dependent on the age of the woman at the time of freezing her eggs, with much higher success rates in those under the age of 35 years. The relevant legislation changed in 2022 and now allows women to store eggs for 55 years, although consent for this needs to be renewed every 10 years. This now supports the better success rates when women store eggs at a younger age. We conclude that elective egg freezing provides women with an opportunity to act on the age-related drop in their fertility. At present, most women who are doing this are already in their later 30s when the success rates are limited. We strongly support the need for improved and continuing education of both women and men regarding the decline in female fertility with age.