Developed in collaboration with Dr Mathilde Bourdon, a fertility specialist from France
We’re often told that women have a ‘ticking clock’ when it comes to their fertility. Is this true?
The evidence shows that yes, this is true. Women’s fertility starts to decline gradually after the age of 30, with a steep decline after 35, as both the quantity and quality of our eggs decreases as we get older. And what this means is, if you want to have children after 30, and especially after 35, your chances of conceiving and having a healthy pregnancy are lower than if you tried to have children in your 20s.
So what can we do about it? One of the options for preserving your fertility is egg freezing, which is a process where your eggs are frozen at a younger age so they can be used later in life. For example, if you froze your eggs at the age of 30, and struggled to get pregnant a few years later, you would have a store of eggs that were ‘aged 30’ that you could use to try to get pregnant through IVF. Overall, egg freezing can help to increase your chances of having a healthy pregnancy in the future, but it’s important to know that it doesn’t guarantee pregnancy.
Many people choose to freeze their eggs for different reasons. Some women choose to focus on their career or education, or want more time to meet the right partner, or simply want to reduce the pressure and give themselves more time and options. Whatever your reason, it’s a very personal decision.
The decision tree below is designed to help you start thinking about whether egg freezing might be right for you. It’s not medical advice and only considers your age, not your personal medical history or any underlying health conditions. Some medical conditions can also affect fertility; you can learn more here.
If you’re ever unsure, the best next step is to talk to a doctor or fertility specialist who can guide you based on your individual situation.
Your Quick Guide to Help You Decide Whether Egg Freezing Might be Right for You
Do you ever want to have children?
Conclusion
This decision tree is a starting point, not medical advice. Everyone’s fertility journey is unique, and it’s always worth getting personalised guidance from a doctor.
If you’re thinking about trying for a baby soon, consider pre-conception counselling and a gynaecological check-up to make sure everything’s on track.
If you’d like to learn more about egg freezing or discuss whether it could be right for you, talk to a fertility specialist — you can download our conversation guide to help you prepare for your first consultation.
Or, if you’re not ready to make any decisions yet, it’s always a good time to learn about your fertility so you can make informed choices in the future. Try our fertility age calculator to better understand your fertility and how it changes over time.
