More women are freezing eggs but few have used them as yet

US elective egg freezing cycles nearly quadrupled between 2014 and 2021, but fewer than six percent of women returned to use them, according to new research.

Researchers from the University of California, Los Angeles, found that the number of women undergoing egg freezing cycles for fertility preservation has increased, from 4153 patients in 2014 to 16,436 in 2021. The study, published in the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, revealed that of the women who froze eggs between 2014 and 2016, only 5.7 percent of women returned to use them within five to seven years.

'This is the largest US study to date on elective fertility preservation, revealing insights into the clear shift in reproductive behaviour as more women delay childbearing to pursue education, careers, and personal goals,' said senior author Dr Lindsay Kroener. 'Egg freezing offers a powerful form of reproductive autonomy, and thanks to major advances in technology, the chances of success are better than ever.'

The study focused on elective egg freezing cycles for fertility preservation. The team analysed data about egg freezing cycles between 2014 and 2021 from the SART-CORS database, which collates information from 90 percent of US fertility clinics.

They found that over the years studied, the average age of women electing to freeze their eggs decreased from 36 to 34.9 years old, reflecting growing interest among younger patients. The women most likely to use their frozen eggs in treatment were those aged between 38 and 42.

The study also found the live birth rates using frozen eggs were comparable to the national average for IVF with fresh eggs.

The authors expressed surprise about the low rate of patients using their stored eggs, but added that the relatively short follow-up period of five to seven years may not fully capture the outcomes.

'This finding may be limited by the relatively short follow-up period, particularly for younger patients,' said Dr Kroener. 'It will be important to see how return rates for thawing evolve with a longer follow-up period. Over time, we may find that more young patients ultimately return to use their eggs.'

These findings mirror the situation in the UK. The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority's latest annual trends and figures report showed that the number of egg freezing cycles had more than doubled since 2019 (see BioNews 1295). Similarly, the number of patients using their frozen eggs remains low.