One in Four Women Have Used Frozen Eggs Within Decade
A new study reveals how many women return to utilize their cryopreserved eggs for future family planning.
Updated on Oct. 8, 2026 in Pregnancy
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A large-scale analysis of 20,209 women found that 28 percent returned to use their electively frozen eggs within 10 years. The study provides new clarity for those considering the procedure as a way to manage biological clock pressures.
Why it matters
Understanding utilization rates helps individuals weigh the financial and personal commitment of egg freezing against the likelihood of future use. As popularity grows, these findings offer a clearer picture of long-term outcomes for those pursuing the procedure.
This retrospective cohort study published in Human Reproduction analyzed data from 20,209 Australian and New Zealand women who froze eggs between 2009 and 2023. Researchers found that about one-third of the women who utilized their frozen eggs successfully had a live birth.
The details
Elective egg freezing works by stimulating the ovaries to produce multiple eggs, which are then retrieved and vitrified to preserve their biological age at the time of freezing. When a woman decides to return for her eggs, they are thawed and fertilized with sperm—often donor sperm in about half of cases—before the resulting embryo is transferred to the uterus. The procedure carries significant costs, ranging from $7,000 to $12,000 per cycle plus annual storage fees of $500 to $1,000.
Timeline
In 2009, 55 women underwent elective egg freezing.
The study period for elective egg freezing data spanned from 2009 to 2023.
In 2023, 4,919 women underwent elective egg freezing.
The findings were published in Human Reproduction in October 2026.
Health Landscape
The surge in elective egg freezing from 55 procedures in 2009 to 4,919 in 2023 marks a significant shift in reproductive medicine. This study updates the outcomes data for this rapidly growing reproductive trend, providing a crucial benchmark for clinical expectations.
If you are considering egg freezing, discuss the upfront cycle costs and ongoing storage fees with a fertility specialist to determine how these fit into your long-term financial planning. It is also worth speaking with a doctor about how biological age impacts success rates, as these figures highlight both the possibility of future use and the reality that not all stored eggs lead to a live birth.
The takeaway
While one in four women return for their eggs within a decade, the average return time is nearly five years. Keep in mind that egg freezing is a tool for preserving current fertility status, and discussing personal expectations with a reproductive endocrinologist is a vital step.
Further reading
For more on reproductive options and family planning, see our Pregnancy section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Australian Broadcasting Corporation.
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