{"id":24482,"date":"2025-12-17T15:43:14","date_gmt":"2025-12-17T15:43:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/progyny.com\/?p=24482"},"modified":"2026-03-09T18:04:58","modified_gmt":"2026-03-09T18:04:58","slug":"progyny-webinar-egg-freezing-101","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/progyny.com\/education\/progyny-webinar-egg-freezing-101\/","title":{"rendered":"Egg freezing 101"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Updated by the Progyny Clinical Team \u2014 December 2025. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Egg freezing is a proactive way to take control of your fertility future. Many people don\u2019t realize that they\u2019re born with all the eggs they\u2019ll ever have. Unlike other cells in the body, eggs don\u2019t regenerate, and both their quantity and quality naturally decrease over time. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Egg freezing offers a way to safeguard your reproductive potential, giving you the flexibility to build your family on your own timeline. While the idea of fertility treatments may feel overwhelming at first, the process is often more manageable than expected. With the right guidance and support, egg freezing can be a straightforward and empowering experience. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is egg freezing? <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Egg freezing, a form of fertility preservation, involves retrieving and freezing your eggs at your current age so they can be used later when you\u2019re ready to move forward with family building. Because egg quality and quantity decline with age, freezing eggs earlier can increase the chance of a successful pregnancy in the future. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is the typical timeline of the treatment process? <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While some circumstances may require a faster treatment path\u00a0\u2014\u00a0for example, if you want to freeze eggs before starting chemotherapy or radiation\u00a0\u2014\u00a0most people will first meet with a\u00a0healthcare provider\u00a0to review their medical history, run initial bloodwork, and complete an ultrasound to assess ovarian reserve (how many eggs you have) and overall reproductive health.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The overall timeline depends on your menstrual cycle. Once your period starts, you can schedule an ultrasound and bloodwork. Based on those results, your provider\u00a0<\/strong>will review your medicine plan and next steps. Treatment usually begins with the following menstrual cycle. Depending on your plan, you may start with birth control pills or other medicines before beginning stimulation\u00a0with injectable medicines.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When it\u2019s time to begin ovarian stimulation, you\u2019ll start daily injections for about 9 to 12 days. During this time, you\u2019ll have ultrasounds and bloodwork done about every other day so your care team can track your progress. These visits usually happen early in the morning, and you\u2019ll receive updates later that day about any medicine adjustments and your next appointment. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Once the follicles (small, fluid-filled sacs in the ovary that house and nourish eggs) have grown to the appropriate size, you\u2019ll take a \u201ctrigger shot\u201d to help the eggs mature for retrieval \u2014 typically about 36 hours before the procedure. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

You\u2019ll then come in for the egg retrieval, which takes about 15 to 20 minutes under anesthesia. During the procedure, the care team carefully accesses the ovaries (with ultrasound guidance) through the vaginal wall to collect the fluid containing the eggs. The eggs are then evaluated under a microscope, and mature eggs are frozen for future use. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Afterward, you\u2019ll recover for about an hour before going home. You\u2019ll need someone to drive you and stay with you that day as you recover from anesthesia. Most people feel sore for a couple of days, while others may have mild discomfort for up to a week. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Because not every follicle contains a mature egg \u2014 and not all eggs survive the freezing and thawing process \u2014 your provider may discuss how many eggs to freeze to optimize your chances of success. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Finding support <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While the treatment process can take a physical toll, it can also bring emotional challenges. Although deciding to freeze your eggs can be empowering, it\u2019s normal to experience a range of feelings throughout the process. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Coming to the decision to freeze your eggs can be difficult, and there are often many steps between initial interest and starting treatment. Fertility journeys can sometimes feel isolating, so it\u2019s important to build a support system you can lean on and talk about your experience with. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Progyny is here to support you, too. Contact your Progyny Care Advocate with questions, concerns, or anything else that\u2019s on your mind. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Disclaimer:<\/strong> The information provided by Progyny is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider for medical guidance. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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