Egg freezing is one of the clearest ways to extend a woman’s childbearing years — but experts say the process comes with significant financial hurdles, medical uncertainties, and questions that even doctors can’t yet answer.
Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) recently shared on social media that she chose to freeze her eggs, bringing renewed attention to the topic of reproductive health.
“This is a choice that I am making to feel more in control of my life,” Ocasio-Cortez said.
What egg freezing involves
The process starts with extracting eggs from the ovaries and preserving them until a woman is ready to become pregnant. When that time comes, the eggs are thawed, fertilized, and transferred through in vitro fertilization (IVF) — but pregnancy is not guaranteed.
Dr. Mindy Christianson, Section Chief of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility at the Cleveland Clinic Foundation, says there is still a lot that remains unknown.
“One of the downsides of freezing eggs is that there’s still a lot of unknowns,” Christianson said. “We don’t know if they’re going to successfully fertilize. We don’t know if the embryos are going to grow.”
A conversation that can reduce stigma
Danielle Melfi, CEO of RESOLVE — a national patient advocacy organization supporting people facing infertility — says public figures sharing their stories help open doors for others.
“Someone sharing their story creates room for other people to ask questions, to maybe have that conversation with their doctor, with their friends and family,” Melfi said. “It’s really helpful in breaking down that stigma.”
The cost barrier
One round of egg freezing can cost thousands of dollars, plus ongoing storage fees. In many cases, insurance does not cover the procedure.
Melfi says the timing makes the financial strain particularly difficult.
“When you think of the time in your life when women are often making the decision to freeze their eggs, they’re thinking about it in their late 20s, their early to mid-30s,” she said. “That’s when they’re moving up in their career. They’re seeing if they can pay rent or buy a mortgage.”
Experts say: Start with a conversation
Despite the challenges, experts encourage anyone considering egg freezing not to let the unknowns be a barrier to getting information.
“The take-home message for people interested is: don’t be afraid to make a consultation to learn more about it,” Christianson said.