Egg Freezing Calculator
Calculate how many eggs to freeze based on your age. Estimate success rates, number of cycles needed, and expected outcomes for egg freezing (oocyte cryopreservation).
Important Note
Egg freezing success depends on many individual factors. These estimates are based on published statistics and averages. Your fertility specialist will provide personalized projections based on your specific situation, AMH, and ovarian reserve.
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About This Calculator
Egg freezing (oocyte cryopreservation) allows women to preserve their fertility by storing eggs for future use. Whether you're focused on your career, haven't found the right partner, or have medical reasons to delay childbearing, understanding how many eggs to freeze is crucial for planning.
Why "How Many Eggs" Matters: Not every frozen egg becomes a baby. Through the process of thawing, fertilization, embryo development, and implantation, you lose eggs at each stage. The number you start with significantly impacts your chances of success.
Key Factors That Affect Success:
- Age at freezing - The single most important factor (egg quality)
- Number of eggs frozen - More eggs = more chances
- Egg quality - Determined primarily by age
- Clinic expertise - Vitrification technique matters
- Future sperm quality - Affects fertilization rates
The Egg Freezing Journey:
- Retrieval - Eggs collected from ovaries
- Freezing - Vitrification (flash-freezing)
- Storage - Eggs remain frozen for years
- Thawing - When ready to use
- Fertilization - Usually ICSI
- Culture - Embryo development to blastocyst
- Transfer - Embryo placed in uterus
- Implantation - Pregnancy begins
This calculator estimates how many eggs you should aim to freeze based on your age and family-building goals. For ovarian reserve testing, see our AMH Calculator. For IVF outcome predictions, try our IVF Success Calculator.
How to Use the Egg Freezing Calculator
- 1Enter your current age (or age at planned freezing).
- 2Select how many children you hope to have.
- 3Choose your desired confidence level (50%, 70%, or 90%).
- 4Review the recommended number of eggs to freeze.
- 5Check the estimated number of retrieval cycles needed.
- 6Study the funnel showing eggs to babies conversion.
- 7Review age-specific success rates.
- 8Consider the cost estimates for budgeting.
- 9Discuss these projections with your fertility specialist.
- 10Get your AMH tested for personalized predictions.
How Many Eggs Do I Need?
The number of eggs needed depends on your age and confidence level.
General Guidelines by Age
| Age at Freeze | Eggs for 1 Baby (70%) | Eggs for 2 Babies (70%) |
|---|---|---|
| Under 30 | 10-12 | 20-24 |
| 30-34 | 12-16 | 24-32 |
| 35-37 | 16-22 | 32-44 |
| 38-40 | 25-35 | 50-70 |
| Over 40 | 40+ | 80+ |
Why Age Matters So Much
Egg quality declines with age:
- Under 35: ~65% of eggs are chromosomally normal
- 38-40: ~35% are normal
- 42+: ~15% or fewer are normal
More eggs compensate for lower quality, but cannot fully overcome it.
Confidence Levels Explained
50% confidence: Reasonable chance - you may need more eggs later
70% confidence (recommended): Good chance - standard planning target
90% confidence: High certainty - requires significantly more eggs
The Math Behind It
To achieve one live birth:
- Start with X eggs
- ~85% are mature
- ~85% survive thaw
- ~70% fertilize
- ~45% reach blastocyst
- ~35% implant
At age 32: 14 eggs → 12 mature → 10 survive → 7 fertilize → 3 blastocysts → ~1 baby
The Egg Freezing Process
Understanding each step helps you prepare.
Step 1: Ovarian Stimulation (10-14 days)
Daily hormone injections stimulate multiple follicles:
- FSH medications (Gonal-F, Follistim)
- LH medications (Menopur)
- Antagonist to prevent premature ovulation (Cetrotide, Ganirelix)
Monitoring: Blood tests and ultrasounds every 2-3 days
Step 2: Egg Retrieval (20-30 minutes)
- Light anesthesia (you're asleep)
- Ultrasound-guided needle through vaginal wall
- Fluid aspirated from each follicle
- Eggs identified in lab immediately
Recovery: Most return to normal activities next day
Step 3: Vitrification (Same Day)
Modern flash-freezing technique:
- Eggs cooled at 15,000°C per minute
- Prevents ice crystal formation
- 90%+ survival rates (vs. 60% with slow freezing)
Step 4: Storage
- Eggs stored in liquid nitrogen (-196°C)
- Can remain frozen indefinitely
- Annual storage fees ($500-800/year)
Step 5: Future Use (When Ready)
- Eggs thawed (warmed rapidly)
- Fertilized with ICSI (sperm injected)
- Embryos cultured 5-6 days
- PGT-A testing option (chromosomal screening)
- Single embryo transfer to uterus
- Pregnancy test 10-14 days later
Success Rates by Age
Age at freezing is the dominant factor in success.
Live Birth Rates Per Egg Thawed
| Age at Freeze | Per Egg | Per 10 Eggs | Per 20 Eggs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under 30 | 8-12% | 60-80% | 90%+ |
| 30-34 | 7-10% | 50-70% | 80-90% |
| 35-37 | 5-8% | 40-55% | 65-80% |
| 38-40 | 3-5% | 25-40% | 45-65% |
| Over 40 | 1-3% | 10-25% | 20-45% |
Cumulative Success
The beauty of egg freezing is cumulative attempts:
- Each thawed egg is a chance
- Multiple embryos can be created
- Unused embryos can be refrozen
- Additional retrievals can add to your bank
Important Caveats
These are averages. Individual results depend on:
- Actual egg quality (varies within age groups)
- Sperm quality of future partner
- Uterine health at time of transfer
- Clinic expertise and protocols
Eggs vs. Embryos
Some research suggests:
- Embryo survival rates slightly higher than egg survival
- But embryo freezing requires a sperm source
- Eggs offer flexibility for future partner choice
Costs and Financial Planning
Egg freezing requires significant investment.
Average US Costs (2024)
| Component | Cost Range |
|---|---|
| Retrieval cycle | $10,000-15,000 |
| Medications | $3,000-6,000 |
| Anesthesia | $500-1,000 |
| Initial freezing | Included or $1,000 |
| Annual storage | $500-800/year |
Total per cycle: $15,000-22,000
Multi-Cycle Planning
Most women under 35 need 1-2 cycles. Women 35-38 often need 2-3 cycles. Women 38+ may need 3+ cycles.
Budget example (age 34, 2 children goal):
- 2 retrieval cycles: $34,000
- Medications: $10,000
- 5 years storage: $3,000
- Total: ~$47,000
Future Costs (When Using Eggs)
| Procedure | Cost |
|---|---|
| Thaw + fertilization | $3,000-5,000 |
| Embryo culture | Included or $1,500 |
| PGT-A testing | $3,000-6,000 |
| Frozen embryo transfer | $3,000-5,000 |
| Medications for transfer | $500-2,000 |
Cost-Saving Options
Insurance: Some states mandate fertility coverage Employer benefits: Many tech/corporate employers cover egg freezing Financing: Payment plans available at most clinics Multi-cycle packages: Discounts for committing to multiple cycles Shared risk programs: Refund if unsuccessful
When to Freeze Your Eggs
Timing your egg freeze involves balancing multiple factors.
The Age Trade-off
Younger freezing:
- Better egg quality
- Fewer eggs needed
- Fewer cycles required
- Lower total cost
- But: May never use them
Older freezing:
- Know you need them
- Life circumstances clearer
- But: Lower quality, more needed
Ideal Age Recommendations
Under 30:
- Excellent time if planning to delay childbearing 5+ years
- May only need 1 cycle
- Consider if career, education, or relationship goals require waiting
30-34:
- Sweet spot for many women
- Good quality, reasonable yield
- Commonly recommended age range
35-37:
- Still worthwhile but urgency increases
- May need 2-3 cycles
- Don't delay if considering
38-40:
- Diminishing returns but still possible
- Need realistic expectations
- Discuss alternatives (donor eggs)
Over 40:
- Success rates significantly lower
- May want to consider other options
- Individual assessment essential
Reasons to Freeze
Medical:
- Before cancer treatment
- Endometriosis surgery planned
- Family history of early menopause
- Genetic conditions affecting fertility
Social/elective:
- Career focus
- Not in a relationship
- Relationship not ready for children
- Want to preserve options
Eggs vs. Embryos
Understanding the trade-offs between freezing eggs versus embryos.
Egg Freezing Advantages
Flexibility:
- No sperm source needed now
- Future partner choice preserved
- Individual ownership (no legal complications)
Independence:
- Your eggs, your decision
- No partnership required
- Simpler logistics
Embryo Freezing Advantages
Higher survival:
- Embryos slightly more resilient to freeze/thaw
- ~95% survival vs ~85% for eggs
Quality screening:
- PGT-A testing possible before freezing
- Know how many normal embryos you have
- More predictable outcomes
Proven track record:
- Embryo freezing longer established
- More outcome data available
When Eggs Make Sense
- No current partner
- Uncertain about current relationship
- Want to keep options open
- Partner has fertility concerns
When Embryos Make Sense
- Committed relationship/marriage
- Using donor sperm
- Want maximum efficiency
- Prefer knowing embryo status
Combination Approach
Some women:
- Freeze eggs first
- Later freeze embryos when partnered
- Have both options available
Pro Tips
- 💡Freeze younger rather than later - egg quality determines success.
- 💡Get AMH and AFC tested to predict your egg yield per cycle.
- 💡Plan for potentially needing multiple retrieval cycles.
- 💡Consider freezing more eggs than minimum recommendations.
- 💡Research clinic success rates with frozen eggs specifically.
- 💡Budget for storage fees over potentially many years.
- 💡Understand that frozen eggs are insurance, not a guarantee.
- 💡Ask about multi-cycle package discounts at your clinic.
- 💡Check if your employer offers fertility benefits.
- 💡Have realistic expectations - not every egg becomes a baby.
- 💡Consider embryo freezing if you have a committed partner.
- 💡Don't wait for "perfect timing" - egg quality waits for no one.
Frequently Asked Questions
The number depends on your age at freezing. At under 30, approximately 10-12 eggs give ~70% chance of one baby. At 30-34, you need 12-16 eggs. At 35-37, aim for 16-22 eggs. At 38-40, you may need 25-35 eggs. These numbers account for losses at each stage from thawing through implantation.
