What Is the Best Age to Freeze Your Eggs?

For many women, the brightest future includes college, a career, a relationship, and a baby — in that order. Sometimes, though, the ticking of your biological clock doesn’t fit into your timeline. What do you do when you know your most fertile time may interfere with other important accomplishments on your preferred timeline? 

Freeze the clock, of course, by freezing your eggs for future use.

University Reproductive Associates, with multiple locations in New Jersey & New York, has been helping build families since 1985. Their top-rated fertility experts are proud to provide the most innovative and effective treatment available for egg harvesting and freezing. 

This means you can choose to have your baby when your circumstances fit, rather than when a ticking clock says you must. There are a few factors to keep in mind, however.

Age does matter

Pregnancy is very tough on your body, and it only makes sense to have a baby while you’re still relatively young and overall healthy. That range is changing these days, though, thanks to increased preventive care, improved medical technology and treatment techniques, and a culture that fosters good health well into advanced age and beyond.

Unfortunately, your ovaries don’t necessarily keep up with the times. You’re born with a limited number of eggs, and the number and quality of those eggs decline steadily as you age.

Typically, your fertility begins to drop as early as your late 20s or early 30s, and it falls much more rapidly after you reach 35 years old. This can make it more difficult to harvest viable eggs for freezing, as the reserves in your ovaries decrease.

Even if you’re otherwise healthy and fit, this decline in the quantity and quality of your eggs reduces your chances of getting pregnant to about 5% by the time you’re 40. By 45, a natural pregnancy without fertility treatments is rare.

Aging isn’t the only reason to freeze your eggs

There are many conditions other than aging that can affect the quantity and quality of your eggs. These may include:

• Genetic factors and your environment
• Autoimmune disorders such as lupus or thyroid conditions
• Gender diversity treatments
• Radiation or chemotherapy for cancer or other illnesses

Egg freezing lets you preserve eggs for future use. Many women also prefer egg freezing to embryo freezing due to religious, logistical, or ethical considerations.

So, when is the best time to freeze my eggs?

The best average age for freezing your eggs is in your late 20s or early 30s. If you’re diagnosed with a condition that can decrease the quality and quantity of your eggs, however, you might want to consider freezing eggs much sooner. Your fertility specialist can offer guidance regarding the best timing for your circumstances.

Regardless of your age and health, your journey at University Reproductive Associates begins with a consultation to discuss your expectations and goals. The next step is a tailor-made  assessment that may include blood tests, an ultrasound, and other workups to help identify the quantity and quality of your eggs.

To book a consultation, contact University Reproductive Associates Today. We have five New Jersey offices in Hasbrouck Heights, Hoboken, Wayne, Millburn, & Denville, and another in Goshen, New York.