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Egg Freezing for Fertility Preservation

Keep your options open. When you prolong your fertility by freezing your eggs, you can build your family on your own timeline.

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What is egg freezing?

Egg freezing is a process in which eggs are retrieved from the ovaries and preserved for future use. You may choose to delay parenthood for any number of reasons, whether it’s a medical diagnosis, professional goals, family medical history, or simply a desire to have a child later in life. Some people need to do this urgently because of a medical diagnosis such as cancer where the treatment may be harmful to eggs.


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How egg freezing works

The egg freezing process always begins with an initial consultation, ultrasound, and blood work so your provider can assess the best steps forward. You will be given hormonal medications for 10 to 14 days to stimulate ovaries to produce multiple eggs (instead of just one in a standard menstrual cycle) before eggs are retrieved. During this time you’ll be monitored closely with ultrasounds and blood tests to make sure your hormones are at an appropriate level for your procedure. Procedures are usually scheduled 12-16 days after medications start and are done while you are sedated with anesthesia.

This is a simple procedure performed by our expert doctors that involves inserting a thin ultrasound-guided needle into your ovaries to retrieve eggs. You will be deeply sedated with anesthesia for the whole process which takes about 20-30 minutes. Most women need 1-2 days to recover after the egg retrieval, but may have cramping, bloating, abdominal distention and constipation for several days.

Once your eggs are in our lab our expert embryologists will select mature eggs to be frozen via vitrification, a method of rapid freezing. Frozen eggs can be successfully stored for many years, until you are ready to use them.

When you are ready to try to conceive, your eggs will be thawed and fertilized in the lab using partner or donor sperm. The resulting embryo can be transferred into your uterus, the uterus of a female partner or the uterus of a gestational carrier. Preparing for the embryo transfer often requires hormones and ultrasound monitoring. An embryo transfer is similar to a pap smear and does not require any anesthesia.

Egg freezing can give you autonomy over your own fertility timeline. We typically recommend freezing before the age of 40, with the late 20s to mid 30s being the best time to freeze. That being said, every patient is unique, and we are happy to meet to discuss your options.


Freezing your eggs before undergoing medical treatments or procedures that impact fertility can also be a valuable option for those who want to preserve their fertility while caring for their own health. If your doctor or oncologist has talked with you about preserving your fertility, please call us at (916) 773-BABY (2229) to schedule an appointment.

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Egg freezing success with Northern California Fertility Medical Center

Our lab froze over 1,300 eggs in 2024

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Paying for egg freezing

Though coverage for fertility care varies widely by insurance plan, the good news is that you have options. Egg freezing for fertility preservation is often not covered by insurance, but may be included if your insurance plan covers infertility and you are facing a medical treatment that will compromise your fertility. We are committed to guiding you through your insurance benefits, out-of-pocket expenses, and other financing options every step of the way. With Northern California Fertility Medical Center you will never be in the dark about cost.

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You’ve got questions, we’ve got answers.

Northern California Fertility Medical Center has an age limit of 42 for egg freezing. While egg freezing is generally most effective before age 40, every individual is different. Our physicians will evaluate your egg supply and overall health, and provide personalized guidance to help you make the most informed and worthwhile decision.

Once your egg quantity is determined, your provider will advise you on your egg freezing success based on a number of factors, including your age. Some patients may choose to go through multiple rounds to get enough eggs to reach their goals. We encourage every patient to do what is best for them, and we will be transparent throughout the entire process so you can move forward feeling the best you can about your future fertility.

Many patients experience some side effects from the hormones used in this process including headaches, fatigue, irritability, bloating, nausea and constipation. These side effects will cease after the process is completed.

Typically you will be seen 4-5 times within a two-week period while you are on hormones. You will usually not need to be seen after the eggs are retrieved.

We recommend avoiding alcohol, smoking, and drugs as you prepare for the cycle and complete the cycle. We also recommend avoiding NSAIDS, such as ibuprofen, during the cycle. Toward the end of the cycle we will tell you to avoid strenuous exercise and intercourse for about a week until you are fully recovered after your procedure.

Please inform Northern California Fertility Medical Center if you decide not to use your eggs. You will be given a disposition form and you can choose to donate your eggs to the lab, another individual, or discard them. Your doctor is here to help guide your decision.