How Many Eggs Should You Freeze? Everything You Need  to Consider

Freezing your eggs is an empowering step toward taking control of your reproductive future. But after making that decision, many often have one big question: How many eggs should I freeze?

There’s no single answer for everyone. Your ideal number depends on several factors, like your age, goals, and life circumstances. At EVOLVE, we know that the decision to freeze your eggs is a big one, and we’re here to help. In the following article, we take a closer look specifically at egg quantity and what it means for your egg freezing journey.

Ovarian Reserve by Age

Your ovarian reserve refers to the number of eggs remaining in your ovaries. This number naturally decreases as you age. It’s one of the most important factors determining success in the egg freezing process.

Egg development starts before birth. You have roughly six to seven million eggs before you are born!. By birth, this number falls to about one to two million. By puberty, about 300,000 to 400,000 remain.

Throughout your reproductive years, you lose eggs each month. This occurs during ovulation, but also through a natural process called atresia (the degeneration of the ovarian follicles). The decline is gradual at first. But the rate, on average, increases after about age 35. This drop affects both the quantity and the quality of the eggs, with older eggs more likely to have chromosomal abnormalities.

How Many Eggs Do I Have?

Doctors often estimate your reserve through specific assessments and tests. These tests give you a clearer picture of your fertility potential.

Most individuals in their 20s have optimal ovarian reserves. The average 25-year-old might retrieve 15 to 20 eggs per cycle, and, by age 35, this may drop to 10 to 15 eggs.

After age 40, egg counts vary widely between individuals. Some maintain reserves. Meanwhile, others see a significant decline. This is why early testing can be particularly valuable.

How Do I Know How Many Eggs I Have Left? 

There are a few signs that can indicate your ovarian reserve status. For example, changes in your menstrual cycle can offer clues. Shorter or irregular periods sometimes suggest declining reserves.

However, you can’t rely on symptoms alone. The only reliable way to know is through ovarian reserve testing. 

Ovarian Reserve Testing

AMH (Anti-Mullerian Hormone) testing is the primary blood test to determine ovarian reserve. Higher AMH usually means more eggs available for freezing.

Your fertility team will also check FSH and estradiol levels. These hormones provide additional information about your reproductive status and ovarian reserve.

An ultrasound will help determine your antral follicle count. Antral follicles are fluid-filled sacs in the ovaries that contain a potential egg for retrieval. This information can further help assess your reserves and, in addition to your lab results, makes up your unique fertility profile, which informs your egg freezing protocol. 

At EVOLVE, our team conducts a comprehensive assessment to guide your personalized egg freezing treatment plan.

How Many Eggs Are Typically Retrieved During IVF?

Your age, ovarian reserve, and medication response all influence results. Even individuals of the same age can have very different outcomes.

However, most retrieval procedures collect between eight and 15 eggs. But some may retrieve fewer than five eggs. Others might retrieve more than 20 in a single cycle.

Your response to medications plays a significant role here. Individuals who are “high responders” tend to produce many eggs. 

At the same time, egg retrieval numbers don’t tell the whole story. Quality matters as much as quantity for success. A smaller number of healthy eggs can potentially work better than a larger number of poor-quality ones.

Average Number of Eggs Retrieved by Age

Women under 35 often retrieve 12 to 20 eggs per cycle. Those aged 35 to 37 typically see 10 to 15 eggs retrieved. Between the ages of 38 and 40, the average number drops to seven to 12 eggs.

After 40, retrieval numbers can greatly vary. Some may retrieve more than 10. Others may only retrieve three to six eggs per cycle.

However, it’s worth noting that these are averages, not guarantees. Your individual results depend on your unique fertility profile and overall health.

Average Number of Mature Eggs 

Not every retrieved egg is ready for freezing. Only mature eggs can be successfully frozen and later fertilized. Approximately  75 to 80% of retrieved eggs are typically mature. 

For example, if you retrieve 15 eggs, expect that 11 to 12 will be mature ones. Ultimately, your fertility team evaluates each egg after retrieval. They identify which ones are suitable for freezing. You’ll often know your mature egg count by the next day.

How Many Eggs Do I Need to Freeze?

Most fertility specialists recommend freezing between 10 and 20 eggs for one child. For two children, you may want to consider freezing 20 to 30 eggs. However, this can vary based on your age and future family goals.

Consider Your Age

Your age at the time of egg freezing is your most important factor. Eggs frozen at 30 are usually more viable than those frozen at 40. 

This means that individuals under 35 might aim for 15 to 20 eggs per planned child. Beyond age 35, freezing 20-25 eggs per child is a good idea. After 38, however, you might need 25 to 30 eggs per planned child. 

It’s worth noting that these numbers assume you’ll use all frozen eggs. Many achieve pregnancy without using their entire supply. But having extra eggs can provide peace of mind.

Future Family Building

While you might not know the answer right now, it’s important to reflect on what your future may hold. Think carefully about your long-term family vision. Do you want one child or several? This decision guides your freezing strategy. It may also determine how many cycles you undergo.

IVF Success Rates

When you’re ready to use your eggs, you’ll continue with the IVF process. This involves combining your frozen eggs with sperm to create an embryo. From there, the embryos are implanted directly into the uterus in attempt to achieve a successful pregnancy. It’s important to note that, like any medical procedure, IVF does not always result in pregnancy, and sometimes multiple rounds are necessary.

So, how many eggs go on to be successful? About 80 to 90% of frozen eggs survive the thawing process. Of those, roughly 70% will fertilize successfully. And then, about half of the fertilized eggs develop into embryos.

From there, success depends on embryo quality. Good-quality embryos have a 30 to 50% pregnancy rate per transfer.

How Many Times Can You Undergo an Egg Retrieval?

There’s no strict limit on how many times you can retrieve eggs. And most individuals can safely undergo multiple egg retrieval cycles. Many people need two to three cycles to reach their target quantity of eggs. But, again, everyone is different. Some may complete just one successful cycle. 

When it comes to multiple cycles, the main limiting factors are often emotionally and financially related. Multiple cycles require significant time and money invested. Insurance coverage and personal resources also often guide these decisions. 

What is the Optimal Number of Eggs to Freeze? 

Generally, about 10 to 20 eggs before the age of 35 will likely result in one successful pregnancy. But again, this depends on many factors. Your fertility team will help you to determine what’s best for you.

Speak With a Fertility Clinic

At EVOLVE, our team typically works with patients between the ages of 25 and 39 for optimal outcomes. Women over 39 seeking egg freezing can consult with our sister clinic, TRIO, for specialized guidance and care.

Ready to explore your egg freezing options? Your next step is scheduling a consultation. Our EVOLVE team can help you understand your unique fertility picture. Talk to an EVOLVE nurse today to start your conversation. We’re here to support you through every step!