What To Know About Egg Freezing & How To Prepare

Approach It Like IVF

“The egg freezing procedure works in a similar way to IVF – but without putting a fertilised embryo back in. The process starts with a consultation to assess your fertility health, typically through blood tests to measure hormone levels and an ultrasound to evaluate ovarian reserve. The next step is ovarian stimulation. This involves taking hormone injections for around 10-14 days to encourage your ovaries to produce multiple eggs. During this time, you’ll have to go into your clinic for monitoring via ultrasound scans and blood tests to track your response. When your follicles mature, we schedule the egg retrieval, a minor surgical procedure done under sedation. A fine needle is used to collect the eggs through the vaginal wall. These eggs are assessed in the lab, and mature ones are frozen using vitrification, a rapid cooling process that preserves their viability. The entire process takes around two to three weeks, but prep and planning make up an essential part of the journey.” – Dr Amit Shah, consultant gynaecologist & co-founder of Fertility Plus 

Trust The Science

“Egg freezing has come a long way since the early days of slow freezing techniques, which were less effective. The introduction of vitrification – also known as rapid freezing – has significantly improved survival rates for eggs during thawing, which in turn has boosted the success rates of pregnancies using frozen eggs. Beyond the science, there’s also been a shift in accessibility and awareness. Clinics are now more adept at tailoring treatment protocols to individuals, and the costs, while still significant, have become more transparent.” – Amit 

Keep Age In Mind

“Age plays a crucial role in the egg freezing process and the likelihood of a successful pregnancy later on. As women age, both the quantity and quality of their eggs decline, which can affect both the number of viable eggs retrieved and the chances of a successful pregnancy. Freezing eggs at a younger age – ideally in your 20s or early 30s – helps preserve egg quality, effectively pausing the biological clock.” – Dr Jyoti Taneja, fertility specialist & group medical director at Avenues Clinic 

Know The Numbers

“The number of eggs frozen in one cycle depends on factors like age and ovarian reserve. Younger women may freeze 10-15 eggs in a single cycle, while older women might retrieve fewer. In terms of ensuring the best chance of success, we generally recommend freezing around 15-20 eggs, as not all eggs will survive thawing, fertilise, and develop into viable embryos. For some patients, achieving this number may require multiple cycles. The likelihood of a single frozen egg leading to a live birth is 5-10%. This means that the more eggs you freeze, the better your chances.” – Amit 

Find The Right Clinic

“Choosing the right clinic is a pivotal decision. First, look at the clinic’s success rates. This information should be transparent, and it’s also important to understand how those numbers relate to your specific circumstances, such as your age and ovarian reserve. Personalised care is key: the best clinics tailor protocols to optimise egg quality and quantity, offering flexibility and close monitoring. Look for a skilled medical team with extensive experience in egg freezing, supported by an advanced embryology lab that uses cutting-edge techniques like vitrification. Practical factors like location and scheduling also matter since frequent visits are needed during the stimulation phase. Lastly, trust your instincts – choose a clinic where staff are approachable, empathetic and communicate clearly. You should feel informed, supported and confident every step of the way.” – Amit 

Allow Three Months

“Since it takes around 90 days for an egg to fully mature, your overall health during that time can influence egg quality. Prioritising nutrition can make a real difference. As women, we’re born with all the eggs we’re ever going to have, which means our eggs have been exposed to our entire lifestyle from when we were born up until today. However, our eggs are most sensitive to nutrient levels and the environment for three months prior to ovulation and egg collection. So, if you spend just three months optimising your diet and lifestyle, you’ll be in a much better position to start your egg freezing journey. If you’ve put the groundwork in, you’ll have better quality eggs to work with.” – Natasha Evans, registered nutritional therapist 

Eat More Protein

“Lean protein – eggs, chicken, fish and dairy – provides essential nutrients like zinc, B vitamins and iron that directly support egg quality. Protein not only aids cell repair and hormone production but also boosts energy levels critical for egg maturation. Studies suggest increasing protein intake to 60g per day can improve outcomes during IVF stimulation. Prioritise organic meat, eggs and dairy, and wild-caught fish where possible for added nutrients. In the run up to egg freezing, and during the process, ensure all meals include a generous protein source, including snacks.” – Isobel Austin-Little, registered nutritional therapist 

Prioritise Healthy Fats

“Healthy fats like avocados, nuts, seeds and olive oil are excellent for reducing inflammation and supporting hormonal balance. These fats are vital for producing the cholesterol needed to regulate a healthy menstrual cycle. Plus, healthy fats also manage insulin levels and improve blood flow, both of which support egg quality.” – Isobel 

Load Up On Antioxidants

“Antioxidants combat oxidative stress, which can damage eggs. Focus on a colourful variety of fruits and vegetables, especially berries and dark, leafy greens. These foods provide vitamins like C, E and folate, along with minerals like selenium and zinc, which promote egg health.” – Isobel 

Consider Supplements

“While you cannot out-supplement a poor diet, the right formulas can fill any gaps and improve egg quality. Plus, we are currently facing issues with a lack of diversity in our soils, making nutrient deficiencies increasingly common. On top of a good-quality prenatal that includes methylated B9 (folate)/B12, choline, zinc, iodine and selenium, it’s also worth taking an omega supplement. The body cannot make omegas, meaning they must be obtained from the diet. However, with our oceans more subject to toxins, and with plant-based diets on the rise, many of us aren’t getting enough of these anti-inflammatory fats. Quality is important with fish oils – look for brands that test for heavy metals and ensure the dose is right for you.” – Isobel 

Exercise Sensibly

“When it comes to exercise, moderation is key. Too much exercise can increase oxidative stress, while too little may affect blood flow and hormonal balance. In the three months prior to egg freezing, focus on low-impact workouts like walking, yoga or swimming.” – Isobel 

Be Wary Of Toxins

“Increasing studies show exposure to environmental toxins – like BPAs, phthalates, parabens, pesticides and heavy metals – can impact fertility. They can be found everywhere – in our food and water as well as in washing detergent, and what we cook our food in. It’s impossible to completely avoid these toxins, but taking the steps to reduce your exposure to as many of them as possible will protect your egg quality. Avoiding plastic, non-stick pans, and canned foods, as well as opting for organic produce, can make a difference. The Yuka app is great – it’ll help you understand the toxicity of your beauty and home products.” – Isobel 

Establish A Bedtime Routine

“Poor sleep can interfere with every aspect of our wellbeing, including the secretion of hormones, which can affect PMS and increase time to conception. Interestingly, studies have found women who sleep less than seven hours a night or have trouble falling asleep have fewer oocytes retrieved during a cycle. How we sleep also has a direct effect on how we feel, eat and deal with stress, so practising good sleep hygiene is important in the lead up to egg freezing.” – Isobel 

For more, visit FERTILITYPLUS.ORG.UK, AVENUES.LIFE, NENUTRITION.CO.UK & ISOBELAUSTINLITTLE.COM

DISCLAIMER: Features published by SheerLuxe are not intended to treat, diagnose, cure or prevent any disease. Always seek the advice of your GP or another qualified healthcare provider for any questions you have regarding a medical condition, and before undertaking any diet, exercise or other health-related programme.