Want the freedom to decide when to start a family—without the pressure of your biological clock?
Egg freezing gives you that choice.
It’s an increasingly popular option for women who want to preserve their fertility for the future. Whether you’re focusing on your career, haven’t found the right partner, or have a medical condition like cancer or PCOS, egg freezing provides a way to take control of your reproductive timeline.
In Canada, advancements in reproductive technology have made egg freezing more accessible. This guide will walk you through the entire process, from consultation to retrieval, costs, and key considerations—so you can make an informed decision about your reproductive future.
What is egg freezing?
Egg freezing is a medical process that preserves a woman’s fertility by safely storing her eggs for future use. Think of it like freezing food to keep it fresh—except in this case, it’s your eggs being frozen so they can be used later when you’re ready to have a baby.
But how does it work?
Doctors collect your eggs, freeze them at extremely low temperatures, and store them safely. Later, when you decide to have a child, the eggs should be thawed under controlled environment (without affecting the quality) and implanted in the uterus through in vitro fertilization (IVF) to help achieve pregnancy.
Who should consider egg freezing?
According to doctors and scientists, egg freezing can be a good option for:
✅ Women in their late 20s to early 40s who want to extend their fertility window.
✅ Individuals undergoing medical treatments (like chemotherapy) that could affect fertility.
✅ Those with a family history of early menopause, which can reduce natural conception chances.
✅ LGBTQIA+ individuals, including transgender people undergoing hormone therapy.
✅ Couples facing fertility challenges who aren’t ready for immediate IVF.
How to freeze your eggs in Canada — A complete process
Egg freezing is a carefully managed medical procedure that involves multiple stages, from consultation to storage. The process typically takes a few weeks and requires hormonal stimulation, monitoring, and a minor surgical procedure for egg retrieval.
Thanks to advancements in fertility technology, egg freezing in Canada is now safer and more effective than ever. Below is a step-by-step breakdown 🔽
Step 1: Consultation with a fertility specialist
Your journey begins with a consultation at a fertility clinic. The doctors will examine your overall health, fertility potential, and discuss your medical history, lifestyle, and expectations with egg freezing. Once done, they’ll conduct blood tests and an ultrasound to evaluate your ovarian reserve (egg count).
Step 2: Ovarian stimulation and monitoring
To prepare for egg retrieval, you’ll take hormone injections for about 10–14 days (on a daily basis). These medications stimulate your ovaries to produce multiple eggs instead of the usual one per cycle. During this period, doctors will monitor your progress with ultrasounds and blood tests to ensure the best possible outcome.
Step 3: Egg retrieval procedure
Once your eggs are ready, a minor surgical procedure called egg retrieval is performed. You’ll be given mild anesthesia, and the doctor will use a thin needle to collect the mature eggs from your ovaries. The process is quick, usually taking about 20–30 minutes, and after a few hours you’ll get recovered with mild cramping.
Step 4: Freezing and storage
After retrieval, your eggs are immediately frozen using vitrification, a fast-freezing technique that helps preserve their quality. They are then stored at ultra-low temperatures (ranging from -180°C to -196°C (-292°F to -320.8°F)) in a specialized facility until you’re ready to use them for IVF.
I believe you now have a clear idea of the process. Yes, it helps you save your eggs for the future. But before you decide, it’s important to know how much it costs.
Cost of egg freezing in Canada
I know cost is a big factor when making such decisions, so let’s break it down. The price of egg freezing varies depending on the clinic and province, but here’s a general idea of what you can expect:
- Initial consultation and testing: CAD 300 – CAD 500
- Ovarian stimulation medications: CAD 3,000 – CAD 5,000
- Egg retrieval procedure: CAD 6,000 – CAD 7,000
- Storage fees: CAD 500 – CAD 8,00 per year
Most provincial health plans don’t cover egg freezing unless it’s medically necessary, like before cancer treatment. However, some private insurance plans or financing options can help with the costs—so it’s worth checking what’s available to you.
Now let’s move forward and understand the legal and ethical aspects of egg freezing.
Legal and ethical considerations
In Canada, egg freezing comes with certain rules and responsibilities—but don’t worry, it’s not like signing up for a lifetime gym membership! Knowing these can help you make better choices about your stored eggs.
- Ownership of frozen eggs: You have full ownership of your frozen eggs and can decide how to use them.
Storage limits: Clinics may have limits on how long they can store eggs, so it’s important to check their policies. - Egg donation: If you no longer need your frozen eggs, some clinics allow you to donate them to others who may be struggling with infertility.
- Consent & future use: In Canada, you have to provide written consent for how your eggs can be used in the future (e.g., for personal use, donation, or research).
- Clinic policies and regulations: Different clinics may have varying policies on storage duration, donation, and disposal, so it’s essential to review these details before freezing your eggs.
Alright! I get the process, cost, and legal aspects—but what about success? How successful is egg freezing?
Great question! Let’s dive into the success rates and what to expect when using your frozen eggs in the future.
Success rates and future use of egg freezing
The success of egg freezing depends on your age at the time of freezing. Eggs frozen before the age of 35 have a higher chance of leading to a successful pregnancy. Around 90-95% of frozen eggs survive the thawing process, but survival alone doesn’t mean they will result in a baby.
The pregnancy success rate per IVF cycle using frozen eggs is between 30-60%, depending on factors like egg quality and overall health.
When you decide to use your frozen eggs, they will be thawed, fertilized with sperm in a lab (IVF), and then transferred into the uterus. While egg freezing increases your chances of having a baby later, it’s not a guarantee. Some women may need multiple IVF attempts before getting pregnant. A fertility specialist can help you understand what to expect.
Summary of success rates of egg freezing
- Age matters – The younger you freeze your eggs, the better the success rate.
- High survival rate – 90-95% of frozen eggs survive thawing.
- Not all eggs lead to pregnancy – The success rate per IVF cycle is 30-60%.
- More than one IVF cycle may be needed – Some women require multiple attempts.
- Consult a specialist – A doctor can guide you based on your health and fertility goals.
Choose the best fertility clinic for your egg freezing
Deciding to freeze your eggs is a big step, and choosing the right fertility clinic can make all the difference. The success of egg freezing isn’t just about numbers I mentioned above—it’s about working with experienced specialists, advanced technology, and personalized care that ensures the best outcome for you.
One of the top-rated fertility clinics in Canada is NewLife Fertility Centre. With state-of-the-art technology, a team of experienced fertility experts, and a patient-first approach, NewLife has helped thousands of individuals and couples take control of their fertility journey.
Why choose NewLife Fertility Centre for your egg freezing?
✔ Have proven success in egg freezing and IVF.
✔ Use the latest freezing techniques (like vitrification) to improve egg survival.
✔ Provide personalized treatment and customize the process to your specific needs to increase your chances.
✔ Providing emotional and medical support to patients and their families.
✔ Transparency in costs (no hidden fees) prevents surprises and helps with financial planning.
Your future family starts with the right choice today! Take control of your fertility with one of Canada’s top clinics.
Book your consultation now and take the first step toward preserving your fertility with confidence. 💙✨
Frequently asked questions on how to freeze your eggs in Canada
How long can eggs be frozen?
With advances in cryopreservation techniques, eggs can remain frozen for many years without compromising their quality. This allows flexibility in deciding the right time to use them.
Is there a “best age” to freeze eggs?
The younger, the better. Women in their late 20s to early 30s tend to have the healthiest eggs. Egg freezing is still possible at an older age, but for women over 37, retrieving healthy eggs may require more effort and time.
Can pregnancy occur with frozen eggs?
Yes, through in vitro fertilization (IVF), pregnancy with frozen eggs is possible. Egg freezing has been used successfully for decades and continues to improve with advancing technology.
How many eggs should be frozen?
On average, freezing around 20 eggs is recommended. Not every egg will result in pregnancy, so having a larger number increases the chances of success, especially if planning for multiple children.
Will all frozen eggs be used at once?
Typically, only six to eight eggs are thawed at a time. This allows for multiple attempts at pregnancy across different IVF cycles, preserving more opportunities for the future.
Is egg freezing an option for cancer patients?
Yes, egg freezing can be a great option for women undergoing cancer treatments like chemotherapy or radiation, which may impact fertility. Some clinics offer expedited cycles for cancer patients to complete the process quickly before starting treatment.
How long does the egg freezing process take?
From the start of a menstrual cycle, an egg freezing cycle typically lasts about two weeks. The process involves light medication, monitoring visits, and an egg retrieval procedure, which takes around 20 minutes under light anesthesia. Most individuals can return to normal activities within 24 hours.