Study reveals success rates of egg freezing comparable to standard IVF
Success rates of egg-freezing are comparable to those obtained through traditional in vitro fertilization (IVF), and are influenced by the same variables such as female age and embryo quality, according to a comprehensive study.
Egg-freezing success rates
The findings, based on a 15-year study involving nearly 30,000 frozen eggs, indicate an overall live birth rate of 26 percent per embryo transfer. This study, published in the peer-reviewed journal Reproductive Biomedicine Online, showed results that were similar to large-scale research conducted in other countries.
Impact of age on success rates
The success rates varied depending on the age at which the eggs were frozen—women over 35 years old experienced lower success rates, with only 5 percent for those over 40. However, the total live birth rate increased to 34 percent after transferring all embryos developed from thawed eggs. Notably, women who froze their eggs before the age of 36 saw a higher success rate of 45 percent.
“These are results comparable with those nationally recorded in routine IVF,” stated Professor Nick Macklon, senior author of the study and Medical Director of the London Women’s Clinic.
Rising popularity of egg-freezing
The number of women seeking egg-freezing treatment has surged from 150 in 2015 to over 800 in 2022. Despite this increase, only 14 percent of women return to thaw their eggs. Out of 2,171 patients, 299 returned, completing 332 thaw cycles. The cumulative live birth rate is 36 percent, rising to 57 percent for those who froze their eggs under the age of 35. “Freeze-all” cycles had a 30 percent live birth rate, improving to 40 percent with chromosomal screening (PGT-A). All live births in women aged 40 were from screened embryos.
Viable path to pregnancy
Despite some skepticism, these results indicate that egg-freezing and thawing offer a viable path to pregnancy, akin to IVF. The study concluded that “egg freezing and thawing can provide a very real opportunity for women to achieve pregnancy and live birth.”