Adriana Wong, MD MPH

If you’re considering fertility preservation, one of the decisions you may face is whether to freeze eggs vs. embryos. Both are great options, but there are some important differences to consider!

Egg freezing gives you more flexibility. You don’t have to decide on a sperm source right now, which can be especially helpful if you’re unsure about a future partner or donor. The tradeoff? We have less information about the reproductive potential of those eggs until they’re eventually thawed, fertilized, and grown into embryos.

Embryo freezing gives you more information upfront. We can see how many eggs successfully fertilize and develop into blastocysts, assess embryo quality, and potentially perform preimplantation genetic testing (PGT-A). This gives us more information about the likelihood of future success, although it still doesn’t guarantee a pregnancy.

There are also other factors to consider, including cost, thaw survival rates, and legal considerations surrounding embryo ownership and future use.

Ultimately, this is a very personal decision but I am always there for my patients to be a sounding board and help weigh the pros and cons of each! The right choice depends on your age, reproductive goals, relationship circumstances, and how much flexibility you want to preserve for the future.