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Egg freezing is on the rise. More than 22,000 women in Australia and New Zealand underwent elective egg freezing between 2009 and 2023. Uptake has increased sharply, and there's little sign it will slow down anytime soon.

However, egg freezing isn't a straightforward decision. There's a lot to consider, and many women feel overwhelmed and unsure what to do.

A new evidence-based Egg Freezing Decision Aid has been launched to help women navigate this complex and personal decision.

So, why are more women freezing their eggs? For many, a key reason is not having a partner to start a family with.

Some researchers have linked this to a broader social issue described as the "gender mating gap," in which highly educated, professional, heterosexual women—who are more likely to freeze their eggs—have a smaller pool of eligible and compatible male partners with whom to start a family.

This means the rise in egg freezing may reflect individual responses to broader social challenges many women face.

Egg freezing decisions aren't simple. They involve weighing the treatment required now and planning for an uncertain future.

Practical questions include: What does the process involve? How will it fit around my commitments? What will it cost, particularly if more than one cycle is needed?

Other questions look further ahead: Will I ever use the eggs? What if treatment does not result in a baby?

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