The fertility freeze: What egg freezing tells us about the future of family planning
The practice of egg freezing is gaining popularity among high-profile women and the general public as a tool for family planning. Rising demand is driven by both medical necessity and the desire to delay childbearing for personal or professional reasons.
Why it matters
Increased accessibility and normalization of fertility preservation are fundamentally changing the timeline and structure of modern family planning.
American congress woman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez has begun the process of egg-freezing. Picture: FP via Getty Images
Chelsea Women’s Football Club’s recent announcement that it would pay for its players to freeze their eggs reflects demand for this fertility preservation treatment.
The procedure has also gained prominence through a number of high-profile women who have spoken about their experiences.
Last month, US congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez posted pictures of herself on social media as she self-injected with hormones as part of an egg freezing cycle. Celebrities, including Rita Ora, Paris Hilton, and Joanne McNally, have likewise been open about freezing their eggs.
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