More Women Are Freezing Their Eggs — Here’s Why The Trend Is Exploding

Once regarded primarily as a specialised fertility-preservation option for women undergoing potentially fertility-damaging medical treatments, oocyte cryopreservation, commonly known as egg freezing, has evolved into a broader tool for reproductive planning and autonomy.

In recent years, the growing interest in elective egg freezing has been influenced by changing social expectations, career ambitions, relationship circumstances, workplace benefits and advances in reproductive technology. As a result, more women are choosing to preserve their eggs as a way of gaining greater control over their reproductive timelines.

In the past, elective egg freezing was often considered by women in their late 30s as a backup option. However, fertility specialists generally advise that younger women tend to have better outcomes because egg quality and quantity decline with age.

How Egg Freezing Works

Egg freezing, medically referred to as oocyte cryopreservation, is a fertility-preservation procedure in which a woman’s eggs are collected, rapidly frozen and stored for possible use in the future.

The process typically begins with hormone injections administered for about 10 to 14 days. These medications stimulate the ovaries to produce multiple mature eggs rather than the single egg normally released during a menstrual cycle.

Once the eggs have matured, they are retrieved using a small needle guided by ultrasound. The procedure is generally performed under sedation or anaesthesia.

The retrieved eggs are then preserved using a rapid-freezing method known as vitrification and stored at extremely low temperatures, usually around minus 196 degrees Celsius.

At this temperature, biological activity is effectively halted, allowing the eggs to remain preserved for extended periods. However, freezing eggs does not guarantee that every egg will survive the thawing process, become successfully fertilised or ultimately result in a viable pregnancy.

Nigerian Celebrities and the Growing Egg-Freezing Trend

The increasing public conversation around fertility preservation has also been reflected among Nigerian celebrities.

In 2025, Nigerian Afrobeats singer Tiwa Savage revealed that she had frozen her eggs as an option in case she decides to have more children in the future.

During an interview with Zeze Mills, the singer said she wished she had preserved her eggs earlier and encouraged women in their 30s to consider fertility preservation as a way of taking greater control of their reproductive choices.

Similarly, in May 2026, content creator and social media influencer Amarachi Amusi, popularly known as Ashmusy, opened up about her decision to freeze her eggs.

Speaking to Punch, Ashmusy said motherhood remains an important part of her future plans and that she wanted to preserve the possibility of becoming a mother later in life, regardless of her relationship status.

She explained that some relationships she expected would eventually lead to marriage did not work out, prompting her to reconsider how she wanted to approach her future family plans.

Former Big Brother Naija housemate and disc jockey Tolanibaj has also spoken about taking proactive steps to preserve her fertility, saying she would rather explore egg freezing than potentially have regrets later.

Cost and Possible Side Effects

Nigerian fertility and reproductive endocrinologist, Dr Olakunle Olawole Oloko, told Naija News that egg freezing has been used for more than a decade, particularly among women whose fertility may be threatened by cancer treatment.

According to Oloko, the procedure was initially used extensively for women diagnosed with cancers, including breast cancer, because chemotherapy can damage ovarian function and reduce fertility. In such situations, retrieving and freezing eggs before treatment provides women with an opportunity to preserve their reproductive potential.

Explaining the importance of age, Oloko said there is no single age at which every woman should freeze her eggs, but younger women generally tend to have better-quality eggs and outcomes.

He noted that women in younger age groups typically have better reproductive outcomes, while advancing age is associated with a greater risk of chromosomal abnormalities and reduced egg quality.

On possible physical effects from the hormonal medication used during the process, Oloko said the injections can, in some cases, lead to ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS), a potentially serious complication following ovarian stimulation.

He added that most women may experience relatively minor discomfort following egg retrieval, although individual experiences can vary.

Regarding the chances of achieving a live birth using previously frozen eggs, Oloko said successful outcomes have been well documented, although success rates can vary depending on factors including the clinic, laboratory, specialists involved and the individual patient’s circumstances.

He said: “It has been well documented that there are successful outcomes. It may be from region to region, lab to lab, expert to expert that determines all that. Quite reasonable rates of success have been registered.”

On the financial implications, Oloko disclosed that at his centre, egg storage costs about ₦550,000 per quarter, although the total cost of fertility preservation can vary depending on the clinic and the services required.

He also explained that women ultimately have control over what happens to their stored eggs. If a woman later conceives naturally and decides she no longer needs her frozen eggs, the eggs can be discarded according to her instructions and the applicable clinic procedures.

Oloko further advised women experiencing anxiety over their biological clock to discuss their concerns with fertility specialists and consider the range of options available to them.

He noted that fertility challenges can carry a significant emotional burden, particularly for women who are older and have a reduced ovarian reserve. Depending on an individual’s circumstances, possible alternatives may include donor eggs, surrogacy or adoption.

Egg Freezing Is Not a Guarantee

While egg freezing can provide women with greater flexibility in making reproductive decisions, experts stress that it should be viewed as an option for fertility preservation rather than a guarantee of future motherhood.

The number and quality of eggs retrieved, the woman’s age at the time of freezing, the survival of the eggs after thawing, fertilisation outcomes and subsequent embryo development can all influence the chances of achieving a successful pregnancy.

Beyond the biological considerations, women also need to factor in the financial costs involved. Expenses may include ovarian stimulation, egg retrieval, laboratory procedures, storage, future thawing and IVF treatment if the frozen eggs are eventually used.

Ultimately, elective egg freezing can offer an additional layer of reproductive planning, but understanding its benefits, limitations, risks and costs is essential before making the decision.