"Freeze Eggs Early While Young"...Rapid Increase in Unmarried Women's Egg Freezing

Annual Procedure Numbers Increase... Surpassing 4,500 Cumulative Cases
Rising Marriage and Pregnancy Ages Seem to Have an Impact

The number of egg freezing procedures, commonly known as 'egg cryopreservation,' has surpassed 4,500 cases cumulatively. In particular, as the age of marriage and childbirth increases every year, it is known that many women around the age of 35 choose this option.

According to the medical community on the 9th, the cumulative number of egg freezing procedures for unmarried women collected from five infertility centers under the Cha Hospital Group reached 4,563 cases. The Cha Hospital Group is known as the medical institution that performs the most egg freezing procedures in Korea, having established the world's first egg bank in 1999.

Egg freezing involves freezing and storing eggs for future pregnancy considerations, allowing women to thaw the eggs when desired and attempt pregnancy through in vitro fertilization. In the past, cancer patients often chose this to preserve fertility before undergoing chemotherapy.

The number of egg freezing procedures for unmarried women was 72 cases in 2015 but surged to over 1,000 annually by 2021. Last year, it recorded 1,004 cases, continuing an upward trend.

The medical community analyzes that as the age for marriage and pregnancy increases overall, more women want to store their eggs while they are younger.

Japanese broadcaster Sayuri Fujita, who gave birth through egg freezing in 2020
[Image source: Screenshot from YouTube channel 'SayuriTV']

Professor Han Aera of the Daegu Cha Hospital Infertility Center said, "As the ages for marriage, pregnancy, and childbirth all rise, concerns that it may be difficult to conceive when one wants are reflected in this trend."

In fact, many chose the procedure around the age of 35, which is the standard for advanced maternal age. As of last year, 69.3% of all procedures were for women aged 35 or older, with 502 cases between 35 and 40 years old, accounting for half. Those under 35 were 308 cases, and women over 40 were 194 cases.

The popularization of egg freezing procedures through media coverage also had an impact. Previously, in 2020, it became a hot topic when Sayuri Fujita, a Japanese-born broadcaster, gave birth to a child through egg freezing. Sayuri gave birth to a son by receiving sperm donated from a man stored at a sperm bank in Japan.

Professor Han explained, "Many women choose the procedure to plan pregnancy and childbirth at least once in their lifetime, regardless of having a partner or marriage."

She added that rather than freezing eggs simply out of concern or worry like insurance, it is advisable to choose based on individual conditions and circumstances. Professor Han advised, "It is best to consult with experts considering your age and ovarian function before making a decision."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.