How Long Can Frozen Eggs and Embryos Be Stored

With advancements in reproductive technology, frozen egg storage and embryo preservation have become invaluable options for individuals and couples looking to build their families in the future. Whether you’re freezing eggs to preserve fertility or storing embryos for later use during IVF, a common question arises: How long can frozen eggs and embryos be stored? Let’s break it down.

Understanding Frozen Egg & Embryo Storage

Frozen egg storage involves retrieving a woman’s eggs, freezing them through a process called vitrification, and storing them in cryogenic tanks at ultra-low temperatures. Similarly, embryos are created by fertilizing an egg with sperm in a lab and then frozen for future use.

These frozen eggs and embryos remain in a state of suspended animation, meaning their biological processes are effectively paused, allowing them to remain viable for years.

For individuals choosing to freeze eggs or embryos to preserve their fertility for the future, the expectation is that those frozen eggs will be ready for them when and if they come back to use them to achieve their family-building goals. Therefore, it’s important to know how and where your tissue is stored. At Spring, your tissue is stored on-site and will be there until you are ready to return for embryo transfer.

How Long Can Frozen Eggs Be Stored?

The simple answer: indefinitely — thanks to vitrification.

Vitrification is an advanced freezing technique that instantly cools eggs to prevent the formation of ice crystals, which can damage cells. While there is always some expected attrition to the number of viable eggs when thawed, studies show that frozen eggs remain viable for many years, with successful pregnancies reported from eggs stored for over a decade.

At Spring Fertility, we use cutting-edge technology to ensure high survival rates for frozen eggs, independent of how long they’re stored. Whether you plan to use them in a year or ten, your eggs will remain just as healthy and ready for fertilization as the day they were frozen.

How Long Can Frozen Embryos Be Stored?

Like eggs, frozen embryos can also be stored indefinitely without compromising their quality. The longest-known successful embryo storage resulted in a healthy birth after the embryo had been frozen for 27 years!

At Spring Fertility, embryos are stored under highly controlled conditions using state-of-the-art cryopreservation technology. Our team carefully monitors the storage tanks to ensure consistent temperature and safety. Unlike frozen eggs, frozen embryos are extremely stable when thawed, and you should expect minimal attrition in the number of viable embryos you have available once thawed and ready for implantation.

Does Storage Time Affect Success Rates?

The length of time eggs or embryos remain frozen does not appear to negatively impact their success rates. The key factors affecting success are:

• The age at which eggs were retrieved: Younger eggs typically have a higher chance of successful fertilization and implantation.
• The quality of the sperm and embryo: High-quality embryos, regardless of how long they've been frozen, have strong success rates.
• The freezing method: Vitrification offers better survival rates compared to older slow-freezing techniques.

Deciding How Long to Store Your Eggs or Embryos

The decision to store eggs or embryos long-term is a deeply personal one. Some common reasons people choose long-term storage include:

• Delaying parenthood: Focusing on career, health, or other personal goals before choosing to begin your family.
• Medical treatments: Preserving fertility before undergoing treatments like chemotherapy.
• Family planning: Storing embryos after IVF for sibling pregnancies in the future.
• LGBTQ+ family building: Freezing eggs or embryos as part of the surrogacy or reciprocal IVF process.

What Happens If You No Longer Need Your Frozen Eggs or Embryos?

If you decide you no longer wish to use your frozen eggs or embryos, there are several options:

• Thaw and discard them (requires signed consent).
• Donate to another individual or couple who is struggling with infertility.
• Donate to scientific research to advance reproductive technology.
• Continue storage if you’re unsure about your future plans.

No matter what you choose, our team at Spring Fertility will help guide you through these choices with compassion and clarity.

Thanks to modern freezing techniques like vitrification, frozen egg storage and embryo cryopreservation allow individuals and couples to take control of their reproductive timelines. Eggs and embryos can be safely stored for years — even decades — without losing their potential for creating a healthy pregnancy.

If you’re considering freezing your eggs or embryos, or if you have questions about long-term storage, we’re here to help. Contact Spring Fertility to schedule a consultation and learn more about preserving your fertility for the future.