EggFreezingFacts.org

How Many Egg Freezing Cycles Do You Need?

Most patients need two egg freezing cycles, and over 20% go to three.[1] The calculator on this page works out how many your own numbers imply, from age-driven yield, state pricing and a 5, 10 or 15-year storage horizon.

The case for multiple cycles after 35

Under 35, one cycle usually gets you there. Between 35 and 37 it is one or two, and from 38 to 40 plan on two or three. Here is the arithmetic. In the 30 to 34 band a 70% shot at one live birth calls for 9 to 14 mature eggs. By 35 to 37 the target is around 15. From 38 to 40 it reaches 26 or more.[4][5] Yield runs the other way: a cycle at 30 to 34 returns 12 to 18 mature eggs, 8 to 14 across 35 to 37, and 6 to 10 once you are 38 to 40.[17] Rising target, falling yield, more cycles. Both sets of figures come from ASRM outcomes data and the Goldman et al. 2017 counseling tool.

Eggs required for ~70% chance of one live birth, by age

AgeMature eggs neededWhat it means
30 to 349 to 14 maturefor ~70% chance of one live birth
35 to 37around 15 maturefor ~70% chance of one live birth
38 to 4026+ maturefor ~70% chance of one live birth
41 plusuncertainper-egg success drops; counsel individually

Source: ASRM 2021 evidence-based outcomes guideline,[4] Goldman et al. 2017 counseling tool.[5]

Typical yield of mature eggs per cycle, by age

Source: Extend Fertility published cohort,[17] Cobo et al. vitrification cohort data.[6]

Total cost estimate based on cycle count

The FertilityIQ / GoodRx / Cofertility 2026 consensus range gives per-cycle costs.[1] Storage adds a per-year fee for each year eggs are kept. Year one is often included; the table below counts only subsequent years.

When a second cycle is cheaper than the first

Multi-cycle packages from some clinics discount the second and third cycle. With high AMH and a good first yield, the second cycle may use less medication. Known response patterns can reduce monitoring frequency. Ask CCRM, Shady Grove, Kindbody, and Inception about their packages. Get written pricing before paying for the first cycle.

How cycles differ from one another

  • Protocol adjustment (antagonist vs long agonist vs mini-stim) based on cycle 1 response
  • Dose change in gonadotropins, often higher if first cycle yielded fewer eggs than expected
  • Adjusted trigger timing if the first cycle had a premature LH surge or asynchronous follicle growth
  • In rare cases, a switch to dual stimulation or the addition of priming protocols

A board-certified reproductive endocrinologist should guide protocol, dose, and cycle count. That doctor has reviewed your AMH, antral follicle count, and any prior cycle response. This page gives information only.

Declining effectiveness after 38

Third cycles add little for women over 38. Per-egg success rate drops with age at freezing.[1] FertilityIQ data is honest about that. Freezing earlier gives better math, even with fewer eggs. The age-and-cost relationship has its own page.

What each additional cycle buys 66% 1 cycle 14 eggs $15K 89% 2 cycles 28 eggs $30K 96% 3 cycles 42 eggs $45K+23 pts for +$15K+7 pts for +$15K Chance of at least one live birth, against cumulative cost
The second cycle buys 23 more points of probability. The third buys 7. ASRM-derived yield model at age 34.

Associated

  1. [1] FertilityIQ, “The Costs of Egg Freezing” (checked April 2026). https://www.fertilityiq.com/fertilityiq/articles/the-costs-of-egg-freezing
  2. [4] ASRM Practice Committee, Fertility and Sterility, 2021, “Evidence-based outcomes after oocyte cryopreservation for donor oocyte in vitro fertilization and planned oocyte cryopreservation: a guideline”. https://www.asrm.org/practice-guidance/practice-committee-documents/evidence-based-outcomes-after-oocyte-cryopreservation-for-donor-oocyte-in-vitro-fertilization-and-planned-oocyte-cryopreservation-a-guideline/
  3. [5] Goldman et al., Human Reproduction, 2017, “Predicting the likelihood of live birth for elective oocyte cryopreservation: a counseling tool for physicians and patients”. https://academic.oup.com/humrep/article/32/4/853/3056229
  4. [17] Extend Fertility, “Egg Freezing Success by Age: Outcomes Data” (checked April 2026). https://extendfertility.com/your-fertility/egg-freezing-success-rates/
  5. [6] Cobo et al., Fertility and Sterility, 2016, “Oocyte vitrification as an efficient option for elective fertility preservation”. https://www.fertstert.org/article/S0015-0282(15)02157-7/fulltext
  6. [7] Fertility and Sterility, 2021, “Patterns and outcomes of patients who returned to use cryopreserved oocytes for family building”. https://www.fertstert.org/article/S0015-0282(21)02220-9/fulltext
  7. [8] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2022 data, published 2024, “ART Success Rates: National Summary Report”. https://www.cdc.gov/art/reports/2022/national-summary.html
  8. [3] Cofertility, “Comparing Egg Freezing Costs Across the U.S. and Why Location Matters” (checked April 2026). https://www.cofertility.com/freeze-learn/comparing-egg-freezing-costs-across-the-u-s-and-why-location-matters
  9. [13] California Legislative Information, 2024 (effective Jan 2026), “SB 729: Health care coverage: infertility and fertility services”. https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billNavClient.xhtml?bill_id=202320240SB729
  10. [14] Georgia General Assembly, 2025 (effective Jan 2026), “HB 94: Insurance coverage for iatrogenic infertility”. https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/65404
  11. [15] Florida Legislature (Chapter 2025-212), became law July 2025, “CS/HB 677: State Group Insurance Program Coverage of Standard Fertility Preservation Services”. https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2025/677
  12. [16] Minnesota Legislature, 2025 bill, in House committee as of June 2026 (not enacted), “HF 1758: Building Families Act, infertility coverage (proposed)”. https://www.revisor.mn.gov/bills/bill.php?b=House&f=HF1758&ssn=0&y=2025
Contents
  1. The case for multiple cycles after 35
  2. Eggs required for ~70% chance of one live birth, by age
  3. Typical yield of mature eggs per cycle, by age
  4. Total cost estimate based on cycle count
  5. When a second cycle is cheaper than the first
  6. How cycles differ from one another
  7. Declining effectiveness after 38
  8. Associated