HEALTHIER YOU: Thinking about freezing your eggs?

BY DR. MARGUERITE BRATHWAITE OB-GYN

Research indicates that peak fertility for Black women typically occurs between ages 20 and 30. However, these are often years of significant personal and professional development — pursuing higher education, advancing careers, building financial stability, or simply not yet having met the right partner. As a result, Black women tend to pursue egg freezing at lower rates than other groups. 

Egg freezing, or oocyte cryopreservation, allows women to preserve unfertilized eggs for future use. The process involves retrieving eggs from the ovaries, freezing them at very low temperatures, and storing them until needed. 

The typical timeline is 2–3 weeks and includes:

• Initial consultation
• Ovarian stimulation (10–12 days)
• Egg retrieval 

Additional research is needed to better understand the factors contributing to lower utilization of egg freezing among Black women, but socioeconomic barriers likely play a significant role, along with more limited access to information about the available options. Higher rates of uterine fibroids among Black women further complicate reproductive planning, as fibroids can affect fertility, pregnancy outcomes, and long-term family planning. 

Women’s Innovative Care is here for you, and we encourage you to make an appointment by calling (702) 413-7740 or visiting us at 851 South Rampart Blvd. Suite 165 in Las Vegas.