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Egg Freezing in Colombia: Complete Guide

đź“– 10 min read đź“… Updated January 2025

Egg freezing gives you options. Whether you're focused on career, haven't found the right partner, or simply aren't ready for motherhood yet, freezing your eggs preserves your fertility at today's biological age.

In the United States, egg freezing costs $10,000-$15,000 per cycle — often putting it out of reach. In Colombia, the same procedure costs $3,000-$6,000, making fertility preservation accessible to more women.

Egg Freezing Costs: Colombia vs US

Item Colombia United States
Egg Freezing Cycle $3,000 - $5,000 $8,000 - $12,000
Medications $1,000 - $2,000 $3,000 - $6,000
Annual Storage $300 - $600/year $500 - $1,000/year
Total First Year $4,300 - $7,600 $11,500 - $19,000

Even adding flights ($400-$800) and 10-12 nights of accommodation ($500-$900), you'll save $5,000-$10,000 compared to freezing in the US.

Who Should Consider Egg Freezing?

Age 28-35

Ideal window. Egg quality is still high, and you're giving yourself a meaningful fertility extension.

Age 35-38

Still worthwhile but more urgent. May need multiple cycles to bank enough eggs.

Career Focused

Not ready for children but want to preserve the option without a ticking clock.

Haven't Found a Partner

Want biological children someday but haven't met the right person yet.

The Egg Freezing Process

Before Your Trip (2-4 weeks)

Complete baseline testing at home: blood work (AMH, FSH, estradiol) and a transvaginal ultrasound to count antral follicles. Share results with your Colombian clinic for treatment planning.

In Colombia (10-14 days)

After Retrieval

Eggs are vitrified (flash-frozen) and stored in liquid nitrogen. They remain viable for years — possibly decades. When you're ready to use them, you'll return for IVF (or ship them to a clinic closer to home).

How Many Eggs Should You Freeze?

General guidelines based on age:

Under 35: 10-15 eggs for ~70-80% chance of one live birth

35-37: 15-20 eggs for similar odds

38-40: 20-25+ eggs recommended

Most women retrieve 8-15 eggs per cycle. You may need 1-2 cycles to reach your target number.

Why Colombia for Egg Freezing?

60% Cost Savings

The price difference is significant. For the cost of one US cycle, you could do two cycles in Colombia and still have money left over.

Combine with a Trip

Unlike IVF (which requires rest after transfer), egg freezing has minimal recovery. After retrieval, you can explore MedellĂ­n or Cartagena. Many women turn the medical trip into a memorable vacation.

Same Quality Care

Colombian clinics use the same vitrification technology as US centers. Your eggs are just as safe and viable as they would be frozen anywhere in the world.

Planning Your Trip

Timeline

Where to Stay

Book accommodation near your clinic. In Medellín, El Poblado is ideal — safe, walkable, with excellent restaurants and cafes to enjoy during your stay. A comfortable Airbnb runs $50-70/night.

Work Considerations

Many women work remotely during the stimulation phase (monitoring appointments take 1-2 hours). Plan to take 2-3 days off around retrieval for rest.

Ready to Preserve Your Options?

We'll connect you with top Colombian clinics and help you plan your egg freezing trip from start to finish.

Get Free Consultation

Frequently Asked Questions

How long can eggs stay frozen?

Indefinitely, in theory. Eggs frozen via vitrification have been successfully thawed and used after 10+ years. There's no known expiration date.

What are the success rates?

Egg survival after thaw: 80-90%. Fertilization rate: 70-80%. Live birth rate depends heavily on age at freezing — eggs frozen under 35 have significantly better outcomes than those frozen at 40.

Is egg freezing painful?

The daily injections are manageable (small needles, minimal discomfort). Retrieval is done under sedation — you won't feel anything. Mild cramping afterward is normal and resolves within 1-2 days.

Can I ship my eggs home later?

Yes. Frozen eggs can be shipped to other clinics via specialized cryoshipping services. However, some women choose to return to Colombia for IVF since it's significantly cheaper.

What if I never use them?

You can keep them in storage, donate them to research, donate them to another woman, or have them discarded. The choice is yours.

Read more: IVF Cost Guide | IVF in MedellĂ­n | Choosing a Clinic

The Egg Freezing Process Explained

Egg freezing follows similar steps to the first half of IVF. You take injectable medications for eight to fourteen days to stimulate your ovaries to produce multiple eggs. During this time, you have regular monitoring appointments to track follicle development through ultrasound and blood tests. When your follicles are ready, you receive a trigger shot to finalize egg maturation. Approximately thirty-six hours later, eggs are retrieved during a brief outpatient procedure under sedation.

Retrieved eggs are evaluated for maturity—only mature eggs can be successfully frozen. Mature eggs undergo vitrification, a rapid-freezing process that prevents ice crystal formation and achieves survival rates of ninety-five percent or higher upon thawing. Your eggs then remain in secure storage in liquid nitrogen until you are ready to use them, whether that is one year or twenty years in the future.

How Many Eggs Should You Freeze?

The number of eggs recommended depends primarily on your age at freezing. Younger eggs have higher quality, meaning fewer are needed for a reasonable chance of future pregnancy. Women under thirty-five might aim for ten to fifteen eggs, while women approaching forty may benefit from twenty or more. Your fertility specialist can provide personalized guidance based on your ovarian reserve testing and family-building goals. Multiple cycles may be recommended to bank sufficient eggs.

Success Rates and Realistic Expectations

Egg freezing success rates depend heavily on age at freezing. Eggs frozen before age thirty-five have the best outcomes, with each egg having roughly a ten percent chance of becoming a baby. This means that fifteen frozen eggs might yield one or two children—reasonable odds, but not a guarantee. Older eggs have lower per-egg success rates. Understanding these statistics helps you make informed decisions about how many eggs to bank and manage expectations for future use.

Why Colombia for Egg Freezing

Colombian clinics offer egg freezing at a fraction of US costs while maintaining excellent quality standards. The savings allow some women to afford multiple cycles when one might be insufficient for their age and goals. The pleasant environment and supportive care make the experience as positive as possible. Many women view the trip as an investment in their future that also provides a meaningful personal experience.

Final Thoughts and Next Steps

Every fertility journey is unique, and what works for one person may not be the right path for another. The most important thing is to gather accurate information, work with experienced professionals who understand your specific situation, and make decisions that align with your values and goals. Dont hesitate to ask questions, seek second opinions, and advocate for yourself throughout the process.

If youre considering treatment in Colombia, start with a virtual consultation to discuss your situation with experienced fertility specialists. There is no obligation—its simply an opportunity to learn more about your options and determine if international treatment might be right for you. Many patients find that taking this first step brings clarity and helps them move forward with confidence, whatever path they ultimately choose.

Remember that seeking fertility treatment takes courage. Whether youre preserving your fertility for the future, trying to conceive now, or exploring options after previous challenges, you are taking proactive steps toward your family-building goals. Support is available at every stage of the journey, and you do not have to navigate this path alone. Reach out, ask questions, and trust that you can handle whatever comes next on your journey to parenthood.

We hope this guide has provided valuable information to help you understand your options and feel more prepared for what lies ahead. Your dreams of building a family are worth pursuing, and modern fertility medicine offers more possibilities than ever before. Take the next step when you are ready—your future family may be closer than you think.