Fertility Insights | Egg Freezing | Fertility Support

16 September 2026

Egg Freezing for Athletes: Why More Sportswomen Are Choosing to Preserve Their Fertility

An athlete's career often peaks during her most fertile years. This month, England rugby captain Meg Jones called for fertility support in sport, here's what egg freezing involves and how it can support elite athletes.

For elite athletes, the physical demands of their sport can have important implications for both reproductive and general health. Years of intensive training and competition can place significant demands on the body, while the timing of a sporting career may also mean that family planning is postponed until later in life. This can create a particular challenge for athletes, as the period during which they are able to pursue their sport at the highest level may overlap with the years of greatest reproductive potential . That overlap became impossible to ignore this month: on 10 September 2026, England rugby captain Meg Jones told BBC Sport she wants Red Roses players to have access to fertility support and egg freezing, days after it emerged Chelsea Women had set up a fund covering their entire squad's egg-freezing costs.

This guide answers the questions we're asked most by athletes considering it — what the process actually involves, whether it affects training, and what the data says about success.

What's happening in UK sport right now?

Fertility support for sportswomen has moved from a quiet, individual decision into a live policy conversation across UK and international sport in the space of a few weeks.

On 10 September 2026, England women's rugby captain Meg Jones told BBC Sport she wants Red Roses players to have access to fertility support and egg freezing, revealing she had already visited a clinic herself to have her own egg count checked with her fiancée. “Why should my opportunity to have a family be taken away from me because I want to pursue my career?” she said. The Rugby Football Union responded that it already offers comprehensive maternity and parental policies — including a week of paid leave per treatment cycle — and is “open to exploring how that support can evolve,” with discussions understood to be ongoing about a dedicated fertility treatment policy.

Her comments followed news that Chelsea Women had become the first Women's Super League club to fund fertility treatment for its players. Reported by The Observer, the fund is large enough for the entire 27-player squad to freeze their eggs if they choose to, and can also be put towards IVF, smear tests, contraception or menstrual-cycle consultations. The Observer reported that the treatments are deliberately not scheduled during a player's peak season, as they “require a fair bit of effort, concentration and time off work.”

England cricket captain Nat Sciver-Brunt gives a sense of how manageable that timing can be in practice: she missed a single T20 match against Pakistan in 2024 to freeze her eggs, and was back playing the following week.

The trend isn't limited to England. The Royal Spanish Football Federation is expected to announce a similar fund for its World Cup-winning squad, and both the WNBA (reimbursing players up to $20,000 a year, capped at $60,000 across a career) and the WTA (which now protects a player's ranking during fertility leave) have introduced comparable policies. Not everyone is convinced it's the right fix, though: Spanish Olympic triple jumper Ana Peleteiro-Compaoré Brión has questioned whether institutional funding for egg freezing risks becoming an expectation rather than a genuine choice, arguing sport should adapt its structures to motherhood rather than asking women to adapt their fertility timing to sport.

It's a useful tension to hold in mind. Egg freezing “is not fertility insurance” — age remains the biggest single factor, and governing bodies need to help players understand their options rather than treat freezing as a guarantee.

What is egg freezing?

Egg freezing (oocyte cryopreservation) is a medical procedure that involves collecting and freezing a woman or person with ovaries’ eggs for potential use at a later stage, when they are ready to try to conceive. Freezing eggs at a younger age, when eggs generally have greater fertility potential, provides an opportunity to preserve reproductive options for the future. Unlike a natural cycle, where typically only one egg is ovulated and the remaining follicles undergo atresia, egg freezing allows a cohort of eggs to mature. These eggs are then collected and frozen using a technique called vitrification. It is important to note that freezing eggs from one cycle does not use up eggs from future cycles, nor does it affect natural fertility — it simply optimises the opportunities with the eggs that would have otherwise been lost that cycle.

Why are female athletes choosing to freeze their eggs?

For athletes, freezing their eggs is often about the same thing it is for any woman - buying more time and keeping their options open. But elite sport brings its own pressures. Training and competition schedules don’t stop for biology, and the physical demands of an Olympic or World Championship cycle can make starting a family feel even harder to navigate. For some athletes, egg freezing may offer a way to preserve their fertility while allowing them to focus on their sporting careers in the present. It doesn’t guarantee a future pregnancy or remove the uncertainties around fertility, but for some, it can help take away some of the pressure of having to make career and family decisions at the same time.

Does ovarian stimulation affect training or performance?

This is the question every athlete asks first, and it deserves an honest answer: individual response varies, and it should be discussed directly with both your clinical team and your coach before you start. Stimulation involves 10–12 days of hormone injections, which some women tolerate with minimal noticeable effects, while others may experience bloating, fatigue or mood changes. Modifications to training may be recommended during the egg freezing cycle, and for a short period after the egg collection. These recommendations are individualised to your particular circumstances.

When considering egg freezing, the practical answer for most athletes is timing. This may mean planning a cycle around a lower-intensity block, the off-season, or a rehab period, with a treatment coordinator who understands a competition calendar and can flex appointments around it. England cricket captain Nat Sciver-Brunt's experience is a useful real-world data point here: she missed one T20 match to freeze her eggs in 2024 and was back playing the following week — evidence that, planned well, a cycle doesn't have to mean a long absence from competition.

What does the egg freezing process involve?

The process runs in five stages, typically over one menstrual cycle:

Fertility Health Assessment — an AMH blood test and transvaginal ultrasound (sometimes called a Fertility MOT) to assess ovarian reserve and give a personalised expectation of egg yield.
Doctor Consultation — a review of your medical history and test results, followed by a personalised treatment plan designed around your training and competition schedule, with a dedicated treatment coordinator to support you throughout.
Monitoring — 10–12 days of ovarian stimulation with regular scans to track your response to treatment. Once the follicles have developed to a size where they are likely to contain mature eggs, a final trigger injection is given to help the eggs complete their final stage of maturation
Retrieval day — Approximately 36 hours after the trigger injection, the eggs are collected under ultrasound guidance, using light sedation. The procedure typically takes around 20-30 minutes.
Vitrification — the eggs are frozen by embryologists and stored in liquid nitrogen, in a facility with continuous monitoring, until needed.

What's the best age to freeze your eggs?

Generally, the younger you are, the better the chances of freezing a good number of healthy eggs, but there’s no one-size-fits-all answer. Your age is just one part of the picture. An AMH test and an ultrasound scan can give you a better understanding of your ovarian reserve and help you decide whether egg freezing is right for you. Women are born with all the eggs they'll ever have (1–2 million at birth, down to around 500,000 by puberty), and both egg quantity and quality decline with age, more sharply after 35. By the late 20s, roughly three-quarters of a woman's eggs are chromosomally normal; by the early 40s, that figure falls to under 10%. Freezing earlier generally means more eggs collected per cycle and a higher proportion that are chromosomally normal,but plenty of women freeze successfully in their late 30s and early 40s, particularly across more than one cycle.

How many frozen eggs do you actually need?

As a general guide, of 10 eggs frozen, around 8–9 survive the thaw, 3–4 go on to fertilise and reach cleavage stage, and 1–2 reach blastocyst stage — the point at which an embryo can be transferred for a chance at pregnancy. This is why clinics often talk about “number of eggs” rather than “one cycle”: more than one round of stimulation may be needed to bank enough eggs for a realistic chance of a future family, and your clinical team should give you a personalised estimate based on your own personal circumstances. .

What do the success rates actually look like?

At London Women’s Clinic we have supported thousands of patients since 2008. Our own published data from 2020 to 2025 shows that success rates from frozen eggs are equivalent to those of fresh eggs in IVF treatment. We’ve completed 6,557 elective egg freezing cycles, freezing more than 58,480 mature eggs for future use.

What changed with UK storage law?

Since 1 July 2022, UK law allows eggs, sperm and embryos to be stored for up to 55 years for your own treatment, provided you reconsent every 10 years. In practice, this means freezing your eggs in your twenties or early thirties gives you more time to use your frozen eggs later in life.

How does LWC support athletes through treatment?

Every patient starts with a free introduction consultation with a trained treatment coordinator, who supports you throughout treatment. . Your coordinator will help you to arrange your tests and appointments around your specific needs. Each cycle includes a complimentary counselling session, while the patient phone App makes it easy to stay on top of your treatment, with a personalised calendar, medication reminders and direct messaging with your clinic team.

Egg Freezing & Sport FAQs

Does egg freezing guarantee a baby later? No — it improves future options, but doesn't guarantee a live birth. As Jo Perkins of the Well HQ consultancy, which advises the Women's Super League on women's health, has put it, egg freezing “is not fertility insurance” — age at freezing, number of eggs collected and individual factors all matter, which is why an AMH test and consultation come before any treatment plan.
Will egg freezing affect my next competition or training block? It shouldn't need to, with the right planning. The stimulation and monitoring phase runs for 10–12 days, with a short easier-training period after retrieval. Most athletes plan a cycle around a lower-intensity block or the off-season.
Is egg freezing painful? Most women describe mild discomfort rather than pain — some bloating during stimulation, and mild cramping after retrieval. Side effects and risks (including OHSS and, rarely, ovarian torsion) are discussed and monitored throughout by the clinical team.
How much does egg freezing cost? Costs vary by clinic and treatment plan — speak to our team for current pricing and any package options.

Discover our egg freezing costs

Ready to find out where you stand?

A Fertility Health Assessment — an AMH blood test, ultrasound scan, and consultation with one of our fertility specialists — is the fastest way to understand your own ovarian reserve before deciding whether, or when, to freeze. Book a free introduction consultation with a London Women's Clinic treatment coordinator to talk through what it would look like around your training and competition schedule.

Book your free consultation →

All of our blog posts are written, edited, or produced by the London Women's Clinic Content Team. This is a collaboration between our expert writers, health editors, and the leading researchers and senior doctors at our Harley Street clinic.

‘We we under the care of Canterbury LWC for all scans and blood tests and Bromley for egg collection and transfers. The team and Canterbury were particularly amazing, so supportive and reassuring throughout. No question was ever too much, they treated you as individuals and were caring and compassionate throughout the process. The receptionist were lovely, knew you from the offset by name, remembered you which makes a difficult process so much easier when you are treated as an individual. We were NHS funded and I never felt we were treated any different to private patients. The nursing staff at Bromley were also brilliant, I always felt so looked after through some really tough and emotional procedures. We were under the care of Dr Uppal who was excellent, explained everything clearly, gave us options and listened to our concerns. Would highly recommend. Currently 26 weeks pregnant ☺️’

Rose S

25 October 2026, LWC Canterbury

‘We are incredibly grateful to London Women’s Clinic, Harrow, for helping make our dream of becoming parents come true. We are now blessed with a beautiful baby! A special thank you to Dr Gill for the care, guidance and support throughout our IVF journey, and to Carla and Maria for making the entire process smooth and reassuring. We had a wonderful experience and will always be thankful to the whole team. Highly recommend! ❤️’

P S

23 October 2026, LWC Harrow

‘LWC are fantastically supportive at every stage of your journey. They try to be as flexible as possible with appointments, giving good advice about supporting yourself (and partners) as you prepare for different procedures. It is a tough journey but Louise, Rute, Dr Arthi, Trianni, Dr Bishista and Ashley are incredibly supportive. Highly recommend them to anyone considering or needing fertility support.’

S W

23 October 2026, LWC Cambridge

‘I honestly cannot fault Kind IVF. From start to finish, I have been so incredibly impressed with the care, compassion and professionalism shown by the entire team. Going through IVF can be such an emotional and overwhelming journey, but they have made the whole experience feel so much more reassuring and positive. Every step of the way, I have felt cared for, listened to and supported. The team have been amazing at answering questions, putting my mind at ease and making sure I felt comfortable throughout the process. You can really tell how much they care about their patients, and that makes such a huge difference during a journey that can be so personal and emotional. I am so grateful to everyone at Kind IVF for everything they have done for us. Choosing them has been one of the best decisions we have made, and I genuinely couldn’t recommend them enough to anyone considering IVF. The standard of care has been outstanding, and I cannot thank them enough for helping us on this journey. ❤️ Thank you, Kind IVF, for being so amazing!’

Georgia Burt

22 October 2026, LWC Tunbridge Wells

‘I highly recommend the London Women's Clinic Brentwood. The staff were very supportive, patient, and always available to answer questions. They guided me through an emotional process with clear explanations and genuine care. The staff were always available and happy to help.’

S Begum

21 October 2026, LWC Brentwood

‘Choosing an IVF clinic is such a big decision and I'm so incredibly glad that we chose this one. IVF can be such an emotional and overwhelming journey but having a clinic that offers so much support and genuinely cares for you makes such a difference. The care and kindness that we have received has been exceptional. We can't thank LWC Brentwood enough ❤️’

Laura Keary

21 October 2026, LWC Brentwood

‘I honestly can’t thank London Women’s Clinic enough for helping me achieve my lifelong dream of becoming a mum. It wasn’t an easy journey, but the team were absolutely fantastic and supported me every step of the way. Their kindness, care and reassurance made such a difference during what was a really emotional and challenging time. I always felt supported and in safe hands. A special thank you to Carla, Ana-Maria and Dr Goswami. You have all been absolutely fantastic and I am so grateful for everything you have done for me. I’ll never forget the support and care you have shown me during such an important and emotional journey. Thank you all from the bottom of my heart for helping me achieve something I have wanted for as long as I can remember. It means more to me than words can say. I would recommend London Women’s Clinic to anyone going through their own fertility journey.’

Sarah

21 October 2026, LWC Harrow

‘We started our treatment in July, and I have had a very positive experience with this clinic. Lorraine on reception especially made me feel like nothing was too much trouble and always knew me by name which is such a nice personal touch, especially at such a sensitive time. Along with Dr Safwat Ashour he always recommended the best treatment for us and just had such a kind caring attitude towards us while explaining our options and being very honest with us too. One of the nurses (so sorry I can’t remember your name) she only recently started in July and I felt so at home with her and cared for. To finish off we are currently pregnant with our IVF miracle all thanks you this clinic. Thank you all so much, no thanks would ever be enough for the gift you have given us!’

Sophie Jay

21 October 2026, LWC Darlington

‘Very professional and very welcoming, and very clean I was given time to feel relaxed and I didn't feel like I had to rush this made me feel very comfortable.’

Ryan Harmer

21 October 2026, LWC Brighton

‘My wife and I have had a brilliant experience with LWC throughout our fertility journey. We always felt listened to, supported, and in control of the decisions we were making. Our PCC Suzanna, Dr Verstraete, and the nursing team were consistently friendly, responsive, and knowledgeable, which made navigating the shared motherhood process feel so much easier. We’re incredibly grateful for the care and support we received.’

Megan Nelkon

20 October 2026, LWC Harley Street

‘I’ve had a great experience with the clinic so far. From the very beginning, I’ve felt incredibly well cared for and supported throughout my egg freezing journey. Daenira on reception is always so lovely, welcoming and helpful, and Liv, my nurse, has been fantastic! She’s made me feel comfortable, reassured and well looked after at every step. Dr Wade has also been absolutely brilliant and I have complete confidence in the care and guidance I’ve received. I would highly recommend this clinic to anybody considering egg freezing.’

Saffy

20 October 2026, LWC Oxford

‘The most amazing experience with the clinic from start to end Nothing is to much for them They will answer every Question Worry or concern no matter how big or small, My experience and care they have shown in one of the hardest times and most worrying experiences they were there every single step of the way, I honestly couldn’t thank every member I’ve dealt with anymore and would recommend this clinic to anyone thinking about it , hardest decision but best decision every made and all the staff here made this possible for me you are all amazing caring people And I thank you from the bottom of my heart 🙏🏼🩷’

Stephanie

18 October 2026, LWC Brentwood

‘I truly feel blessed and thankful to God that we are in such a wonderful place and in such caring hands during one of the most precious journeys of our lives. The clinic has been outstanding throughout my treatment, making the entire journey feel as smooth as possible. The whole team at the Brentwood clinic is absolutely amazing, everyone is so warm, welcoming and supportive. The treatment has been incredible so far, and we are extremely satisfied with the care, support, and overall service we have received throughout our journey. Fingers crossed, I truly believe that the best news is just around the corner! ❤️🤞 I would wholeheartedly recommend Brentwood clinic for the care and support they provide in parenthood journey.’

Harika

14 October 2026, LWC Brentwood

‘London Women’s Clinic, Reading were fantastic and Nurse Nicky was such a supportive and reassuring professional. Thank you for journeying with me Nicky!’

Sope Adekola

14 October 2026, LWC Reading

‘Where to start… Fertility treatment is the last thing any of us expect to need. But if you find yourself on this journey, Brentwood London Women’s Clinic is where you want to be. Carina’s warm welcome sets the tone the moment you arrive, and every single nurse is wonderful, kind, calm, and reassuring. It’s a complicated and sometimes difficult road, but they walk it beside you. We’ve experienced both joy and heartache here, and through every moment we’ve felt cared for and supported. They truly get to know you, and the care feels personal and bespoke. Today we have our precious 3-year-old, and we will forever be thankful to this amazing team. They are everything you could hope for kind, knowledgeable, and genuinely there for you. We couldn’t recommend them more.’

Sarah Tidey

13 October 2026, LWC Brentwood

‘We honestly can’t thank London Women’s Clinic in Brentwood enough for everything they have done and continue to do for us. They helped us create our now 3 year old, and we are incredibly grateful to be back with them on our journey to hopefully have another little one. Angela and Katie are truly incredible nurses. They go above and beyond to make you feel comfortable, listened to and supported every step of the way. They take the time to explain the process, answer any questions and put your mind at ease, making what can sometimes be an overwhelming and emotional journey feel that little bit easier. It means so much to be cared for by people who genuinely seem to care about you and your family, rather than just seeing you as another patient. Their kindness, compassion and reassurance make such a difference, and we feel very lucky to have them supporting us again. We will always be grateful to London Women’s Clinic for helping us bring our little girl into the world, and we have every hope that they will help us grow our family once more. We couldn’t recommend the team highly enough. Thank you, Angela, Katie and everyone at the Brentwood clinic, for being such a special part of our journey. ❤️ Also a special mention for the smiley face in the reception. Carina, you are great!!’

bethan philp

13 October 2026, LWC Brentwood

‘Came here after my treatment at LWC Darlington as I needed to be part of the failed implantation team. The care and communication was second to none. It was everything and more, no question to my coordinator was never too much. They were extremely accommodating when I had to travel from up north multiple times and were always happy to let me have my then 2 year old son come to monitoring appointments. I’m grateful for their expertise in failed implantation as my 3rd egg collection was successful and my fresh transfer worked first time & I’ve just gave birth to my second LWC baby in September 2026. Would always recommend LWC - especially London Bridge / Harley Street.’

Jeni J

13 October 2026, LWC London Bridge

‘Great experience. Very kind and supportive.’

Jesylin Luka

12 October 2026, LWC Reading

‘My experience with London Women's Clinic Brighton has been wonderful so far. The staff are kind and patient, as well as exceptionally knowledgeable. I have had all my questions answered (and have been encouraged to ask more whenever!), and I feel assured that I'm receiving transparent, evidence-based advice.’

Jess Smith

12 October 2026, LWC Brighton

‘Excellent service, highly recommend!’

Lenka Kalafutova

10 October 2026, LWC Tunbridge Wells

‘Lovely people. Truly!’

Eve Reiser

8 October 2026, LWC Reading

‘My experience was positive throughout. The team at the clinic was friendly at every visit. Suzanna was always very responsive and kind and happy to answer any questions. Dr Verstraete was always empathetic and knowledgeable! Most importantly: the outcome is a healthy baby :)’

Mir

8 October 2026, LWC Harley Street

‘Thank you so much Dr Naware, Linda and Emmanuella’

Moyo T

7 October 2026, LWC London Bridge

‘Going through the IVF journey is always going to be difficult, but the team at London Women's Clinic in Harrow have made it the best experience possible. We've had constant support, check ins, and they have really got to know us and understand our concerns and issues. No question has ever felt like a silly one, and they've been incredibly accommodating when we've needed it too. The whole team have been amazing, but in particular Carla, Ana-Marie and Dr Goswami. We actually relocated away from Harrow 12 months ago, but have continued to go back to the team there as we've built such a great relationship with them, and their support through such a difficult journey has meant the world to us. I can't recommend them highly enough. And probably the important bit for anyone considering going to them - we're expecting our first baby in February!’

Emma Dunning

6 October 2026, LWC Harrow

‘I’d like to say a massive thankyou to everyone at the Cambridge London clinic there all loverly, with out you guys we wouldn’t be were we are today with our little journey of having a baby 😊 not only did they help us with our pregnancy but the amount of support they have given us has been incredible. We had to have a frozen ivf and as you can imagine we were so nervous but we have been lucky enough for ours to work first time and now my partner is 7+weeks 😊 the whole way through this process has been nothing but support and kindness all members of the team that we had dealings with our amazing and it’s actually kind of sad to be leaving but we would love to thank you all from the bottom of our hearts for everything’s that you guys have done for us. If your looking at going through ivf process London clinic Cambridge is the best place for this. Again thankyou so much guys we will miss you all ❤️ (April + Ricky )’

Ricky Watson

5 October 2026, LWC Cambridge