24 June 2023

Latest official figures on UK fertility treatments reaffirm the effect of female age on outcomes

The HFEA’s latest 2023 report, which records all fertility treatments performed each year in UK clinics, reveals record numbers of patients freezing their eggs for future use.

Egg freezing, the reliable fertility preservation procedure affording women the opportunity to put their fertility on hold is now the UK’s fastest growing fertility treatment, according to the Human Fertilisation & Embryology Authority (HFEA), the UK regulator. The HFEA’s latest report (HFEA, 2023. Fertility treatment 2021: preliminary trends and figures), which records all fertility treatments performed each year in UK clinics, reveals record numbers of patients freezing their eggs for future use, with 4215 identified in 2021 compared with 2447 in 2019, a rise of 64%.

The nation-wide upturn seen in egg freezing is reflected in our own figures at London Women’s Clinic, where women turning to egg freezing continue to increase steadily. More and more young women, for reasons defined by their age and personal circumstances, are choosing to freeze their eggs until they feel right for pregnancy and a family.

However, the data also show that the numbers of women donating eggs for treatments in women unable to produce their own eggs declined a little (-6%) between 2020 and 2021. Our Freeze and Share programme at partner clinic, London Egg Bank aims to address this decline by providing free egg freezing in return for a donation of half the number of eggs collected to the egg bank for egg donation treatment.

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The figures continue to emphasise the effect of female age on the outcome of all fertility treatments – a heavily important implication for those considering egg freezing. Thus, while the average overall IVF pregnancy rate with fresh embryo transfers increased from 10% in 1991 to 29% in 2021, there was also huge variation according to female patient age. Those aged 18-34 had the highest pregnancy rate (per embryo transferred) at 41% in 2021, but those aged over 40 recorded much lower rates (5-15%). It was also found that the average age of IVF patients increased to 36 years in 2021, while the overall average age of natural childbirth was 30.9 years.

These figures reflect a generally rising age for childbirth but also suggest an age-related increase in infertility, as more and more women and couples defer their plans for a family. There’s an indication in the HFEA figures that many women as they get older are turning to IVF in response to their own inability to conceive naturally. Studies report unequivocally that female fertility begins its decline to the menopause at around the age of 35.

The greatest increase in IVF use was found among single patients (44%) and those in female same-sex relationships (33%). Significantly, both patient groups, who represent a core treatment specialty at London Women’s Clinic, are rarely defined as ‘infertile’ but are part of a growing body of patients for whom ‘infertility’ treatments are appropriate. Our results of single women and lesbian couples at London Women's Clinic (LWC) between 2004 and 2016, have been the subject of a 2021 comprehensive publication spanning 13 years of retrospective research into 3333 women (45% single, 43% from same-sex and 12% from heterosexual couples), (Linara-Demakakou et al., 2021).

The HFEA report noted that ‘very few single and same sex patients qualify for NHS funding’, while generally recording a decline of 4000 fewer IVF cycles funded through the NHS between 2019 and 2021 - a 17% reduction of NHS funded cycles in England, 36% in Wales and 1% in Scotland. ‘So although more people than ever are having fertility treatment, our data shows that more people than ever are now also paying for it,’ said the report.

Age remains a defining factor in UK fertility treatment, and one reason why egg freezing is so increasingly popular. Celebrities today are using their platforms to speak out on the impact age has on a woman’s fertility status, including Jennifer Anniston who missed the boat on egg freezing at a younger age and Priyanka Chopra taking the advice of her obstetrician-gynaecologist mother to freeze her eggs in her early 30s. This process requires a significant commitment from our fully conversant embryologists, responsible for the safe long-term storage of oocytes and embryos.

At London Women's Clinic, we advise freezing eggs as early as possible, ideally during a woman’s mid-20s to early 30s, as after the age of 35 egg quality and egg quantity both begin their decline, evident in an increase in genetic abnormalities and a decline in ovarian reserve. The former is usually expressed in chromosome irregularities while the latter is the natural exhaustion of follicles as the ovary makes its steady progress to menopause.

The message here for egg-freezers is that age - and particularly the age of egg - is a crucial factor in determining success. We see this most clearly in figures for egg donation, where HFEA data (HFEA, 2022. Trends in egg, sperm and embryo donation 2020) shows comparable birth rates in different age groups of recipient patient, whether in her 30s or 40s. It’s the age of egg which matters, not the age of the recipient. Our own results from vitrified donor eggs in different age groups, are captured in our recent study noting factors predicting clinical outcomes at London Egg Bank, (Pataia et al., 2021).

Want to know more?

If you are considering egg freezing visit London Women's Clinic
If you are interested in our egg donation services or Freeze and Share programme please see London Egg Bank

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 have two beautiful children - our family wouldn't exist without LWC Brentwood. Can't recommend them highly enough; IVF is an emotional rollercoaster regardless of your journey and we were supported at every step. Pricing is transparent and easy to understand, with payment plans available that made accessing any treatment and medication very flexible and affordable. The clinic became such a part of our lives for that short time, the care and support is so important and LWC Brentwood were brilliant. Maybe we will see them again for number 3!’

Victoria Hayman

10 November 2026, LWC Brentwood

‘I would like to express my heartfelt thanks to the entire team for supporting me throughout my IVF journey. I am delighted to share that I had a positive pregnancy test following my very first IVF cycle fresh embryo transfer, and I am now 9 weeks pregnant! The staff at the LWC Colchester satellite clinic are very supportive, approachable and always do their best to help you at every stage of the journey. I would definitely recommend LWC Colchester to anyone considering fertility treatment. A special thank you to Dr Timea Kovats, a highly experienced, knowledgeable and to the wonderful staff Jackie, Annette, Tracey. Their excellent guidance, expertise, care and supportive approach played a significant role in making my first IVF cycle successful. I am truly grateful for their dedication, encouragement and support throughout this journey. I am equally grateful to all the staff at Colchester satellite clinic and the London main clinic for their care and support throughout the entire process. Thank you once again for helping us achieve such a special milestone in our lives. We will always be grateful for your support! ❤️’

jigu

10 November 2026, LWC Colchester

‘Friendly, experienced and professional team. Supported throughout the entire process and would highly recommend.’

Mizzee West

10 November 2026, LWC Brighton

‘The nursing team are so friendly and so supportive. Made everything so much better and easier to go through egg freezing.’

Megan Godber

10 November 2026, LWC Brighton

‘We had a great experience as the team here are very knowledgeable and caring and they made us feel taken care of throughout! Big shout out to Rute & Trianni for their care and support 😊’

Chiamaka Nelson

9 November 2026, LWC Cambridge

‘The team here are very kind and helpful and made the journey completely painless! They kept us informed throughout the process and were always responsive when we had questioned’

Aruna Nelson

9 November 2026, LWC Cambridge

‘They've given us wonderful service very easy to be around. Very good communication, and very good at helping us out with everything they've done so far.’

Jessica Norman

9 November 2026, LWC Oxford

‘We had a fantastic experience with LWC, Dr Rimington’s passion and expertise were second to none and we strongly believe that he is the reason for our success. All the staff were lovely, helpful and kind - we will definitely use LWC again’

Hannah Hale

9 November 2026, LWC Brighton

‘I honestly cannot recommend this fertility clinic highly enough. From the very beginning, the care, compassion and support we received were absolutely exceptional. Going through fertility treatment is an incredibly emotional journey, with so many ups and downs, but the team made us feel supported, listened to and genuinely cared for every step of the way. Nothing ever felt like too much trouble, and every member of staff we encountered was kind, understanding, professional and reassuring. What really stood out was how personal the experience felt. We never felt like just another number. The team took the time to answer our questions, put our minds at ease and guide us through what can sometimes feel like an overwhelming process. We are incredibly grateful for everything they have done for us and will never forget the part they have played in helping us grow our family. We now have our little miracles, and we couldn't be more thankful. If you're considering fertility treatment, I would wholeheartedly recommend LWC. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for helping make our dream come true! ❤️’

Emma Hayman

8 November 2026, LWC Brentwood

‘Had a really positive experience visiting the Oxford Clinic. Nurse Manager Liv, took time to make me us feel at ease and explained how the appointment will go. Thank you!’

Kinga Arcana-Jones

7 November 2026, LWC Oxford

‘Everyone my partner and I have interacted with at the Oxford clinic has been warm, friendly and knowledgeable. They’ve really helped make a very daunting process easier to go through and I’m very glad we chose this clinic!’

Jess Palmer

5 November 2026, LWC Oxford

‘Very friendly staff and a lovely inclusive environment, had a wonderful experience here. Highly recommend for anyone looking at fertility preservation.’

T Ilagan

5 November 2026, LWC Oxford

‘As an LGBTQ couple we found LWC Colchester incredibly supportive, no question was too much. They were friendly and welcoming, with modern facilities, and made your journey feel very personalised. We would highly recommend them for your fertility journey.’

Jasmine Colman

5 November 2026, LWC Colchester

‘A massive thank you to Dom and Dr Vasquez for all of their help throughout the process!’

James Purcell

5 November 2026, LWC Tunbridge Wells

‘Me and my husband can’t thank everyone at London Women’s Clinic enough for all the care and support throughout our recent treatment. Everything went really well, and we are so grateful to all the doctors and the entire team for looking after me. A special thank you to Mimi, Dr Barbara, Caroline, Trina and Elena from Embryology team and the Theatre Team - Rose, Martin and Amy F. Everyone was so kind, helpful and reassuring, and it really made a difference. Thank you all for everything. ♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️’

IsadelandCyril

4 November 2026, LWC Harley Street

‘I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude and appreciation to the entire team who supported us throughout our IVF treatment. ❤️ A special thank you to Ana-Maria,our nurse, for her kindness, patience, compassion and professionalism. She was always so caring, understanding and supportive, making us feel reassured and comfortable during such an emotional and challenging journey. We would also like to thank Dr Gill from the bottom of our hearts for his professionalism, dedication, expertise and the confidence he gave us throughout the entire process. IVF is not just a medical treatment; it is an emotional journey filled with hope, challenges and many feelings. Having such wonderful people by our side made everything so much easier. Thank you for your care, support and dedication. We truly appreciate everything you have done for us and would wholeheartedly recommend you to anyone beginning their IVF journey. Thank you for being part of our journey! ❤️’

Alexandru Predescu

3 November 2026, LWC Harrow

‘I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude and appreciation to the entire team who supported us throughout our IVF treatment. ❤️ A special thank you to Ana-Maria,our nurse, for her kindness, patience, compassion and professionalism. She was always so caring, understanding and supportive, making us feel reassured and comfortable during such an emotional and challenging journey. We would also like to thank Dr Gill from the bottom of our hearts for his professionalism, dedication, expertise and the confidence he gave us throughout the entire process. IVF is not just a medical treatment; it is an emotional journey filled with hope, challenges and many feelings. Having such wonderful people by our side made everything so much easier. Thank you for your care, support and dedication. We truly appreciate everything you have done for us and would wholeheartedly recommend you to anyone beginning their IVF journey. Thank you for being part of our journey! ❤️’

Mihaela-Clemansa Predescu

3 November 2026, LWC Harrow

‘Simply Brilliant .’

Ramachandran Jeyamohan

3 November 2026, LWC Colchester

‘I feel so blessed and grateful to have been under the lovely nurse Katie and Dr Kovats’s care. Everyone I encountered in the clinic on or off line was friendly, reassuring, thoughtful, and patient with me. I could feel the genuine care from Katie and Dr Kovats. I feel very reassured knowing they'd be there with me every step of the way; it is a great relief to have medical professionals like them on my side. They listened attentively, were reassuring, explained what I need to know thoroughly and were very approachable. Thank you to Carina, the friendly clinic coordinator, for always answering my emails promptly and being so helpful with all the questions I threw at her. Also, to the lovely staff member with blonde hair (I’m so sorry I forgot your name!) who did the ultrasound scan, thank you for being so attentive and making me feel relaxed. The clinic has a calm, relaxing vibe and is very clean. I have had a wonderful experience with the clinic and would highly recommend the team to anyone on their fertility journey!’

T Yang

3 November 2026, LWC Brentwood

‘We have used London Women's Clinic twice in the last two years for successful egg retrieval and two subsequent frozen embryo transfers. We have always been met with care, compassion and a personal approach. Every step from the initial consultation right through to the 7 week scan has been professional and polite, always accommodating our needs and timings. We can't thank the team enough for giving us such support towards creating our family.’

Lucy Richards

2 November 2026, LWC Tunbridge Wells

‘Myself and my husband owe it all to london womens clinic, they were amazing from start to finish. We previously were under another clinic and decided to make the change due to many reasons and we are so glad we did. They treat everyone as individuals, not everyones fertility journeys are the same. The small team at Colchester make it so personable not to mention how amazing all 4 women are that work here, their knowledge empathy and listening skills simply cannot be found at any other clinic. The list goes on as to why I would recommend LWC but everyone likes a to the point review. They genuinely care they dont treat you like a number and they help you through every hurdle that occurs. Our little boy wouldn't be possible without these 4, each of them play a bigger part than they realise. 💙’

Ellen Turrell

2 November 2026, LWC Colchester

‘Wonderful punch of people, caring, competent, and efficient in all they do. It feels we are all in a mission together and they are invested in the success of our pregnancy. Thank k you 🙏’

Yasmine Mora

30 October 2026, LWC London Bridge

‘I couldn’t speak more highly of the London Women’s Clinic Oxford! From the moment you walk in you are greeted with such a warm welcome. The reception area is bright and welcoming and the receptionist is lovely. All of the staff are so friendly, helpful and polite. Going through this journey can be emotional, so having such a wonderful supportive, caring clinic to visit makes all the difference. Everyone goes above and beyond to make you feel comfortable and looked after. I feel so lucky to have such a lovely team supporting me along the way. Thank you all! 🍀💗’

Louise

30 October 2026, LWC Oxford

‘Incredible service and professionals. They made me feel comfortable and safe the entire journey. Thank you!’

Luciana Lombardi

30 October 2026, LWC Cambridge

‘I had an absolutely amazing experience at LWC from start to finish! There are literally no wait times so we were able to get started pretty much straight away after consultation. The process was seamless, with a lot of flexibility if you need to change appt time. Nurses are amazing and so supportive. Special shout out to Kate and Chris who were so kind and made the whole experience so much better. Also the nurses on the ward were absolutely amazing but I can’t remember their names. I’m now discharged as I’m pregnant from my first try! However I will look forward to returning in the future for my second embryo which is currently frozen 😊’

Kathryn Jessica

27 October 2026, LWC Bromley