The Cost of Delay: Mapping the Surge in Canadian Elective Egg Freezing
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Data from the Canadian Fertility and Andrology Society reveals a massive spike in egg retrieval cycles, while high costs and a lack of public funding create a stark accessibility gap.
The data on elective fertility preservation in Canada reveals a sharp upward trajectory over the last decade, as first reported by CBC News, though the ability to access these services remains tied strictly to personal wealth.
According to figures from the Canadian Fertility and Andrology Society (CFAS), the number of retrieval cycles performed for the purpose of banking eggs has surged. In 2013, only 217 such procedures were logged; by 2025, that number climbed to 2,663, as reported by CBC News. This trend is mirrored in the volume of stored genetic material. While only 775 eggs were stored in 2013, reported frozen eggs exceeded 22,000 last year.
Experts cited by CBC News attribute this growth to a combination of career ambitions, a lack of partners, and the rising cost of living. This shift aligns with broader demographic trends reported by Statistics Canada, which notes that the average age of mothers at the time of birth rose from 26.7 in 1976 to 31.6 in 2022.
However, the mechanism for accessing this technology is almost entirely private. Dr. Mohamed Bedaiwy, president of CFAS, told CBC News that the primary barrier is financial, stating that those who cannot afford the procedures are deprived of the opportunity. Public funding for fertility treatments varies by province and generally does not cover elective egg freezing.
Based on reporting from CBC News, the financial requirements for a single cycle are substantial:
* **Procedure Cost:** Typically around $8,000 per cycle. * **Medication:** An additional $2,000 to $8,000. * **Total Estimated Cost:** Dr. Rhonda Zwingerman, chief medical officer at Twig Fertility, estimates a ballpark range of $11,000 to $16,000 for a full cycle including treatment, medication, and one year of storage.
Because the odds of a successful future pregnancy depend on the number of eggs retrieved and the patient's age, some patients undergo multiple cycles, further compounding the cost. Dr. Zwingerman noted that for a woman in her early 30s who freezes 20 to 25 eggs, there is approximately a 75 percent chance of having a baby.
While public health spending has not filled this gap, some private sector interventions have emerged. CBC News reports that some workplace benefits cover cycles or medications, and certain industries—specifically big tech—as well as sports organizations like the WNBA, Chelsea FC women's team, and Spain's soccer federation have introduced measures to cover fertility treatments. Beyond the financial divide, Dr. Zwingerman identified geography as another significant barrier to access.