Why British women are freezing their eggs abroad episode artwork

EPISODE · Jul 3, 2025 · 18 MIN

Why British women are freezing their eggs abroad

from Science Weekly · host The Guardian

The number of women choosing to freeze their eggs has increased sharply, according to figures from the UK’s Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA). The number deciding to embark on the process abroad also appears to be rising. Madeleine Finlay speaks to the Guardian journalist Lucy Hough, who recently travelled to Brussels to freeze her eggs. She explains what prompted her decision and how she feels now that the procedure is over. Madeleine also hears from Joyce Harper, a professor of reproductive science at University College London, about what the freezing of eggs involves and why the small odds of success could be driving women to travel to do it. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/sciencepod

Episode metadata supplied by the publisher feed · Published Jul 3, 2025

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Why British women are freezing their eggs abroad

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