Special
How businesses can support female employees going through egg freezing
By Emma Cannon, fertility expert and spokesperson for The IVF Network
Newly published data from the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) reveals a significant surge in the number of women in the UK opting to freeze their eggs.
In 2021, over 4,200 individuals chose to preserve their eggs, marking a substantial increase from the 2,576 individuals who did so in 2019.
This 64 per cent rise highlights that egg and embryo freezing are some of the fastest-growing fertility treatments and why it’s essential for businesses to implement an integrated fertility policy to better support their workforce.
What is egg freezing?
Up until 2012, egg freezing primarily served women dealing with premature infertility or undergoing medical interventions such as chemotherapy. However, in subsequent years, it has become increasingly accessible to a broader range of women.
Individuals choose egg freezing for a variety of personal reasons. Some women may be certain they want to have children but have not yet found the ideal partner. Others may feel that they are not presently emotionally or financially prepared for parenthood and prefer to allocate more time to advance their careers.
The process is similar to the first half of IVF treatment. After a preparation period to stimulate the ovaries, a fine needle attached to a probe is passed through the ovary.
The fluid within each follicle is aspirated and then checked for an egg, which will then be frozen, usually through a technique known as vitrification.
What does an egg freezing procedure involve?
The egg freezing journey begins with an anti-mullerian hormone (AMH) test, which helps to assess a patient’s ovarian reserve, followed by an ultrasound scan which looks at the uterus, ovaries and counts the follicles.
From here the “freezing cycle” begins, on day two or three of the next menstrual cycle the clinic will arrange for a baseline scan to check the uterine lining and to see whether there are any cysts present on the ovaries that may affect treatment.
After being given the go-ahead to continue the egg freezing process, patients are directed to inject themselves with a follicle-stimulating hormone, usually for 10 days, during which time regular scans will take place (every other day) in order to track how the follicles are developing.
Halfway through the cycle another medication is introduced to stop ovulation in order for the eggs to remain within the sac. The collection is then performed once the follicles are big enough that they are likely to contain a mature egg. The whole process in total takes between two-three weeks, depending on the individual.
How can businesses support female employees going through the egg freezing procedure?
- Education and awareness: work with an external organisation/platform or provide in-house resources about egg freezing, including the costs, procedures, and potential risks. This could include hosting seminars, workshops, or informational sessions, helping employees to make informed decisions and in turn feel supported by their employer
- Financial benefits: consider offering a financial benefit/contribution to help cover fertility treatments, including egg freezing.
- Flexible working hours: be flexible when it comes to working hours pre, during and post treatment, often last minute appointments do have to be attended so an option for remote working could also be beneficial. Allow employees to use sick leave or paid time off for these appointments without fear of judgement.
- Mental health support: offer access to counselling/mental health support services. Deciding to undergo any fertility treatment can be emotionally exhausting, and having access to counselling can provide valuable emotional support. This could be achieved by appointing an in-house advisor/officer or option to access external support covered by the employer.
- Open dialogue: encourage open and non-judgmental communication between employees and managers or HR departments. Create a supportive environment where employees feel comfortable discussing their fertility concerns.
- Privacy and confidentiality: ensure that employees’ privacy is respected and any discussions surrounding their treatment is kept as a confidential matter.
- Extended leave policies: beyond maternity or parental leave policies, consider integrating other fertility treatments such as egg freezing to allow for allocated time off covered by the employer.
- Support networks: provide access to support groups or networks where employees can find out more information about egg freezing, what it entails and to connect with like minded individuals.
- Team training: provide training for managers to ensure they understand and empathise with the challenges female employees may face. Encourage managers to be accommodating and supportive.
- Equal opportunities: ensure that decisions related to promotions, raises, and career opportunities are not negatively impacted by an employee’s choice to undergo egg freezing.
In my experience anxiety about not feeling supported at work, and a whole host of other external pressures may impact on the outcome.
In the long run, this results in the individual having to do more freezing cycles to achieve the desired outcome. Being well supported emotionally brings great benefits to an often very difficult process’.
At The IVF Network, we provide information, support and advice, on our website, in our blogs and through our dedicated channel, to help employees to make informed choices, throughout their fertility journey. To find out more, visit theivfnewtwork.com.
Emma Cannon is a fertility expert and spokesperson for the digital platform The IVF Network.
Former US first lady Dr Jill Biden visited Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust and Imperial College London to explore work on women’s health and antimicrobial resistance.
The visit was hosted by professor the Lord Darzi of Denham, who chairs the Fleming Initiative and directs Imperial’s Institute of Global Health Innovation.
Dr Biden, chair of the Milken Institute’s Women’s Health Network, spoke about the impact scientists, clinicians, innovators and investors can have on improving women’s healthcare.
Dr Biden stressed the importance of “collaboration, prevention and education” in improving women’s health globally.
At the museum, Dr Biden and Esther Krofah, executive vice-president of health at the Milken Institute, heard about the worldwide significance of the discovery and the contribution of women who, during wartime Britain, grew penicillin in bedpans to support early experimentation.
The discussion also explored how AMR is a key women’s health issue, with women disproportionately affected in low and middle-income countries, and in high-income settings where women are more likely than men to be prescribed antibiotics.
Dr Biden was shown an architectural model of the Fleming Centre in Paddington, which will bring together research, policy and public engagement to address AMR worldwide.
The second part of the visit brought together Imperial clinicians, researchers and innovators for a roundtable on women’s health priorities, including improving diagnosis, equity in maternity care and support during the menopause transition.
Participants highlighted wide variation in the quality of care for conditions affecting women and called for fairer access to services, with the postcode lottery named as a priority to address.
Professor Tom Bourne, consultant gynaecologist and chair in gynaecology at Imperial’s Department of Metabolism, Digestion and Reproduction, described how AI could improve diagnostic accuracy for conditions such as endometriosis.
Equity emerged as a central theme.
Professor Alison Holmes, professor of infectious diseases at Imperial College London and director of the Fleming Initiative, highlighted persistent gaps in women’s representation in clinical trials, including antibiotic studies, which limits the ability to optimise care and treatments.
Dr Christine Ekechi, consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist at Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, drew on national maternity investigations to underline the importance of valid data, meaningful engagement with affected communities and rebuilding trust.
Menopause and midlife health were also identified as priorities for clinical research.
Professor Waljit Dhillo, consultant endocrinologist and professor of endocrinology and metabolism in Imperial’s Department of Metabolism, Digestion and Reproduction, described a new treatment for hot flushes, including for women unable to take hormone replacement therapy, such as those with a history of breast cancer.
The discussion then turned to bringing innovation into health systems. Innovators shared how data and technology are being used to close gaps in women’s health, while noting challenges in accessing funding to grow and scale.
Dr Helen O’Neill and Dr Deidre O’Neill, co-founders of Hertility Health, described predictive algorithms using self-reported data to help diagnose gynaecological conditions at scale.
Embedded into clinical workflows, the technology could reduce waiting times, identify conditions earlier and improve outcomes. They noted how “we have cures for the rarest genetic conditions but don’t even have the answers to common women’s health issues.”
Dr Lydia Mapstone, Dr Tara O’Driscoll and Dr Sioned Jones, co-founders of BoobyBiome, outlined work creating products that harness beneficial bacteria found in breast milk to support infant health.
By isolating and characterising key microbial strains, BoobyBiome has created synbiotics, combinations of beneficial bacteria and the food that nourishes them, to make these benefits accessible to all babies.
Speakers throughout the visit stressed the need to reduce variation in care quality and outcomes for women, strengthen prevention and education, and address power and equity in women’s health.
Professor the Lord Ara Darzi said: “It was a privilege to welcome Dr Biden and the Milken Institute to Imperial to meet some of the outstanding researchers, clinicians and innovators advancing women’s health.
“Imperial’s unique combination of clinical excellence and world-leading research positions us at the forefront of tackling the biggest health challenges facing society and the UK’s ambition for innovation demands nothing less.
“For too long, the health needs of women and girls across their life course have not received the attention they deserve.
“By working together across borders and disciplines, we can transform equitable access to care, accelerate the detection and treatment of disease, and ultimately improve health outcomes for millions of women in the UK and around the world.”
Fashion, beauty and lifestyle retailers have joined the American Heart Association to raise awareness of heart disease in women.
The Go Red. Shop with Heart. campaign launched at the New York Stock Exchange on 30 January.
Retailers will ask for donations at checkout in February or donate a percentage of proceeds from selected items.
More than four in 10 women in the US have some form of cardiovascular disease, a term for heart and blood vessel conditions such as heart disease and stroke.
Heart disease and stroke kill more women in the US each year than all forms of cancer combined.
Brands taking part include Away, Commando, Lafayette 148, Michael Kors, Reebok, ShopSimon.com, Summersalt, Torrid and White & Warren.
More than 40 other nationwide retailers are also inviting customers to support the organisation this February through its Life Is Why campaign.
Nancy Brown is chief executive officer of the American Heart Association.
She said: “Nearly 1 in 3 women die from cardiovascular disease each year, yet women are still profoundly under-represented in the clinical research, science and medicine that could save their lives.
“Retailers and consumers are uniquely positioned to turn everyday moments into meaningful change through Go Red. Shop with Heart.”
According to the American Heart Association 2026 Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics Update, heart disease is the leading cause of death in the US and stroke is the number four cause of death.
The organisation projects that at least six in 10 US adults will have cardiovascular disease within the next 30 years and related costs are expected to triple.
However, approximately 80 per cent of cardiovascular disease is preventable through lifestyle changes.
Mindy Grossman is a volunteer board member at the American Heart Association and partner and vice chair of Consello.
Grossman said: “Retail has always been a powerful connector.
“Shop with Heart gives our industry a shared platform to lead with purpose and unite consumers in support of heart health.”
Milken Institute has launched the Women’s Health Network digital platform with Velir x Brooklyn Data to speed collaboration and investment across research, care and technology.
The new website creates a hub for members to share content, connect and coordinate projects, with branding and the first public Drupal build delivered by Velir x Brooklyn Data. A launch video premiered on 4 November 2025 at the inaugural steering committee and member luncheon in Washington DC, then featured at the Milken Institute Future of Health Summit.
Phase two is scheduled for February 2026, adding member log-ins for networking and content exchange. Phase three in April 2026 will add advanced collaboration tools and expanded community features.
“This launch represents the type of mission-driven, cross-sector digital work we are incredibly proud to support,” said Eliza Pare, vice-president of client services at Velir. “The Women’s Health Network is poised to transform collaboration in women’s health, and we’re honoured to help build the digital infrastructure that will make that possible.”
Chaired by former first lady Dr Jill Biden, the Women’s Health Network brings together leaders from industry, startups, investors, health systems, patient groups, academia and philanthropy. More than 100 members have joined, with a steering group that includes organisations such as the American Cancer Society, American Heart Association, Amgen, Deloitte, GE Healthcare, Merck, Microsoft, Northwell Health, Organon and others.
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