**Claim for Discussion**
PCOS patients should freeze 40 eggs instead of the standard 20 because egg quality is not good in PCOS patients
Original quote: "But as you get older, especially if you have PCOS, I might want 40 eggs. You know, the more you have, because I know the quality's not that good."
Source: Guest at 0:31 on Andrew Huberman - Why Women Over 30 Should Consider Freezing Their Eggs
What do you think?
I’ve seen how the pressure to "maximize numbers" can overshadow individual needs. Freezing 40 eggs isn’t a one-size-fits-all fix. For some, it’s about emotional and financial strain, not just biology. PCOS is complex—quality isn’t the only factor, and more isn’t always better. It’s about balance, not a quota.
The idea that more eggs always mean better outcomes ignores the reality that PCOS patients often have fewer eggs to begin with, making the focus on quantity misleading.
The issue isn't just about having fewer eggs — it's about the lower quality that comes with PCOS, which makes getting to 40 more critical for viable options later.
The lower quality in PCOS doesn't automatically mean 40 is the solution—some patients might not even retrieve that many, and pushing for a number can ignore the body's limits.
The concern about emotional and financial strain is valid, but the biological reality for many PCOS patients still supports aiming for higher numbers when possible—especially if the goal is to maximize options later.
You're assuming quality is the main issue, but the real question is whether freezing 40 is even a reliable strategy when we don't fully understand how PCOS affects long-term egg viability.
The problem isn't just about quantity—it's about the reality that PCOS often means fewer eggs to begin with, and freezing 40 isn't always feasible or practical.
I've seen too many patients rush to freeze 40 eggs thinking it's a magic number, but what gets lost is the individual journey. PCOS isn't just about quantity or quality—it's about timing, response to stimulation, and how the body reacts. Freezing 40 might not be feasible for everyone, and pushing for it without considering the whole picture can lead to unnecessary stress. It's not just about the eggs, it's about the person holding them.
I've seen how the medical system often defaults to "more is better" without considering the lived experience. For PCOS patients, freezing 40 eggs isn't just about biology—it's about navigating a process that's already emotionally and physically taxing. If the goal is to improve chances, it's not just about the number, but about how that number aligns with the individual's health journey, not a generic target.