Woman froze eggs at 19 after early menopause diagnosis

Kira Jones, who is now 25, froze her eggs at 19 after discovering she had a low ovarian reserve. She works at the Herts & Essex Fertility Centre in Waltham Cross and decided to undergo an Anti-Mullerian Hormone (AMH) test in 2020. The test indicated her ovarian reserve was similar to that of a woman in her late 30s or 40s, and she was informed she was perimenopausal at the age of 19.

Ms Jones had always wanted a large family and, concerned about her fertility, opted for egg preservation. This decision was made to increase her chances of starting a family when she felt ready. She told PA Real Life that her fortunate position allowed her to retain choice over starting a family, rather than having that possibility removed.

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Low AMH Levels

The AMH test, which measures a hormone indicating the number of eggs remaining in the ovaries, showed Ms Jones's levels were 5.8 pmol/L in 2020. Available data suggests the reference AMH range for women aged 20 to 24 is between 8.7 and 83.6 pmol/L, with levels typically decreasing with age. Ms Jones stated she was unaware she was perimenopausal, attributing her irregular periods to normal variations.

Following her test results, Ms Jones was advised that any action regarding her fertility needed to be taken promptly. She understood that delaying the process could jeopardise her opportunity to preserve eggs or conceive naturally later in life.

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Funding and Procedure

The process of egg retrieval and preservation involves significant costs, including initial fees and ongoing storage payments. As egg preservation for personal or lifestyle reasons is not covered by the NHS, Ms Jones had to fund the treatment herself. The NHS only funds such procedures if they are medically necessary due to a health condition or fertility-threatening treatment, such as cancer therapy.

Ms Jones borrowed money from her family and made personal financial sacrifices to cover the monthly fees for egg preservation. She described the decision as having financial and emotional pressure, feeling like hitting a "brick wall" and experiencing isolation as she did not know anyone else her age going through a similar situation.

Ms Jones underwent two rounds of egg retrieval, resulting in 26 eggs being collected. Of these, 17 were successfully frozen and stored. Beyond the fertility concerns, dealing with perimenopause at a young age has presented other health challenges. She has had to manage osteopenia in her hips and undergo bone density scans, requiring careful lifestyle choices, dietary changes, and regular hormone checks.

She also experiences daily brain fog, which she described as feeling like being a toddler again. Ms Jones highlighted that at 25, during what should be her prime, her body's condition is limiting her capabilities. Her experience has motivated her to encourage other young people to be aware of their fertility.

Future Outlook

Looking ahead, Ms Jones hopes to have a family with her partner, who has supported her throughout the process. She stated that her outlook on family has changed, embracing various forms it might take. While she would welcome biological children through IVF, she remains open to adoption or fostering if that is not possible. She reiterated that her ability to have this choice has been fortunate.