Photos and Dating
Egg Freezing and Dating: What the 'Mating Gap' Research Says
Why do women freeze their eggs? Mostly because they have not found the right partner, not because of careers. Yale anthropologist Marcia Inhorn interviewed 150 women; among those who froze eggs for non-medical reasons, 82% were single and said that was their main reason. Egg freezing can buy time, but it is not a guarantee, and it can change how you approach dating.
The "mating gap"
In a 2026 article in Reproductive BioMedicine Online, Inhorn describes what she calls the mating gap: highly educated women want partnership, pregnancy, and parenthood, but cannot find eligible, educated, and equal male partners. Key points: [1]
- Of 150 women she interviewed, 114 froze eggs for non-medical reasons, at an average age of 36.6.
- 82% were single and cited not having a partner as the main reason.
- Among partnered women, half froze eggs because the relationship was unstable, and half because their partners were "unready" for fatherhood.
- Using World Bank data, she notes there are 32% more women than men in higher education in the US.
- Studies show only 7.4% to 38% of women return to use their frozen eggs, often because they are still single.
Yale News, covering her book in 2023, reported the same pattern and noted women's fertility starts to decline significantly around 37. [2]
UK trend
Dr Kylie Baldwin of Loughborough University, writing on August 25, 2026, notes UK egg freezing cycles trebled between 2016 and 2021, making it the fastest-growing fertility treatment there. Her research also found most women freeze eggs because they have not found the right partner, and that it helps them avoid "panic-partnering," entering a relationship they would not otherwise choose out of fear of childlessness. [3]
How egg freezing can change dating (original)
It can help:
- Less pressure on every date to be "the one"
- Space to date for compatibility, not speed
- Fewer rushed decisions
It can't:
- Guarantee a future baby
- Change the partner pool
- Remove the need for honest conversations about kids
Inhorn's three options
Inhorn describes three paths for women in the mating gap: egg freezing while waiting, becoming a single mother by choice with donor sperm, or dating men with less formal education, which she calls "mixed-collar" relationships. She argues the last may become increasingly common and successful. [1]
Practical questions to ask yourself (original)
- How important is having biological children to me?
- What is my timeline, honestly?
- Would I consider single motherhood?
- Am I filtering out good men for reasons that don't matter to me long term, like degree or job title?
- What can I afford? Egg freezing is costly and often not covered by insurance.
Talking about kids early (original scripts)
Being clear early saves years:
- On a profile: "Want kids in the next few years."
- On an early date: "I'm at the stage where I'm looking for someone who wants a family. What about you?"
- If he is unsure: "That's fair. I need someone who's sure, so I'll keep that in mind."
Watch for "unready" men
Inhorn's interviews describe many women who left long relationships with men who would not commit to family. [1] If you want kids and he keeps saying "someday" with no plan, take that seriously.
The facts about egg freezing (original summary)
- It involves hormone injections and a minor procedure to collect eggs.
- Success depends heavily on age at freezing.
- Many women never use their eggs. [1]
- Costs vary widely by country and clinic.
Quick answers
Should I tell dates I froze my eggs? Only if and when you want. It is private medical information.
Is egg freezing only for career women? Research shows most users are single women hoping for a partner. [1][2][3]
Will men think I'm desperate if I mention kids? Men who want kids will appreciate clarity. Men who don't will self-select out.
The bottom line
Most women who freeze eggs do it because they have not found a partner who wants the same future. It can lower pressure while dating, but it is not a guarantee. Be clear about kids early, and think about which partner filters truly matter to you.