My Egg Freezing Journey

Hi friend 👋🏼,

When I decided to freeze my eggs, I knew it would be an emotional journey. What I didn’t anticipate was how deeply it would impact my body, mind, and overall health. What started as an empowering choice to take control of my fertility turned into a battle with weight gain and a diagnosis of Hashimoto’s thyroiditis. Sharing this experience feels vulnerable, but I hope my story resonates with others who might be navigating similar challenges and reminds you that you’re not alone.

Let me take you through this journey—its highs, its lows, and the lessons I’ve learned along the way.

Why I Chose to Freeze My Eggs

Egg freezing felt like an opportunity to give myself options. As someone balancing career ambitions and a full life, I wanted to preserve the possibility of having children in the future without feeling pressured by my biological clock. The decision was empowering, but it wasn’t one I took lightly. It involved research, consultation, and weighing the emotional and financial investment.

Once I decided to move forward, I was hopeful. The process seemed straightforward: hormone injections, monitoring, retrieval. What I didn’t anticipate were the significant physical and emotional changes that would come along with it.

The Physical Impact of Egg Freezing

The hormone injections required for egg freezing are no joke. They’re designed to stimulate your ovaries to produce multiple eggs, and while effective, they’re also intense. Here’s how they affected me:

1. Bloating and Rapid Weight Gain

During the process, my body began to retain water like never before. My abdomen swelled, and I felt uncomfortable in my own skin. By the time the egg retrieval was complete, I had already gained several pounds.

But the weight gain didn’t stop there. Over the following months, I found myself 60 pounds heavier. It wasn’t just water weight; it was real, stubborn weight that refused to budge, no matter what I tried.

2. Hormonal Imbalance

The hormone surges during egg freezing can leave you feeling emotionally vulnerable, but for me, they also seemed to throw my entire endocrine system off balance. Even after the procedure, I noticed symptoms like fatigue, brain fog, and mood swings that didn’t align with my usual self.

The Hashimoto’s Diagnosis

After months of feeling “off,” I knew something wasn’t right. My energy levels were consistently low, my weight was stuck despite my best efforts, and I started experiencing other symptoms like hair thinning and sensitivity to cold. A visit to my doctor led to bloodwork that revealed the culprit: Hashimoto’s thyroiditis.

What is Hashimoto’s?

Hashimoto’s is an autoimmune condition where the immune system attacks the thyroid gland, leading to hypothyroidism (an underactive thyroid). The thyroid plays a critical role in regulating metabolism, energy levels, and many other bodily functions, so when it’s out of balance, the effects are widespread.

How Did It Develop?

While I can’t say with certainty what triggered my Hashimoto’s, it’s likely that the hormonal stress from egg freezing played a role. Autoimmune conditions can be influenced by stress, hormonal changes, and genetic predisposition, and this combination may have created the perfect storm.

Coping with the Diagnosis

Receiving a Hashimoto’s diagnosis was both a relief and a challenge. It was comforting to have an explanation for my symptoms, but it also meant adapting to a new way of living. Here’s how I began to navigate this chapter:

1. Educating Myself

Understanding Hashimoto’s was my first step. I learned about the importance of managing stress, balancing hormones, and supporting my thyroid through diet and lifestyle changes. The more I understood, the more empowered I felt to take control of my health.

2. Adjusting My Diet

Hashimoto’s often requires dietary changes to reduce inflammation and support thyroid health. For me, this meant:

• Eliminating gluten and dairy: Both can exacerbate inflammation and trigger autoimmune responses in some people.

• Incorporating nutrient-dense foods: I focused on foods rich in selenium, iodine, and zinc, which are essential for thyroid function.

• Reducing sugar and processed foods: These can contribute to energy crashes and weight gain.

3. Seeking Medical Treatment

My doctor prescribed thyroid hormone replacement to address my hypothyroidism. This helped stabilize my energy levels and improved some of my symptoms over time. Regular check-ins and bloodwork became a routine part of managing my condition.

4. Listening to My Body

Living with an autoimmune condition means learning to tune into your body’s signals. I’ve had to be more mindful of rest, stress management, and giving myself grace when I don’t feel 100%.

Healing Physically and Mentally

Beyond the physical changes, the emotional toll of this journey has been significant. Here are some of the ways I’ve been working to heal both body and mind:

1. Reframing Weight Gain

Gaining 60 pounds felt like losing control of my body, and it was hard not to tie my self-worth to the number on the scale. Over time, I’ve been working to shift my focus from weight to overall health. By celebrating small wins—like feeling more energized or sleeping better—I’ve begun to rebuild a healthier relationship with my body.

2. Prioritizing Self-Care

Stress plays a huge role in autoimmune conditions, so self-care is no longer a luxury—it’s a necessity. This has meant prioritizing activities like:

• Yoga and Meditation: These help reduce stress and promote mindfulness.

• Gentle Movement: Instead of punishing workouts, I’ve embraced walking, swimming, and other low-impact exercises that feel good.

• Journaling: Writing has been a way to process my feelings and track my progress.

3. Leaning on Support

Talking openly with friends, family, and my healthcare team has been crucial. Sharing my experience has not only helped me feel less alone but has also connected me with others who understand what I’m going through.

4. Celebrating the Wins

It’s easy to get caught up in what’s not going well, but I’ve learned to celebrate even the smallest victories. Whether it’s feeling less fatigued or discovering a new recipe that works for my diet, these moments remind me that progress is possible.

Lessons Learned Along the Way

This journey has taught me more about resilience, self-compassion, and the importance of health than I ever expected. Here are some of the biggest lessons I’ve taken away:

1. Your Health is a Journey

There’s no quick fix when it comes to health, and that’s okay. Progress often comes in small, incremental steps, and learning to be patient with myself has been a game-changer.

2. It’s Okay to Ask for Help

Whether it’s from doctors, therapists, or loved ones, seeking support is a sign of strength, not weakness. We’re not meant to navigate life’s challenges alone.

3. Self-Worth Goes Beyond Appearance

Weight gain was hard, but it forced me to reevaluate where I place my value. I’ve been working to focus on who I am rather than what I look like, and that shift has been incredibly freeing.

4. Trust Your Intuition

If something feels off in your body, don’t ignore it. Advocating for yourself and seeking answers is one of the best things you can do for your health.

Today, I’m still on the journey to finding balance with my health, but I’m in a much better place than I was at the start. I’ve learned to celebrate the decision to freeze my eggs—it was a choice made out of love and hope for my future. At the same time, I’ve embraced the challenges it brought as opportunities for growth and transformation.

If you’re navigating your own health challenges, I hope my story reminds you that healing is a process and that you’re stronger than you know. Whether you’re dealing with weight changes, autoimmune conditions, or the emotional toll of medical decisions, know that you’re not alone. Let’s keep encouraging one another to prioritize our well-being and find joy in the journey.

As we embark on this journey together, I invite you to connect with us on Instagram @femmeforce_co to stay updated with our daily doses of inspiration and Femme Force updates.

P.S. If you ever have questions, suggestions, or just want to chat, please feel free to reply to this email 📧 I'd love to hear from you!