The first medical practice in New York City devoted exclusively to freezing eggs has opened amid growing interest among women in fertility preservation.
Extend Fertility specializes only in freezing women's eggs, which makes it different from fertility clinics, which also offer other services, like in vitro fertilization.
Founder and reproductive endocrinologist Dr. Joshua Klein says providing one service also reduces the operating overhead. That allows the practice to charge women less -- just under $5,000, about half the typical cost at regular fertility clinics.
"That comes with the reassurance that you'll freeze enough eggs that you can feel confident that you'll be able to use those eggs to have a baby, if you so choose, later in life," said Klein.
Patient Rhiannon Beauregard, 33, started making inquiries about the process after learning she had polycystic ovaries, one of the leading causes of infertility.
"I wanted someone who was just focused on preserving fertility for young women," she said.
Patients are guaranteed retrieval and freezing of 12 eggs, from up to four cycles.
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"For a single female who owns their own business, any amount of money is a lot," she added, but the peace of mind and insurance for a possible future pregnancy is worth it.
"I can make that decision when I want to," she said.
Klein says while social norms have evolved and many people now choose to have children later in life, women's fertility still begin to decline at around age 30, and then rapidly each year or two in the mid-to-late 30s.
The office is located at 200 W. 57th St.
