US left-wing star reveals decision to freeze her eggs

Washington - Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, a prominent Democratic congresswoman from New York, has announced her decision to freeze her eggs. The 36-year-old, widely known as AOC, shared videos of the fertility treatment on social media, including herself administering hormone injections. She described the choice as a way to feel more in control of her life, acknowledging it as a very privileged position.

The revelation comes amid speculation about Ocasio-Cortez's political future, including potential bids for the White House in 2028 or challenging Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer for his New York seat. She told ABC on Sunday that she has not ruled out the possibility, but emphasized that her immediate focus remains the upcoming midterm elections.

Ocasio-Cortez, known for her association with the left wing of the Democratic Party, said going public about freezing her eggs carries a political risk. Men facing similar decisions rarely have their personal lives scrutinized to the same extent. She also linked the decision to her advocacy for reproductive rights, advocating for normalisation of conversations about women's health in a political climate where access to abortion and other reproductive care remains contentious in the United States.

Egg freezing involves stimulating the ovaries with hormone injections, followed by surgical retrieval and preservation of mature eggs for potential future use through in vitro fertilisation. The process can be costly, often not covered by insurance, and does not guarantee a future pregnancy. Ocasio-Cortez said she had been saving for the procedure and had been considering it for a long time. She did not specify whether she plans to use the frozen eggs for her own use.