Karen Fukuhara Freezes Eggs as “Insurance” for the Future
In a candid and insightful discussion, Karen Fukuhara, widely recognized for her role in the hit series The Boys, opened up about her decision to freeze her eggs.
Speaking on the podcast I’ve Never Said This Before with Tommy DiDario, the 32-year-old actress shared her personal journey and the reasons behind her choice, emphasizing the importance of awareness and information for women.
Fukuhara’s revelation comes after a recent breakup, which prompted her to consider her future options more seriously. She explained that she felt a responsibility to speak out so that other women could understand the choices available to them regarding fertility.
“I debated about whether or not I wanted to talk about this, but I think it is really important for people to know about: I just went through an egg-freezing process,” Fukuhara stated in PEOPLE’s exclusive clip from the podcast’s July 30 episode.
Egg freezing, as described by the Cleveland Clinic, involves stimulating the ovaries with hormones to produce multiple eggs, which are then retrieved and frozen for future use. This process allows women to preserve their fertility and potentially use the eggs later to create embryos for pregnancy.
Fukuhara acknowledged that the process can vary in difficulty and duration for different women. “I personally did not realize how it can be an easy process — but it can also be like a longer process for some, and for me, it was longer. I just think it’s super-important for women out there to understand what their choices are.”
She emphasized the time-sensitive nature of egg freezing, suggesting that earlier consideration could be beneficial. “If I had known all the things I know now, I think I would have done it a couple years before, so yeah. Freeze your eggs if you can.”
The Cleveland Clinic advises that egg preservation is ideally done by age 35 for women who do not have immediate plans for children. This recommendation underscores the need for early awareness and planning.
Fukuhara reflected on her past approach to relationships, noting that she did not always consider long-term implications. “I didn’t really think about it until a few years back and it was like a big thought — I never dated to marry, to be honest.
I just feel like when you’re in your early twenties, you don’t really think about like, ‘Oh, is he marriage material? Is he father material?’ I just never thought about it. I was like, ‘Oh, this is fun. I’m dating someone that I like.’”
Her recent breakup, however, prompted a shift in perspective. “Recently I went through a breakup, and now I don’t have a partner. So, I was like, ‘Okay, maybe I should freeze my eggs.’”
Fukuhara’s decision to share her experience is aimed at encouraging other women to explore their options and make informed decisions about their reproductive health. “But long story short, without getting too far deep into it … Look into that if you are a woman.”
Podcast host Tommy DiDario praised Fukuhara for her openness, highlighting the importance of discussing such topics. “There are a lot of women I know as well who debate it… I’ve had a few people in my life regret that [they didn’t], so I think it’s an important message to put out.”
Fukuhara agreed, noting that freezing her eggs provides her with options for the future. “It just gives you the option, right? You don’t have to decide anything?”
“Yeah, no, and I think that I’m going to have a natural birth,” she confirmed. “It’s always good to have insurance as well, just in case there’s no one that pops up that I can have a baby with.”
Fukuhara’s candid discussion is a reminder of the importance of considering fertility options and the impact that timing and information can have on a woman’s reproductive choices. Her experience underscores the need for greater awareness and resources for women to make informed decisions about their futures.
