Egg (Ovum) Freezing – Female Fertility Preservation
As we age, the quantity and quality of our eggs naturally decline, often misaligning our biological clock with our life plans. Egg freezing or ovum freezing, also known as oocyte cryopreservation, offers a potential solution. This advanced fertility preservation technique involves harvesting and freezing a woman’s eggs when she is younger. These eggs can be used later when the time is right.
The frozen eggs are thawed, fertilised with sperm to create embryos, and used with the aim of achieving pregnancy. It’s a proactive step toward safeguarding your reproductive options for the future. It is important to note that while egg freezing offers a valuable option for preserving fertility, it’s not a guarantee of future pregnancy. However, it may increase the chances of having a biological child later in life.
Reasons for Egg Freezing
Medical Reasons
- Cancer treatment – for women undergoing cancer treatment, such as chemotherapy or radiation therapy, which can damage fertility.
- Medical procedures – for women undergoing medical procedures that may impact fertility, such as surgery on reproductive organs or hormone therapy.
Social and Personal Reasons
We assist women who may delay childbearing for various reasons, including prioritising career and education, navigating relationship uncertainties, and addressing concerns about potential fertility challenges, such as those with a family history of early menopause.

The Egg Freezing Process
The egg-freezing process consists of five key steps:
1. A GP Referral for Egg Freezing
You’ll need a referral from your GP to initiate the egg-freezing process. Your GP will assess your medical history, discuss your reasons for egg freezing, and refer you to a fertility specialist.
2. Initial Egg Freezing Consultation with our Fertility Expert
The next step involves an initial consultation with Dr Marcin, a senior fertility expert and specialist in reproductive endocrinology and infertility (CREI). The fertility specialist will then guide you through the necessary steps, including medical consultations, hormonal treatments, and the egg retrieval procedure.
During the consultation, you’ll discuss your medical history, family history, any associated risks, and reasons for considering egg freezing.
Dr Marcin may recommend a range of tests to assess your fertility, including:
- AMH (Anti-Müllerian Hormone) Test: One of the blood tests used to measure ovarian reserve.
- Fertility Hormone Testing: This blood test assesses hormone levels related to ovulation and fertility.
- Baseline Fertility Scan: Dr Marcin will perform an ultrasound scan to assess the number and quality of follicles in your ovaries.
3. Follow Up Appointment
You will meet with Dr Marcin who will review your results and discuss a personalised treatment plan. Dr. Marcin, will also analyse your test results to assess your fertility potential and determine the optimal approach for egg freezing. This may involve discussing the timing of the egg retrieval cycle, the type of hormonal stimulation, and any additional tests or procedures that may be necessary.
4. Information Session
Before starting your egg-freezing cycle, you will have an information session with our experienced nurses. They will provide detailed information about the entire process, including medication administration, monitoring appointments, and the egg retrieval procedure. You can ask any questions to ensure you feel confident and well-prepared for your journey.
5. The Egg Freezing Treatment Cycle
The treatment cycle consists of four stages:
Hormonal Stimulation
Hormone medications stimulate the ovaries to produce multiple eggs. Regular monitoring through blood tests and ultrasounds is essential to track the growth of the follicles.
Egg Retrieval
(Egg Collection)
Once the follicles reach maturity, a minor surgical procedure is performed to retrieve the eggs. The egg retrieval is typically done under sedation and involves a needle to extract the eggs from the follicles. An Embryologist will make contact within 24 hours to discuss the outcome and confirm the number of eggs suitable for freezing.
Egg Freezing
(Vitrification): The retrieved eggs are rapidly frozen using vitrification, a technique that minimises ice crystal formation and preserves the egg’s quality for future use.
Egg Storage
The frozen eggs are stored in liquid nitrogen at extremely low temperatures. They can be preserved for many years without significant deterioration.
Review with your Doctor
Following the egg retrieval process, you will have a post-operative appointment with your doctor to discuss the procedure’s outcome. Your doctor will review the number of eggs retrieved, their quality, and the plan for their storage. They will also address any questions or concerns you may have. This consultation is essential in understanding the next steps in your fertility journey.
Using Your Eggs
When you are ready to start trying for your family, you will need to meet with your Fertility Expert to discuss the next steps for egg retrieval & using your frozen eggs. A plan will be set up to thaw and fertilise eggs. In order to do this, we use intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), a technique for in vitro fertilisation in which an individual sperm cell is introduced into an egg cell in the hopes of creating an embryo.When your body is ready, an embryo transfer procedure will be planned.
If you decide to proceed with thawing your eggs, there will be further costs to cover these next steps of the treatment process. Our friendly team will give you more information after your first appointment.
Egg (Ovum) Freezing Cost
The cost to freeze your eggs can vary depending on several factors, including the clinic, the number of cycles, and any additional procedures required. While Medicare doesn’t currently cover elective egg freezing, egg freezing may be covered in certain medical circumstances. Such instances include, for example, cancer treatment, certain diagnosed fertility conditions, such as premature ovarian insufficiency, or a medical condition that could impact your future fertility.
Feel free to contact our team to receive an estimate of the ovum freezing costs involved in your specific case. They can also provide information on any potential Medicare rebates or other financial assistance options available to you.
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To understand your fertility comprehensively, our fertility doctor may suggest a physical examination to check for any underlying issues such as undescended testicles, testicular size and the presence of tubes running from the testicles.
FAQs
1. How long can I store my frozen eggs?
Advances in freezing technology have made it possible to preserve eggs for long periods without significantly compromising their quality.
2. Is egg freezing painful?
The egg retrieval procedure, which involves a minor surgical procedure, is typically performed under sedation, minimising discomfort. Most women report minimal pain or discomfort after the procedure.
3. Is 35 too late to freeze eggs?
While it’s never too late to consider egg freezing, it’s important to be aware that the quality and quantity of eggs can decline with age. While freezing your eggs at 35 can still be beneficial, understanding the potential limitations is crucial. As you age, the chances of genetic abnormalities in your eggs may increase. Consulting with a fertility specialist can help you make informed decisions about your fertility preservation options.
4. What are the cons of the egg-freezing process?
While egg freezing offers a valuable option for preserving fertility, it’s important to be aware of its limitations. It’s not a guaranteed solution for future pregnancy, and there are potential risks and costs involved. Additionally, there’s no guarantee that you’ll use your frozen eggs, and the emotional and financial investment may not always lead to the desired outcome.
5. What are the success rates of using frozen eggs?
The success rate of using frozen eggs can vary depending on several factors, including the woman’s age at the time of egg freezing, the number of eggs retrieved, and the quality of the eggs.
Here is some useful information from VARTA’s page: