Fertility Preservation

Egg Freezing Perth

Support your future reproductive choices by securing your family-building opportunities.

Perth Egg Freezing

Egg freezing, also known as oocyte cryopreservation, has become an increasingly popular option for individuals who want to take control of their fertility journey. By preserving their healthy eggs for future use, people can put their minds at ease knowing they have a valuable resource at their disposal. Whether it’s due to career goals, personal circumstances, gender affirming treatment or other health reasons, egg freezing empowers those to make decisions about their reproductive future with confidence and peace of mind.

Who is Egg Freezing suitable for?

Egg freezing is a versatile fertility preservation option that caters to a wide range of personal circumstances and medical needs. If you’re considering this procedure, here are some common situations where it may be suitable:

Future family planning: Bypassing the “biological clock”

If you’re waiting to have children later in life, freezing your eggs allows you to keep your options open, ensuring you have the opportunity to start or grow your family when the time is right.

Chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy

Cancer treatments can pose a risk to fertility, but by storing your eggs or ovarian tissue prior to undertaking treatment, you are able to preserve your fertility.

Ovarian failure

Some patients may be at risk of premature ovarian failure (ie – loss of ovarian function before the age of 40). Fertility preservation offers these patients the opportunity to store their eggs before ovarian failure occurs.

Before hormone therapy or SRS for those undergoing gender reassignment

Transgender people who undergo medical or surgical transition can be rendered infertile by their transition treatment. It is recommended that transgender people discuss fertility preservation options before the transition to ensure their parenting possibilities.

What is the Egg Freezing Process?

How can we help with your Fertility Preservation journey?

Whatever the reason for storing your eggs, Fertility North can provide this service with the compassion, sensitivity and specialist management it requires. 

If you are thinking about freezing your eggs, please arrange an appointment with one of our Doctors who can assess your circumstances and determine the most effective option for your individual situation. 

Please advise our team immediately if you need to freeze your eggs for oncology purposes.  We will then fast-track the process to ensure that fertility preservation does not impact on your cancer treatment.   

There are some costs associated with freezing and storing your eggs, and you can find details of these on our Fee Structure.  Medicare rebates and discounted fees do apply to those freezing eggs prior to undergoing cancer treatment.  Please contact us to find out more. 

Egg Freezing FAQs

In this FAQ guide, we address some of the most common questions surrounding egg freezing, providing you with valuable information and insights to help you make informed decisions about your reproductive health.

How does the egg freezing process work?

The egg freezing process typically involves four main steps: controlled ovarian hyper-stimulation, trans-vaginal oocyte aspiration, oocyte vitrification and storage. Hormone injections are used to stimulate the ovaries and encourage the development of multiple eggs. Once mature, the eggs are retrieved through a minimally invasive procedure. They are then cryopreserved using a process called vitrification and stored until needed.

How long can eggs be stored?

Eggs can be stored for an extended period, even several years, without compromising their quality. However, storage duration may vary depending on local regulations and individual circumstances. It is important to consult with your fertility specialist about the storage timeline that suits your situation.

Is there an age limit for egg freezing?

While there is no strict age limit for egg freezing, the procedure is generally more successful for women under the age of 35. This is because both the quality and quantity of eggs tend to decline with age. Nonetheless, it is crucial to discuss your individual case with a fertility specialist to determine the most appropriate course of action.

What is the success rate of egg freezing?

The success rate of egg freezing varies depending on factors such as age, egg quality, and the specific fertility clinic. Generally, younger people with higher-quality eggs have better chances of success. It is essential to discuss success rates with your fertility specialist to set realistic expectations.

How much does egg freezing cost?

The cost of egg freezing can vary depending on factors such as location, clinic, and any additional treatments or services required. It is best to consult with your chosen fertility clinic to obtain a detailed breakdown of the costs involved.

Are there any risks or side effects associated with egg freezing?

As with any medical procedure, there may be risks or side effects associated with egg freezing. Some potential side effects include bloating, cramping, or mood swings from hormonal stimulation. Rare complications can include ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) or infection. It is essential to discuss the potential risks and side effects with your fertility specialist to make an informed decision. It is very important to note that freezing your eggs does not guarantee your future fertility.  Despite the use of verified techniques by highly trained staff, the survival of frozen eggs cannot be guaranteed, nor can fertilisation or the development of embryos.

Can I use my frozen eggs with a sperm donor or surrogate?

Yes, you can use your frozen eggs with donor sperm or in conjunction with a surrogate, depending on your individual circumstances and preferences. Consult with your fertility specialist to discuss the available options and the most suitable approach for your situation.

How many eggs do I need to freeze?

This is a really difficult question to accurately answer, as the number eggs you might need to freeze to maximise your chance of success is different for everyone.  It is quite normal that not all eggs collected will be suitable to freeze, not all eggs will survive the freezing and thawing process to be suitable to inseminate, and not all inseminated eggs will fertilise.  It is normal to expect loss at each stage of the process.

On average, we expect that if 10 eggs are collected, 8 may be suitable to freeze, 7 may survive the freezing and thawing process for insemination, 5 may fertilise to become embryos, of which only 1 or 2 may be suitable for transfer or freezing.  These numbers are estimates and will vary in accordance with your age at the time of freezing your eggs, as well as other factors including endometriosis and sperm quality. Your doctor will provide you with more information, relative to your individual circumstances.

Do I need to do IVF with my frozen eggs?

Yes, as a result of freezing your eggs, they must be inseminated via ICSI, whereby each suitable egg is injected with a single sperm to achieve fertilisation

Am I eligible for Medicare-funded treatment to freeze my eggs?

All oocyte freezing requires IVF services; for a treatment to attract a Medicare benefit, it is a requirement that patients seeking treatment have been diagnosed as ‘medically infertile’ at the time the services are employed. As a result, patients looking to freeze oocytes for fertility preservation, either for medical or social reasons, without a diagnosis of infertility, are ineligible for Medicare subsidised treatment. It is also currently prohibited by WA legislation for a patient to use their frozen oocytes in treatment, if when treatment occurs, they are not deemed infertile for medical reasons. (HRT Act 1991 Part 3, div. 2 s.23)

Medicare rebates and discounted fees do apply to those freezing sperm prior to undergoing gonadotoxic treatment.  Please contact us to find out more.