Egg Freezing Perth

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.

In WA, there is no time limit placed on the storage of eggs. And we know from experience now that eggs can be stored for an extended period, even several years, without compromising their quality. It is important to consult with your fertility specialist about the storage timeline that suits your situation.

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.

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.

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.

Please note that if you are freezing eggs before undertaking chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy for cancer treatment, Medicare rebates may apply.

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.

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.

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.

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

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. 

The collection of eggs for freezing generally takes place as a day procedure in hospital during a process known as a transvaginal oocyte aspiration, or TVOA.

Following early-morning admission to hospital, a TVOA usually takes 15 to 25 minutes and is generally well-tolerated, with patients spending an hour or two in recovery before going home. Some patients report period-like discomfort and some spotting after a TVOA, but this is usually well-managed with over-the-counter pain relief such as paracetamol.

Egg freezing is done using a process known as vitrification, which has been in routine clinical use for many years now with no reports of obstetric or perinatal adverse effects. However, because this is still a relatively new technique, research outcomes and our own results continue to be closely monitored.

The process of collecting and freezing eggs does not use any more eggs than what would have normally been lost due to natural attrition from one month to the next, in fact it ensures that these eggs are instead being preserved for possible future use. Freezing eggs also offers you the chance to store your eggs when you are younger when they are less likely to be impacted by the decline in quality associated with age, allowing you to preserve your fertility and increase the possibility of having a child later in life.

Egg freezing is generally more successful for women under the age of 35. Both the quality and quantity of eggs decline with age but we would recommend speaking to one of our Fertility Doctors to discuss your individual circumstances.

Absolutely! Fertilised eggs are called embryos and have been frozen and used successfully in treatment for many years more than frozen eggs. To freeze fertilised eggs (embryos), they must first have been fertilised using sperm from your partner or a donor which is done during an IVF or an ICSI cycle.

While we will ‘hijack’ your cycle for one to two months to stimulate your ovaries to collect and freeze your eggs, once complete, the egg freezing process should have no long term impact on your menstrual cycle.