Egg Freezing in Brisbane: What Is It and What Does It Involve?

Egg freezing, also known as oocyte cryopreservation, is a fertility preservation option that allows women to store their eggs for future use. This process is ideal for Brisbane women who want to delay pregnancy due to personal, medical, or career reasons, as well as those undergoing treatments that may impact fertility, such as chemotherapy.

With more women choosing to start families later in life, egg freezing has increased by over 400% in the past decade. While egg freezing does not guarantee a future pregnancy, it significantly improves the chances of conception when performed at a younger age.

Who Should Consider Egg Freezing?

Egg freezing is an option for women who want to preserve their fertility due to:

• Age-related fertility decline – A woman’s egg quality and quantity decline with age, particularly after 35.
• Medical treatments – Cancer treatments like chemotherapy and radiation can damage ovarian function.
• Endometriosis or ovarian conditions – These conditions may impact egg reserves over time.
• Delaying motherhood – Women who are not ready to conceive due to personal, professional, or financial reasons.
• Genetic risks – Women with a family history of early menopause or premature ovarian failure.

For women considering egg freezing, a fertility specialist can assess ovarian reserve and provide tailored advice.

How Does Egg Freezing Work?

Egg freezing involves stimulating the ovaries, retrieving mature eggs, and freezing them using advanced cryopreservation techniques. Here’s a step-by-step breakdown of the process:

Step 1: Ovarian Stimulation 

Hormonal medications stimulate the ovaries to produce multiple eggs in one cycle. 

Step 2: Egg Retrieval (Day Procedure)

Once the follicles reach the optimal size, a trigger injection is given, and the eggs are retrieved 36 hours later. This is a minimally invasive procedure that takes about 15-20 minutes.

Step 3: Freezing the Eggs

Mature eggs are frozen using a technique called vitrification, a rapid-freezing method that prevents ice crystal formation, preserving egg quality.

Success Rates of Egg Freezing

The success of egg freezing depends on the age at which eggs are frozen and the number of eggs stored.

• Egg freezing before age 35 offers the highest chance of success, with 90% of eggs surviving thawing, 65-79% surviving fertilisation.
• On average, 8-15 eggs per cycle are recommended to maximise future pregnancy chances.
• Studies show that women under 35 have a almost 50% chance of a live birth per batch of 10-15 frozen eggs.

How Long Can Frozen Eggs Be Stored?

In Australia, eggs can be stored for up to 10 years, with extensions possible under special circumstances.

Egg Freezing vs. Embryo Freezing: What’s the Difference?

• Egg Freezing – Preserves unfertilised eggs, allowing flexibility in choosing a future partner or sperm donor.
• Embryo Freezing – Involves fertilising the eggs with sperm before freezing.

If you’re unsure whether egg freezing or embryo freezing is the right choice, consulting with a fertility specialist can provide clarity.

Is Egg Freezing Right for You?

Egg freezing empowers you with reproductive choices. If you’re thinking about preserving your fertility, Dr. Ajita Basu provides expert guidance and compassionate care.

Book a consultation today to explore your egg freezing options in Brisbane and plan for the future.