The process of egg freezing involves mature eggs being stimulated to develop before being removed through an egg retrieval procedure and then vitrified (i.e., frozen) and stored for safekeeping. Generally, the treatment is completed in three stages:

1. Pituitary suppression
2. Ovarian stimulation
3. Egg retrieval

During the collection process, you can expect to undergo a series of pathology screens, ultrasounds, education sessions, injections and medications, and anaesthetic associated with the egg retrieval procedure itself.

Primarily, delaying parenthood is the most common reason people choose to freeze their eggs. This is often due to the decline in egg quality and quantity with age which often decreases natural conception rates. Freezing at a younger age allows for egg quality to be preserved, as frozen eggs don’t age.

However, there are various other reasons someone may choose to freeze their eggs, such as:

• Medical conditions
• Family history of premature menopause
• Cancer diagnosis
• Gender transition
• Being unsure about having children in the future
• Focus on career or athletic pursuits

If you are considering fertility preservation in the form of egg freezing, we encourage you to speak to your doctor about the process.

There is no single and finite age where egg freezing should occur. It is suggested that between 25-37 years is a good range for it to happen, however, your fertility specialist will be able to assist you in determining an appropriate age for your individual circumstances. Research shows that freezing at a younger age can be beneficial for best results as you are more likely to retrieve more eggs in addition to egg quality being improved with younger age. This can also improve the chance of using these eggs in the future.

While egg freezing does not provide any guarantee, it can provide a safety net and alleviate any pressure that comes with your fertility timeline to preserve your eggs for when the time is right for you to use them.

There are some factors that can largely influence the chance of having a healthy baby from frozen eggs which can include the quality and quantity of eggs retrieved. A fertility specialist can discuss these with you in the future.

Eggs can be stored for up to a decade before being thawed and fertilised.

• Wellness & fertility preservation series: psychological stress and physical activity
• The egg freezing process
• Who is egg freezing suitable for?
• Things to consider before freezing your eggs
• All you need to know about egg quality and quantity

Book an appointment to learn more about how Chill Egg Freeze can help you on your egg freezing journey