A woman's egg count is the highest it will even be when she is still in her mother’s womb. At 20 weeks gestation, she will have approximately 6 million eggs.
This number declines to 1 million at birth; 400,000 to 500,000 by the time she enters puberty and diminishes to fewer than 1000 by the time she hits menopause. The average age of menopause in developed countries is 50 with a normal range of 45 to 55.
Unfortunately life often doesn’t always align with these biological timelines. You might want to focus on your career, education, personal goals, or wait to meet the right partner before starting a family. Before you know it, that egg reserve may be getting low or the quality of your eggs may be compromised. In this case, freezing your eggs may be the only safeguard towards your future chances of having a child.
Fertility preservation offers the ability to freeze eggs, sperm, or embryos, allowing you to plan for parenthood when the time feels right - or alternatively, when medical challenges like cancer treatments may make it necessary to preserve fertility for future use.
The two tests that we commonly use to measure ovarian reserve are a blood test, anti-Müllerian hormone, and an ultrasound, where we count the number of follicles. Both these tests are good from a quantitative perspective. However, they are not good from a qualitative perspective and the most important factor here is female age.
Egg freezing generally falls into two categories; elective (non-medical or planned) and medical. While both involve the same medical process, the intent and urgency differ:
Egg freezing involves a stimulated IVF cycle to retrieve and freeze eggs:
Embryo freezing is an excellent option for individuals in a committed relationship or those using donor sperm. In this method, eggs are retrieved, fertilised with sperm, and frozen as embryos at the blastocyst stage (Day 5/6).
This approach eliminates the need to thaw eggs before fertilisation, often leading to higher success rates compared to egg freezing alone. Frozen embryos can be thawed and implanted when the time is right, making this an effective option for those ready to create embryos but not yet ready to start a family.
Ovarian tissue freezing is a fertility preservation option for individuals undergoing urgent medical treatments, such as chemotherapy, that may damage fertility. This procedure involves the surgical removal and freezing of ovarian cortex tissue. The tissue can later be re-implanted to restore reproductive function, offering hope for natural conception or further fertility treatments after recovery.
Sperm freezing is a simple and reliable method for preserving male fertility. A sperm sample is collected, frozen, and stored for future use. This option is often chosen before medical treatments that could impair fertility or by those wishing to delay parenthood.
Costs vary depending on the type of preservation, with additional expenses for storage and future use. Success rates for egg and embryo freezing depend on age, egg quality, and the number of eggs retrieved.
During this appointment, your medical history will be reviewed and we will discuss your goals in order to recommend the best preservation option for you. We’ll also determine whether any initial fertility tests are needed to guide the process.
To assess your reproductive health, we’ll perform blood tests, including Anti-Müllerian Hormone (AMH) testing, to evaluate your ovarian reserve. An ultrasound will also be conducted to examine your follicle count and overall reproductive anatomy.
Once we have a detailed understanding of your fertility profile, I’ll create a tailored plan designed to meet your individual needs. This personalised approach will ensure you feel confident, supported, and fully prepared for the fertility preservation process.
When choosing a fertility clinic, it is essential to consider factors such as the clinic’s experience, success rates, and cost. At our clinic we have direct access to Genea’s labs which provides a significant advantage for individuals considering egg freezing.
With state-of-the-art technology, such as the CryoTop system, and decades of expertise, Genea’s labs ensure the highest standards in egg freezing and storage.
Genea has exceptional survival rates during the thawing process, optimising the chances of successful fertilisation and embryo development.
On average, 89.7% of frozen eggs survive the thawing process.
Of the eggs that survive thawing, 63.7% successfully fertilise with sperm.
Of the fertilised eggs, 44.3% progress to a Day 5/6 embryo suitable for transfer or further freezing.
Of utilised embryos are dependent on many factors but especially, the age of the eggs when they were frozen. Dr Marren will provide age-specific pregnancy rates during the consultation.
These findings highlight the potential of egg freezing as a fertility preservation method while emphasising the importance of seeking individualised counselling to optimise your outcomes.
For further information on fertility preservation and egg freezing:
As a specialist in fertility preservation, I’m dedicated to helping you plan for your reproductive future. Whether you’re considering egg freezing, embryo freezing, or other options, I’ll guide you through the process with personalised care and expert advice.
Together, we’ll create a strategy that fits your unique needs and gives you the best chance of achieving your family goals.
Still have questions? Chat to us!
The ideal age for egg or sperm freezing is before 35, when fertility is highest. However, younger and older individuals can still benefit depending on their reproductive health and future family planning goals.
Eggs, sperm, and embryos can be stored indefinitely with modern cryopreservation techniques. Successful pregnancies have occurred from gametes stored for over a decade.
Health insurance coverage varies. In some cases, fertility preservation is covered for medical reasons (e.g., cancer treatment). However, elective fertility preservation (e.g., social egg freezing) may not be covered. Check with your insurance provider.
While generally safe, potential risks include:
Yes. Cancer patients are encouraged to preserve their fertility before undergoing chemotherapy, radiation, or surgery. Options include:
Success depends on many factors but some that can influence success (but are not limited to) are:
While there are no guarantees, fertility preservation is a proactive way to maintain reproductive options.
A consultation includes:
The main thing to note is that consultations are thorough but supportive, so you’ll feel the support you need throughout the whole process.
Understanding the emotional journey couples endure when they have difficulty conceiving or recurrent pregnancy loss is essential to my approach.
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