Egg Freezing Melbourne:
Preserve Your Fertility
Egg freezing (oocyte cryopreservation) is a highly effective method for women looking to preserve their reproductive options for the future. Whether you are delaying motherhood for personal, career, or medical reasons, Dr Kokum Jayasinghe provides compassionate, personalised egg freezing services right here in Melbourne. With years of specialist experience in reproductive endocrinology, Dr Kokum ensures you receive evidence-based care tailored to your unique biology.
What is Egg Freezing?
Egg freezing, medically known as oocyte cryopreservation, is a procedure where a woman’s mature eggs are collected, rapidly frozen, and safely stored for potential use in the future.
Modern egg freezing relies on a highly advanced technique called vitrification. This rapid-freezing method prevents the formation of damaging ice crystals inside the egg, significantly improving the survival rate of eggs once they are thawed. After freezing, your eggs are securely stored in a specialized laboratory facility. When you are ready to use them, the eggs are thawed, fertilised with sperm in a laboratory (via IVF/ICSI), and the resulting embryo is transferred to your uterus.
This process is suitable for women seeking elective fertility preservation, as well as those facing medical treatments (such as chemotherapy) that may impact their future fertility.
Egg Freezing - Who It’s For & When to Consider It
Deciding to freeze your eggs is a highly personal choice. Common motivations for patients in Melbourne include:
Age-related fertility decline: A woman's egg quantity and quality naturally decrease over time, particularly after the age of 35.
Life and career timing: Wanting to secure fertility options while focusing on career goals, education, or finding the right partner.
Medical reasons: Preserving eggs prior to treatments for cancer, severe endometriosis, or other conditions that may compromise ovarian function.
Is egg freezing right for you?
- Are you currently in your late 20s to mid-30s and not yet ready for a family?
- Do you have a family history of early menopause?
- Are you about to undergo medical treatments that could affect your ovaries?
- Do you want peace of mind regarding your future reproductive choices?
Generally, earlier tends to be better when it comes to egg freezing, as younger eggs typically yield higher success rates.
The Egg Freezing Process in Melbourne (Step-by-Step)
1) Initial Fertility Assessment
Your journey begins with a comprehensive consultation with Dr Kokum Jayasinghe. During this visit, we will review your medical history, menstrual cycle history, and family-building goals.
Common Tests: We typically arrange a blood test to check your Anti-Müllerian Hormone (AMH) levels and an ultrasound to assess your Antral Follicle Count (AFC).
Personalised Plan: Based on these results, Dr Jayasinghe will tailor a medication protocol specifically for you.
Questions to ask: How many eggs should I aim to freeze? What is the expected timeline for my cycle?
2) Ovarian Stimulation & Monitoring
Monitoring: Over 10–14 days, you will visit our Melbourne clinic for blood tests and ultrasounds. This ensures your follicles are growing safely and allows us to adjust your medication dose if needed.
Side Effects: You may experience mild bloating, breast tenderness, or mood changes. If you experience severe pain, should contact the clinic immediately.
3) Egg Collection (Retrieval)
The Procedure: Under light anaesthesia or sedation, Dr Jayasinghe uses ultrasound guidance to retrieve the eggs from your ovaries using a fine needle. The process takes about 20–30 minutes.
The Procedure: Under light anaesthesia or sedation, Dr Jayasinghe uses ultrasound guidance to retrieve the eggs from your ovaries using a fine needle. The process takes about 20–30 minutes.
4) Vitrification & Storage
How long does egg freezing take?
Aftercare & recovery
- Rest: Take it easy for 24–48 hours post-procedure.
- Hydration: Drink plenty of fluids.
- Activity: Avoid intense exercise and penetrative sex until your next period, as your ovaries will remain enlarged and sensitive as well as risk of unplanned pregnancy.
- When to seek help: Contact us if you experience severe abdominal pain, heavy bleeding, or a fever.
Egg Freezing Costs in Melbourne
Understanding the financial investment is crucial. A standard egg freezing cycle typically includes:
- Specialist consultations and cycle planning
- Ultrasounds and blood tests during the stimulation phase
- The egg retrieval procedure (day surgery and anaesthetist fees)
- Laboratory fees for vitrification
- The first year of storage
Variables: Costs can fluctuate based on the specific dose of medications required, whether you need multiple cycles to reach your target number of eggs, and ongoing annual storage fees.
Please note: Costs vary based on individual treatment plans. For a tailored estimate, please request a quote during your consultation.
Egg Freezing Success Rates (and How Age Affects Outcomes)
Age Factor
Eggs frozen before the age of 35 generally have a higher chance of resulting in a successful pregnancy later. As age increases, both the quantity and genetic quality of eggs naturally decline.
Target Numbers
Dr Jayasinghe will discuss how many eggs might be recommended for your specific age bracket to give you a reasonable chance of a future pregnancy.
Risks, Side Effects & Safety
Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome (OHSS)
A rare condition where the ovaries overreact to the fertility drugs, causing swelling and fluid retention. Our rigorous monitoring process is designed to minimize this risk.
Procedure Risks
There is a very small risk of infection or bleeding associated with the egg retrieval process.
Emotional Considerations
Fertility treatments can be emotionally taxing. We encourage open communication and can provide access to fertility counsellors if needed.
FAQs About Egg Freezing in Melbourne
What age is best to freeze eggs?
The optimal time is generally in your late 20s to early 30s, as egg quality and quantity are higher. However, women in their mid-to-late 30s can also benefit significantly.
How many eggs should I freeze?
This depends on your age and family goals. Generally, women under 35 might aim for 15-20 eggs, while older women may need to freeze more to achieve similar success rates.
How long can eggs stay frozen?
Using vitrification, eggs can remain frozen indefinitely without degrading in quality. Storage limits are usually dictated by state legislation and your personal consent forms.
Does egg freezing affect my fertility later?
No. Every month, your body naturally loses a cohort of eggs. Egg freezing simply rescues the eggs that would have naturally died off in that specific menstrual cycle. It does not deplete your future ovarian reserve.
Is the egg retrieval process painful?
The daily injections use very fine needles and are generally well-tolerated. The egg collection is performed under sedation or anaesthesia, so you will not feel pain during the procedure. Mild cramping afterward is common.
How long is recovery after egg collection?
Most women need 1 to 2 days of rest before returning to normal daily activities and work.
Can I freeze eggs if I have PCOS or endometriosis?
Yes. In fact, women with conditions like endometriosis may be encouraged to freeze eggs to protect their fertility. Dr Jayasinghe will tailor your stimulation protocol to safely manage conditions like PCOS.
How many cycles might I need?
Depending on your AMH levels and age, you may achieve your target number of eggs in one cycle, or you may choose to undergo 2–3 cycles to bank enough eggs for your future goals.
Do I need a referral?
A referral from your GP is highly recommended as it allows you to claim applicable Medicare rebates for your consultations and certain tests.
Why Choose Dr Kokum Jayasinghe for Egg Freezing?
Personalised Care: No two women are the same. Dr Jayasinghe takes the time to thoroughly assess your biology and design a bespoke stimulation protocol.
Clear Communication: You will receive transparent information regarding timelines, realistic success rates, and costs—with no false promises.
Expertise: With extensive experience in reproductive medicine, Dr Jayasinghe focuses on safely maximising your outcomes while prioritising your physical and emotional wellbeing.
Book a Consultation
Taking the first step is often the hardest, but gaining clarity about your fertility options is empowering.
What to bring to your first appointment
- A referral from your GP (if applicable)
- Any previous blood test results or pelvic ultrasounds
- A list of your current medications
- Any questions you have about the process