More women than ever are thinking about egg freezing. Some are focused on their career and have not met the right partner yet. Some are facing medical treatment that could affect their fertility. Some simply want to know their options. Whatever your reason, the first step is always the same: a specialist consultation that gives you honest, personal answers. This guide walks you through what to expect, who should consider egg freezing, and the full referral pathway.

Why consider egg freezing?

A woman is born with all the eggs she will ever have. The number drops gradually from birth, and the drop speeds up after age 35. The quality of eggs also changes with age. Egg freezing lets you store some eggs at a younger biological age so they can be used later if you need them.

Common reasons women consider egg freezing include:

1. Not being ready to have children yet, due to career, study, or not being in the right relationship.

2. Facing medical treatment that could affect fertility, such as chemotherapy or radiotherapy.

3. Having a condition that may lead to early menopause, such as a family history of premature ovarian insufficiency.

4. Having a diagnosis like severe endometriosis that may reduce fertility over time.

5. Having PCOS and planning fertility carefully for the future.

6. Being in a same-sex relationship and planning for future pregnancy options.

7. Supporting a partner through gender-affirming treatment where fertility preservation matters.

When is the best age to freeze eggs?

From a biological point of view, the younger the better. Eggs frozen in your late 20s or early 30s give the best future pregnancy chance per egg. The reality for most women is that they consider egg freezing in their mid to late 30s. This is still a good age to freeze eggs, but it usually means more cycles are needed to get the same number of eggs.

By age 38, the drop in egg quantity and quality starts to accelerate. By age 40, egg freezing can still be done but the chance of a successful future pregnancy per egg is much lower. There is no single cut-off, but the earlier you have the conversation, the more options you have.

What happens at your first specialist consultation?

Our role at Northside Gynaecology is the specialist starting point of your fertility preservation journey. Here is what the first appointment looks like.

A full history

We will go through your medical history, your periods, any gynaecological conditions, your family history of early menopause or fertility concerns, and your personal plans for the future. This takes about 30 minutes.

A gentle examination

A pelvic examination lets us check for any issues like fibroids, cysts, or signs of endometriosis that might affect fertility planning.

AMH blood test

AMH (Anti-Mullerian Hormone) is a blood test that gives an estimate of how many eggs you have left in your ovaries. It is not a perfect predictor, but it helps us understand your ovarian reserve for your age. You can have this done at a local pathology collection centre.

Pelvic ultrasound

A transvaginal ultrasound counts the small follicles visible in your ovaries at the start of a cycle. This gives another measure of ovarian reserve and checks the uterus and ovaries for any other findings.

A plan tailored to you

With all the information together, we will explain your options honestly. For some women, egg freezing is clearly worth doing now. For others, we may suggest waiting, treating a specific condition first, or exploring other paths.

How does egg freezing actually work?

The actual egg collection and freezing is done at specialist IVF clinics. We refer you to a trusted IVF clinic in Brisbane that fits your needs. The process usually takes 2 to 3 weeks and includes:

1. Daily hormone injections for about 10 to 14 days to stimulate the ovaries to grow many eggs.

2. Regular ultrasound and blood test monitoring during this time.

3. A trigger injection to mature the eggs.

4. A short day procedure, about 20 minutes under light anaesthetic, to collect the eggs through the vagina.

5. The eggs are frozen at the IVF clinic using a rapid freezing technique called vitrification.

Most women can go back to normal activity the day after the collection. Some mild bloating and cramping is common for a few days.

How many eggs should I aim to freeze?

The honest answer is that there is no magic number. More eggs give a higher chance of a future baby, but no number guarantees a baby. As a rough guide, many fertility specialists aim for 15 to 20 mature eggs for a reasonable chance of one future child. Some women reach this in one cycle, some need two or three cycles.

How much does egg freezing cost?

In Australia, elective egg freezing typically costs between 3,000-5,000 Australian dollars per cycle. There are also annual storage fees of a few hundred dollars. Medicare rebates apply in some medical situations, such as before cancer treatment, but usually not for elective fertility preservation. Private health insurance usually does not cover elective egg freezing but may help with the day-procedure hospital fees.

The IVF clinic will give you a full, personalised quote. Our specialist consultation at Northside Gynaecology attracts the standard specialist Medicare rebate when you have a GP referral.

Egg freezing for medical reasons

If you are facing cancer treatment, severe endometriosis surgery, or another medical situation that could affect your fertility, egg freezing is often more urgent. In these cases, Medicare rebates apply to many parts of the process. We work closely with your oncology or other specialist teams to coordinate the timing.

About Northside Gynaecology and fertility planning

Northside Gynaecology is a specialist gynaecology practice in Brisbane. Our team, led by Dr Archna Saraswat, FRANZCOG, provides the specialist consultation, assessment, and referral pathway for women thinking about egg freezing. We work with trusted IVF clinics in Brisbane and across Queensland. We consult from Kedron, North Lakes, and Caboolture Private Hospital.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best age to freeze eggs?

From a biological point of view, eggs frozen in your late 20s or early 30s give the best future pregnancy chance. However, many women freeze eggs in their mid to late 30s with good results. After about age 38, both the number and quality of eggs starts to drop more quickly.

How does egg freezing actually work?

You take hormone injections for about 10 to 14 days to stimulate the ovaries to grow many eggs at once. The eggs are then collected in a short day procedure under light anaesthetic and frozen at an IVF clinic. The frozen eggs can be used in the future if needed.

Do you do the egg freezing at Northside Gynaecology?

The actual egg collection and freezing is done at specialist IVF clinics. Our role is the first specialist consultation, your fertility assessment including AMH testing and ultrasound, discussion of all your options with our IVF specialist and referral to the right IVF clinic for the next steps.

How much does egg freezing cost in Australia?

Egg freezing typically costs between 3-5,000  Australian dollars per cycle, with additional annual storage fees. Medicare rebates apply in some medical situations (such as before cancer treatment) but usually not for elective fertility preservation. Your IVF clinic will give you a full quote.

What is AMH and why is it tested?

AMH stands for Anti-Mullerian Hormone. It is a blood test that gives an estimate of how many eggs you have left in your ovaries, called your ovarian reserve. It helps your specialist advise on timing and expected outcomes for egg freezing.

How long can frozen eggs be stored?

In Australia, frozen eggs can be stored for many years. The exact storage limits are set by state regulations. Your IVF clinic will explain the limits in your state and the process for extending storage if needed.

Does egg freezing guarantee a future pregnancy?

No. Egg freezing improves your options and your chances, but it does not guarantee a baby. The chance of a future pregnancy per egg depends on your age at freezing, egg quality, and many other factors. An honest conversation about realistic chances is a core part of the first consultation.

Book a fertility preservation consultation in Brisbane

The right time to think about egg freezing is before you think you need it. A single specialist consultation can give you honest answers and a clear picture of your options.

You can book at Kedron, North Lakes, or Caboolture. Call 07 3054 4687 or use our contact page. Ask your GP for a referral so you can claim your Medicare rebate on the specialist consultation. Bring any recent blood tests or ultrasound reports.