Egg freezing
Egg freezing is offered to all women or transgender men wishing to preserve their fertility for both medical and social reasons. Egg freezing requires the completion of an IVF cycle in which rather than fertilisation, the eggs undergo freezing in a laboratory. Once the eggs are frozen, they are kept for you until you are ready to use them or no longer need them.
Embryo freezing
Similarly to the egg procedure, embryo freezing requires a full IVF/ICSI cycle, where your embryos are grown and the suitable ones are then frozen. These embryos can be made with either partner or donor sperm and can be kept in storage for up to 10 years under the NHMRC Ethical Guidelines. When you are ready for your embryos, you can undergo a frozen embryo transfer cycle in which one or two of the embryos are thawed in time with your cycle ready for transfer.
Ovarian tissue freezing
Sometimes patients need an urgent fertility preservation solution. If you’ve recently received a difficult medical diagnosis and found out your fertility may be affected, then fertility preservation gives you a backup plan so you can focus on looking after yourself. Ovarian tissue freezing is used for women and transgender men experiencing this sort of medical diagnosis, as it can be organised and completed relatively quickly.
Once the ovarian tissue is removed, a trained fertility scientist processes this tissue sample and it is then frozen for future use. To use ovarian tissue, you will need to undergo another procedure to replace the ovarian tissue. After re-establishing hormonal function, you are then able to undergo an IVF cycle.
Male fertility preservation
Sperm freezing
For transgender women and male fertility preservation, sperm freezing is the only proven technique. For the best results, sperm freezing should be conducted prior to any medical treatment or procedure, but can be performed after receiving certain treatments of chemotherapy. Many people freeze sperm after being diagnosed with an illness that may result in a loss of sperm or as a preventative measure before a vasectomy. The patient will require a booking with the fertility clinic to freeze sperm. This ensures that the sperm is collected under optimal conditions and frozen within the correct time frame. Sperm frozen for preservation can last over 20 years and depending on thaw quality can be used for IUI, IVF, and ICSI cycles.
Your fertility preservation journey starts today
If you would like more information on fertility preservation or if you would like to get started on your journey, get in touch with our clinic today. We can provide you with actionable steps to guide you on your fertility journey. Our clinic provides both male and female fertility preservation services.
Fertility preservation expenses
Unfortunately, all of these fertility preservation options require out-of-pocket expenses. However, with some medical diagnoses, where the procedures are required, then you may be eligible for a Medicare rebate. Depending on your health insurance, you may also be able to claim some of the expense of fertility freezing through your health fund. You can talk to us for more information and Steven and his team will be happy to talk through your options.
Following guidelines
In Australia, the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) has ethical guidelines to establish the rules in which eggs, sperm, and embryos can be frozen, used, or discarded. These rules are designed to protect the interest of the patients. It is under these rules that full informed consent must be obtained prior to any cryopreservation taking place. To discuss your specific fertility preservation needs, please make a booking with Steven.