02 September 2026: What is egg freezing really like? A/Prof Alex Polyakov shares insights with The Age | The Age
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Key takeaways
- Egg freezing cycles more than doubled in Australia and New Zealand between 2020 and 2024, with particularly strong growth among people under 35.
- Everyone's experience of egg freezing can be different, with treatment plans, ovarian response and side effects varying between individuals.
- Ovarian stimulation involves fertility medications that encourage multiple follicles to develop so that eggs can be collected and frozen.
- Some people experience side effects during treatment, which may include bruising, bloating, fatigue, nausea or discomfort.
- AMH can provide information about ovarian reserve, but it is not a standalone measure of a person's fertility or their chance of conceiving naturally.
- Egg freezing does not guarantee a future baby. If frozen eggs are used later, several further steps need to occur before a live birth may result.
What is egg freezing really like? Understanding the process
Egg freezing is becoming increasingly common in Australia, but what does the process actually involve?
In a recent article published by The Age, one person shares their experience of freezing their eggs at 30, including some of the physical and emotional aspects of treatment they hadn’t expected.
Genea Melbourne City Medical Director and Fertility Specialist A/Prof Alex Polyakov provides expert commentary throughout the article, helping explain the egg freezing process, possible side effects and why freezing eggs should be viewed as an option for preserving fertility rather than a guarantee of having a baby in the future.
Why are more people freezing their eggs?
Egg freezing, also known as oocyte cryopreservation, involves collecting and freezing unfertilised eggs so they may potentially be used in the future.
Originally developed as a fertility preservation option for people whose medical treatment could affect their fertility, egg freezing is now also used by people who may want children in the future but aren't ready to try to conceive.
The latest data referenced by The Age shows elective egg freezing cycles more than doubled across Australia and New Zealand between 2020 and 2024, with demand increasing most among people under 35.
While egg freezing can provide another reproductive option for the future, it is important to understand both what the process involves and its limitations.
What does an egg freezing cycle involve?
An egg freezing cycle generally begins with an assessment and discussion with a fertility specialist. Depending on individual circumstances, this may include blood tests and an ultrasound to help assess ovarian reserve and inform the treatment plan.
During treatment, fertility medications are used to stimulate the ovaries so that multiple follicles can develop at the same time.
As A/Prof Polyakov explains in The Age, medication is also used during treatment to help prevent ovulation occurring before the eggs can be collected.
Patients are monitored throughout their cycle, which can involve blood tests and ultrasounds to assess how the ovaries are responding.
When the follicles are considered ready, a trigger medication is given before the egg collection procedure. The eggs collected are assessed for maturity, with suitable mature eggs then frozen and stored for potential future use.
The exact treatment protocol, timing and number of eggs collected will vary from person to person.
What does egg freezing feel like?
One of the themes explored in The Age article is that the person who shared their experience found egg freezing more physically and emotionally demanding than they had anticipated.
Their experience, however, isn’t necessarily representative of everyone who undergoes egg freezing.
A/Prof Polyakov explains that many people continue working and carrying out their usual activities during treatment and describes the process as usually fairly straightforward. At the same time, he stresses that egg freezing is not necessarily an insignificant experience.
Bruising and bloating are among the more common effects discussed in the article, while some people may experience symptoms such as fatigue, nausea or brain fog. A/Prof Polyakov also notes that abdominal discomfort can be more significant when a larger number of eggs are developing.
How someone responds to ovarian stimulation can vary, which is why individual monitoring throughout treatment is important.
Can you improve your egg quality before egg freezing?
The article also addresses some of the information about fertility and egg quality that patients may encounter online.
A/Prof Polyakov notes that evidence supporting many supplements promoted on social media is limited.
Rather than relying on claims that particular foods or supplements can significantly improve egg quality, anyone considering egg freezing should discuss their individual health and circumstances with their fertility specialist.
Age remains an important consideration because egg quality naturally changes as we get older.
What can AMH tell you about your fertility?
Anti-Müllerian Hormone, or AMH, is commonly used as a marker of ovarian reserve.
An AMH result can help fertility specialists understand how the ovaries may respond to stimulation and provide information that can assist in planning an egg freezing cycle.
However, ovarian reserve is not the same as overall fertility.
An AMH test alone cannot accurately predict whether someone will conceive naturally. This distinction is particularly important when interpreting an AMH result and making decisions about future fertility.
For the person who shared their experience with The Age, a lower-than-expected AMH result influenced their decision-making around egg freezing. However, the article also emphasises that AMH should not be treated as a standalone measure of fertility.
Does egg freezing guarantee a baby?
No. This is one of the most important limitations to understand when considering egg freezing.
As A/Prof Polyakov explains in The Age, regardless of the number of eggs frozen, there is no guarantee they will ultimately result in a baby.
If someone returns to use their frozen eggs in the future, there are several further stages before a live birth may occur. Eggs need to survive thawing and successfully fertilise, and resulting embryos need to develop before an embryo can be transferred and potentially result in pregnancy and live birth.
Not every egg will successfully progress through every stage.
Egg freezing is therefore better understood as a fertility preservation option that may provide another opportunity to have a biological child in the future, rather than a guarantee.
Is egg freezing right for you?
There isn't one age, number of eggs or treatment experience that applies to everyone.
Whether egg freezing is appropriate for you will depend on your individual circumstances, including your age, ovarian reserve, medical history and future family plans.
A consultation with a fertility specialist can help you understand what egg freezing involves, what it may mean in your individual circumstances and the limitations of treatment before deciding whether to proceed.
About the authors
Dr. Alex Polyakov
Medical Director Melbourne City and Fertility Specialist MBBS, MClinEpid, MReproMed, MHlth&MedLaw, MBioeth, GradCertEBM, FACLM, FANZCOG
Melbourne Fertility Specialist A/Prof Alex Polyakov at Genea. Complete fertility care from IVF to delivery, combining clinical expertise & academic research.
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