Egg freezing is a form of fertility preservation for women who aren’t ready for motherhood yet but want to keep their options open for the future. As we know that natural fertility declines with age, being proactive in freezing your eggs while you’re young can give you that much-needed peace of mind.
You may consider preserving your fertility through egg freezing if you:
Though there is no strict upper age limit for egg freezing, the older your age (and the age of your eggs), the lower the likelihood of a successful pregnancy using those eggs. The egg freezing process preserves the quality of the eggs at the age at which they were frozen – so the earlier you consider egg freezing, the better your chances of success in the future.
Dr Holland will prescribe hormone injections to stimulate your ovaries to produce multiple eggs for collection through a short day procedure.
These eggs are examined by the experienced embryologists at Genea Newcastle, who can identify which eggs are mature and suitable for preservation. The next step is to freeze the collected eggs through a process known as vitrification, a rapid cooling technique that minimises damage to the eggs by avoiding the formation of ice crystals.
Your frozen eggs are stored in a controlled environment in liquid nitrogen at Genea’s state-of-the-art facility until you’re ready to use them.
The egg retrieval procedure is minimally invasive and performed under anaesthesia, so discomfort is minimal. Some women feel mild cramping and pain, which can usually be managed with over-the-counter painkillers.
Eggs can be stored for many years without significant decline in quality. When you’re ready to use them, they are thawed, fertilised with sperm via ICSI, and the resulting embryos are transferred to your uterus. It’s a well-established process with high success rates.
Like any medical procedure, there are some risks, but they are minimal. Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) from the ovulation stimulation medication is a rare but potential risk. With proper monitoring and adjustment of medications, we aim to minimise any potential side effects.
While there are no absolute guarantees, egg freezing significantly improves the chances of a successful pregnancy when the eggs are used. Success depends on various factors, including your age at the time of freezing and the number of eggs retrieved. Around 90% of women aged under 35 who freeze between 20-30 eggs go on to have a successful pregnancy.
The decision is entirely yours. If you don’t use the eggs, they can be kept frozen until you decide otherwise. If you choose not to use them, they can be discarded, donated, or used for research, depending on local regulations.
Dr Holland’s rooms will be closed on Friday, 15 August 2025
