Peace of mind. Hardly a problematic concept in a world that can offer so little of it. But what if that peace of mind comes at a significant physical and financial cost?
For women undergoing the process of freezing their eggs, this is often part of the narrative. A promise of future security, of buying time, and taking control over an unpredictable biological clock. And for many, it delivers exactly that.
Recently however, the demographic choosing to freeze their eggs has shifted, with more women in their mid to late 20s opting for the procedure to safeguard their fertility.
According to Dr Tessa Copp, a University of Sydney expert specialising in women’s reproductive health, the sudden spike is being driven by broader societal and economic pressures, along with a lack of transparency in advertisements from IVF clinics.
What are the downsides of freezing your eggs?
Anyone who’s undergone IVF will tell you it’s far from easy – and quite daunting for those who don’t like needles – cue the two weeks of hormone injections and blood tests.
Dr Copp says the invasiveness and effectiveness of the procedure is often left out of the conversation – particularly by IVF clinics who have an invested interest.
“It’s quite a big and invasive procedure, and it’s not risk-free; there can be quite rare but serious side effects.
“And I do think that there needs to be much higher awareness that only ten or 11 per cent of women actually return to use the eggs.
“Of that percentage, only around 30 per cent will have a live birth from the use of those frozen eggs.”
Is egg freezing covered by Medicare in Australia?
For women undergoing the procedure, particularly in their mid to late 20s, the financial burden can be significant.
“Egg freezing is incredibly expensive. Most women need more than one cycle to have a realistic chance of success, with total costs often reaching $20,000 to $30,000.
“There are reports of some women even tapping into their Super, and that puts them at a further gender disadvantage down the track.”
And sadly, there is usually no Medicare rebate for the procedure. We say usually as in some rare cases, if egg freezing is deemed medically necessary due to conditions that may affect future fertility – like severe endometriosis or a cancer diagnosis – a Medicare rebate may be available.
What’s the best age to freeze your eggs?
According to an Australian review published in the Australian Journal of General Practice, “the most balanced and logical time to freeze eggs is between 32–38 years of age.”
Of course, as aforementioned, more women in their mid to late 20s are now opting to have the procedure done.
To understand the factors driving the rise in young women choosing to freeze their eggs, we need to consider it within a broader global context.
Across the world, people are having children later in life – but this delay isn’t always rooted in empowerment or purely personal choice.
“There has been a shift globally, and I think that comes from a prioritisation of careers but also, the crazy high cost of living, unaffordable housing as well as climate change – people aren’t necessarily sure they want to bring children into this world,” says Dr Copp.
With younger generations facing an increasingly unstable environment, IVF companies can appear as the only solution.
“I think the promotion and fixation of egg freezing really does emphasise individual responsibility,” says Dr Copp.
“Things like subsidised childcare or affordable housing make it more possible for women to have children at a younger age and have that career, rather than putting it all on women to front up that cost.”
Should I freeze my eggs?
Ultimately, the decision for women to freeze their eggs is deeply personal and not one that is necessarily right or wrong, but rather a choice that should come from an unbiased and well-informed perspective.
“IVF clinic website and not neutral parties,” says Dr Copp.
“They have a financial motivation to get more people to freeze their eggs, so just be a bit more critical about the information they’re giving to you.”
If you are unsure, Dr Copp encourages all individuals interested individuals to approach their GP with any questions they might have,
“Ask your doctor for personalised estimates of how many eggs you need to freeze to have a reasonable chance of a baby down the track, and then also get a really clear understanding of the cost.”
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