Egg freezing is the process by which we cryopreserve a woman’s eggs and store them until such a time that she is ready to have a family. We also utilise this technique in speci c medical instances where we cannot perform IVF on eggs retrieved as part of an IVF treatment cycle.
Egg freezing is essentially an interrupted IVF cycle. We stimulate the production of follicles using medication prescribed by our medical team. Each of these follicles should contain an egg. We monitor follicular development using transvaginal ultrasound scans and hormone blood tests which start early in the menstrual cycle.
Just like in an IVF cycle, when the follicles have reached optimum levels of development we trigger ovulation using a hormone injection and carry out an egg retrieval procedure in one of our operating theatres under conscious sedation.
This is the point at which it deviates from an IVF treatment, and rather than fertilise the eggs using partner or donor sperm, any mature eggs retrieved are cryopreserved in our
What is Egg Freezing?
laboratory. Sometimes, the procedure is repeated depending on the number of eggs retrieved and the individual wishes of the patient.
When it comes to the time that our patient would like to return to us to use these eggs, whether with a partner, or as an individual to use with donor sperm, we then thaw the eggs and proceed to use ICSI (intra-cytoplasmic sperm injection) to fertilise the eggs.
The embryos resulting from this process are placed back inside the uterus during the embryo transfer procedure, and surplus embryos can be cryopreserved for use in the future.
The ideal age for a woman to freeze her eggs is in her late 20's or early 30's. It is still an option, however, for older women who fall outside this ideal age bracket. During your consultation our medical team will give you an honest and realistic opinion on whether this is a viable route for you.
What to Expect Consultation
At your rst appointment you will meet with one of our doctors who will describe, in detail, the egg freezing procedure; what to expect throughout the process; success rates for your own particular case and the expected outcome. The doctor will also outline tests that you need to complete prior
Diagnostics
The next step in the process is to prepare you for your treatment. You will be encouraged to book in for tests like an AMH (Anti-müllerian hormone), blood tests and an ultrasound.
to commencing treatment to ensure that you are an appropriate candidate for this type of procedure. The consultation generally lasts approximately one hour and is a good opportunity to ask questions and voice any concerns or worries you may have.
You can schedule your review appointment, if required. We will let you know when to do this to allow enough time for your tests result to be completed.
Counselling Nurse Consultation
You will be encouraged to book in for a session with one of our a liated specialist fertility counsellors who will discuss the implications of undergoing this treatment and o er emotional support.
During this appointment you will be contacted by one of our nursing team via a phonecall or a zoom meeting who will go through the expected process with you. They will discuss the consent forms that will have been sent to you via an electronic platform and answer any questions you may have. They will direct you to the patient portal where you will nd medication demonstration videos.
They will advise you on how to start the treatment cycle. If not already arranged or completed, they will also organise your viral screen blood tests (HIV, Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C).
Treatment Cycle
You will likely undergo three or four scans over the course of your treatment prior to the actual egg retrieval procedure. The scan appointments last around 15 minutes and you will be able to go about your day as normal afterwards. You will be advised of the next steps, which may be to attend for another scan or to attend for your egg collection. In some instances, we have to cancel the treatment cycle if you have not responded the treatment as expected. In the case of cancellations, we do have a refund policy, your case
will be discussed by our medical team and we will contact you to discuss how best to proceed.
When you are ready to attend for egg collection you will be given instructions by our nursing team. We ask that you read these carefully and talk to if you are unsure of anything. The egg collection is usually carried out under conscious sedation in our clinic. Most people are ready to leave approximately one hour afterwards and we ask that you make sure someone is available to accompany you. In most cases you will be t to return to work the following day however if you feel unwell please contact the clinic.
Post Treatment Cycle
You will receive a message from our laboratory con rming the outcome of the procedure and how many eggs we have in storage for you. Our administration team will also arrange a review consultation with your doctor to discuss the outcome of your cycle. Sometimes people opt to do another cycle of egg freezing, in which case we can start the process again for you once you are ready. Otherwise we will contact you on an annual basis to arrange for payment of the annual storage fee.
These are typical costs but may not be entirely re ective of what you may need. Each patient is individually assessed and appropriate tests ordered at consultation stage.
You may be eligible to claim back 20% of your medical expenses directly from Revenue. ReproMed does not take responsibility for your eligibility/quali cation for this scheme. Please visit www.revenue.ie for more information.
Discounts are available if you are a Vhi member. Any member of our support team will be able to advise on your own policy bene ts.
A full breakdown of costs and refund policies is available on request. All prices are subject to change.
Reception area in ReproMed Dundrum, Dublin
ReproMed as an Education Facility
ReproMed is a recognised training facility for medical and clinical students. If you have any issues or
Contact us
ReproMed Dublin
5th Floor Rock eld Medical Campus Northblock, Dundrum, D16 W7W3
ReproMed Galway
Brooklawn House Galway West Business Park, Rahoon, Galway, H91 CRN2
ReproMed Kilkenny
Ayr eld Medical Park, Granges Rd, Kilkenny, R95 FE0H
concerns with the education of students during your treatment cycle, please inform one of our sta .
ReproMed Cork
Unit 6, Classes Lake Retail Centre, Ovens, Co Cork, P31 HY36
ReproMed Drogheda
Unit 2, 1st Floor, Dublin Road, Drogheda, Co Louth, Drogheda, A92 EHOX
