Address your fertility today so you may have more options tomorrow.
For young women facing cancer treatment or other medical therapies that may impact fertility, time is of the essence. Traditional fertility preservation methods like embryo or egg freezing may not be possible when urgent treatment is required or if you have not yet reached puberty. This is where ovarian tissue freezing may become a valuable solution.
This emerging technique offers a chance to preserve your ovarian function and future fertility by removing and cryopreserving ovarian tissue before treatment begins. At Create Fertility, we are proud to offer ovarian tissue freezing in Melbourne, with a knowledgeable and compassionate team that will guide you every step of the way.
Ovarian tissue freezing is a multi-stage process designed to preserve future fertility in a way that is both flexible and proactive.
Having ovarian tissue cryopreserved typically looks like:
Ovarian tissue is removed using a minimally invasive procedure called laparoscopy. This procedure is performed under general anaesthesia and typically involves a short hospital stay.
A section of the ovary containing immature eggs and ovarian follicles is carefully removed, then prepared for freezing. Recovery time is typically a few days, and if necessary, cancer treatment may begin as early as the next day in most cases.
The ovarian tissue is cut into thin slices and frozen using advanced cryopreservation techniques. This frozen ovarian tissue is then stored safely in a controlled facility for future use. The tissue may remain cryopreserved for many years, providing flexibility in family planning.
When you are ready to conceive, the frozen ovarian tissue is thawed and grafted back into the body. This is usually done via another laparoscopic procedure, with the tissue placed near the remaining ovary or on the pelvic lining (peritoneum). In most cases, transplanted ovarian tissue resumes activity and begins producing reproductive hormones within four to six months.
Once the grafted tissue is active and producing follicles, hormonal stimulation may be used to help mature the eggs. These eggs may then be collected and fertilised through in vitro fertilisation (IVF). While spontaneous pregnancy is possible, many people use IVF. Multiple IVF cycles may be required, depending on how many mature eggs are retrieved.
Ready to potentially preserve your fertility?
Ovarian tissue freezing may be an option for patients who are at risk of declining fertility due to urgent medical treatment or specific conditions.
It may be particularly relevant for:
Because it bypasses the need for ovarian stimulation, ovarian tissue freezing is also currently the only fertility preservation method available for pre-pubertal girls.
The procedure is generally safe. However, it involves laparoscopic surgery, and while this type of surgery is typically considered safe, all surgery carries risks. These risks include infection, bleeding, and reaction to anaesthetic, among others. For patients with blood cancers like acute leukemia, there may be a higher risk of reintroducing malignant cells through transplantation. Your doctor will discuss risks with you, providing the information you need to make an informed decision.
Frozen ovarian tissue often responds well, with reproductive hormone activity later restored in many cases. Worldwide activity published in peer-reviewed papers has confirmed many successful pregnancies and live births. However, cryopreserved ovarian tissue is not guaranteed to result in pregnancy, as success rates vary and depend on many individual factors.
Ovarian tissue freezing cost varies depending on a wide variety of factors, including surgeon and theatre fees and storage and transport costs. In some cases, private health insurance plans may cover certain costs; however, you will need to contact your provider for further details.
Ovarian tissue cryopreservation offers several potential advantages, including:
Our doctor-owned and led team includes fertility specialists with extensive experience in ovarian cryopreservation and fertility preservation surgery.
We understand the emotional weight of making decisions about fertility preservation and guide you with warmth, clarity, and respect.
We are pioneers in advanced reproductive medicine, bringing the latest scientific approaches to your care.
Whether you are about to start cancer treatment or are navigating a condition that may affect your fertility, ovarian tissue freezing may give you options. Our Melbourne-based fertility specialists are here to assess your situation, answer your questions, and provide support throughout the process. Contact us today to find out more.
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359 Blackburn Rd, Mount Waverley VIC 3149
226 Clarendon St, East Melbourne VIC 3002
Suite 3, 72 Gloucester Avenue, Berwick, VIC, 3806
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Planning for a baby, or already trying? Learn what can influence your fertility.
Date: Wednesday 19 November 2025
Time: 7:00 PM AEDT
Location: Live via Microsoft Teams
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