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Fertility is something many people don’t think much about—until they have to. Whether it’s because of personal timing, career goals, medical treatments, or not having found the right partner yet, many women today are exploring ways to preserve their fertility. One such option that’s gained popularity in recent years is egg freezing.
But what exactly is it? Who should consider it? What are the side effects, age limits, and how does the egg freezing process work? This article answers all those questions in a simple, easy-to-understand way, with expert insights from specialists at Manipal Hospital Kharadi.
Synopsis
- What Is Egg Freezing?
- Why Do Women Freeze Their Eggs?
- How Does the Egg Freezing Process Work?
- What Is the Ideal Age for Egg Freezing?
- Success Rates: What to Expect
- Are There Any Egg Freezing Side Effects?
- Cost Considerations
- Who Should Not Consider Egg Freezing?
- Emotional Aspects and Counselling
- Conclusion
What Is Egg Freezing?
Egg freezing, medically called oocyte cryopreservation, is a method used to preserve a woman’s fertility. It involves collecting eggs from the ovaries, freezing them unfertilised, and storing them for future use. When the woman is ready to get pregnant, the eggs can be thawed, fertilised with sperm, and implanted into the uterus.
In simpler words, it’s a way for women to "pause their biological clock" and have a baby later in life when they're ready.
Why Do Women Freeze Their Eggs?
There are various reasons women consider egg freezing:
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Medical Reasons: Women undergoing cancer treatments (like chemotherapy or radiation) may freeze their eggs before treatment, which could harm fertility.
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Age-Related Concerns: Fertility declines with age, especially after 35. Egg freezing allows younger eggs to be preserved for future use.
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Personal or Career Plans: Some may choose to focus on education, career growth, or simply haven’t found the right partner yet.
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Family History: If there’s a known history of early menopause, egg freezing can offer a sense of security.
At Manipal Hospital Kharadi, fertility specialists help women assess their situation to decide if egg freezing is the right choice for them.
How Does the Egg Freezing Process Work?
The egg freezing process is a step-by-step medical procedure that typically takes two to three weeks to complete:
1. Initial Consultation
This includes blood tests and an ultrasound to assess your ovarian reserve (how many eggs are in your ovaries). Hormone levels like AMH (Anti-Müllerian Hormone) are also tested.
2. Ovarian Stimulation
You’ll take hormone injections daily for about 10–14 days to stimulate your ovaries to produce multiple eggs instead of the usual one per cycle.
3. Monitoring
You’ll have several ultrasounds and blood tests to monitor how your eggs are developing.
4. Egg Retrieval
Once the eggs are mature, a minor surgical procedure under sedation is performed to collect them. This typically takes 20–30 minutes.
5. Freezing
The collected eggs are rapidly cooled using a technique called vitrification and stored at sub-zero temperatures until you're ready to use them.
At Manipal Hospital Kharadi, advanced vitrification methods are used to ensure the highest survival rates of eggs after thawing.
What Is the Ideal Age for Egg Freezing?
This brings us to a key question: What is the egg freezing age limit?
Fertility specialists generally recommend that the best time to freeze your eggs is in your 20s or early 30s, when egg quality is highest. That said, many women freeze their eggs up to the age of 38 with good outcomes.
Upper Age Limit: While there’s no strict medical rule, most clinics suggest egg freezing before the age of 40, as the success rate significantly decreases beyond that age.
The team at Manipal Hospital Kharadi offers age-appropriate counselling and ensures patients understand both the possibilities and limitations of egg freezing.
Success Rates: What to Expect
Success depends largely on the age at which the eggs were frozen. The younger the woman at the time of freezing, the better the chances of a successful pregnancy later.
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Women who freeze eggs before 35 have higher success rates.
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On average, it takes 10–15 frozen eggs to achieve one live birth.
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Not every egg will survive the thawing process or result in fertilisation.
Having realistic expectations is essential, and specialists at Manipal Hospital Kharadi ensure patients have a clear picture of their prospects.
Are There Any Egg Freezing Side Effects?
While the procedure is generally safe, there are some egg freezing side effects and potential risks to be aware of:
Short-term Side Effects:
During Retrieval:
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Mild discomfort
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Light bleeding
Rare but Serious Risks:
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Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome (OHSS), where the ovaries become swollen and painful.
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Infection or bleeding from the retrieval process.
The expert fertility team closely monitors each stage to ensure risks are minimised and patient comfort is prioritised.
Cost Considerations
Egg freezing isn’t cheap, and costs can vary depending on location, medication needs, and the number of cycles. The process typically includes:
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Initial assessment and consultation
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Hormonal medications (often the costliest part)
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Egg retrieval and anaesthesia
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Freezing and annual storage fees
While it’s an investment, many consider it a form of reproductive insurance. Several women report peace of mind knowing they’ve taken control of their fertility future.
Who Should Not Consider Egg Freezing?
Egg freezing is not ideal for everyone. Women with significantly low ovarian reserve or those already over 40 may have limited benefit from the procedure.
Also, women who are not comfortable with fertility treatments, or those who cannot undergo hormonal stimulation due to medical conditions, might want to explore other options like donor eggs or adoption.
Emotional Aspects and Counselling
Fertility preservation is as much an emotional journey as it is a medical one. Some women feel empowered by taking control of their fertility, while others may experience anxiety or disappointment. We provide counselling at every step of the way to help women make informed and emotionally confident decisions.
Conclusion
Egg freezing offers modern women a unique opportunity to plan their reproductive future on their own terms. Whether it’s for medical reasons or personal choice, it allows for flexibility and peace of mind.
Still, it’s essential to have a clear understanding of the egg freezing process, its age limits, and potential side effects. It’s not a guarantee of future pregnancy, but a helpful option in many cases.
If you're considering egg freezing or just want to know more, speak to a fertility expert at the Best Gynaecology Hospital in Kharadi, Pune – Manipal Hospital. Our dedicated team will guide you through each step with expert, personalised care.
FAQ's
The ideal time is in your 20s or early 30s. After 35, egg quality and quantity decline.
Most experts recommend freezing at least 10–15 eggs to increase the chance of a future pregnancy.
The procedure itself is done under sedation and is not painful. Some women report mild discomfort from hormone injections.
There’s no expiry on frozen eggs, but clinics may have policies on maximum age for embryo transfer, usually up to 50.
There are no known long-term side effects. The process is considered safe when monitored by professionals.
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