Egg Freezing in India: Cost, Success Rates & What to Expect

11/19/2024 6:02:00 AM   Lotus IVF Team   

Introduction

Egg freezing, also known as oocyte cryopreservation, is an advanced fertility preservation technique that enables women to store their eggs for future use. At Lotus IVF, Bareilly, we empower women in India to take control of their reproductive future—whether for career, health, or personal reasons. With cutting-edge technology and compassionate care, we make this journey smoother, ensuring that motherhood remains your choice, on your timeline.

What is Egg Freezing?

Egg freezing involves retrieving, freezing, and storing a woman's eggs for later use. This option is suitable for those who want to delay childbirth due to career, medical conditions, or personal reasons. The egg-freezing process includes multiple steps to ensure high success rates.

Who is a Good Candidate for Freezing Eggs?

• Women who want to delay pregnancy for career or personal reasons.
• Those undergoing medical treatments like chemotherapy that may affect fertility.
• Individuals with a family history of early menopause.
• Women with conditions like endometriosis that may impact egg quality.

Preparation for egg-freezing

Before the procedure, the patient undergoes hormonal stimulation to encourage egg production. A series of blood tests and ultrasounds help monitor the response to these medications. An egg quality test is essential in this phase to ensure that only healthy eggs are selected for freezing. The preparation phase typically lasts 10–14 days.

The Egg Freezing Procedure

Once the eggs mature, they are retrieved using a minimally invasive egg retrieval procedure under mild sedation. The retrieved eggs are then rapidly frozen using a process called vitrification, which prevents ice crystal formation and preserves egg quality.

What is the Egg Retrieval Process?

The egg retrieval procedure is a critical step in egg freezing and involves the following:

1. Final Maturation Injection: Once the eggs reach the optimal size, a trigger shot (such as hCG) is administered to help them mature before retrieval.
2. Sedation & Procedure: The process takes about 15-20 minutes and is done under mild sedation to ensure comfort. A thin needle is inserted through the vaginal wall into the ovaries to collect mature eggs.
3. Ultrasound-Guided Aspiration: Using an ultrasound for precision, the eggs are gently aspirated from the ovarian follicles.
4. Laboratory Processing: The retrieved eggs are immediately assessed for quality and prepared for vitrification (freezing).
5. Recovery: Patients can usually return home the same day, experiencing mild cramping or bloating for a short period.

Where Are Eggs Stored?

Eggs are stored in liquid nitrogen at temperatures around -196°C in specialized cryopreservation facilities. Clinics charge an initial freezing fee and an annual storage fee, which can range from INR 10,000 to INR 30,000 per year in India. The cost of freezing eggs in India varies depending on the clinic and storage duration.

Side Effects of Egg Freezing

Some women may experience mild side effects from hormonal stimulation, including:

• Bloating and discomfort
• Mood swings
• Breast tenderness
• Temporary weight gain
• Rarely, ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS)

How successful is Egg Freezing?

The success rate of egg transfer using frozen eggs depends on various factors, including the woman’s age at the time of freezing. Generally, eggs frozen before the age of 35 have a higher success rate. The chances of a successful pregnancy using frozen eggs can range between 30% to 60%.

Key Decisions to Consider

• How many eggs to freeze? Experts suggest freezing at least 10–15 eggs for a good chance of future pregnancy.
• Storage duration: While eggs can remain viable for years, some clinics have limits on how long they will store them.
• Costs involved: The overall egg freezing cost in India varies between INR 50,000 to INR 1,50,000, with additional charges for medications and storage. For those considering IVF, the cost of egg donation IVF and the cost of donor egg IVF can add to the overall expenses.

Will Long-Term Freezing Damage My Eggs?

No, vitrification technology ensures that eggs remain intact without damage. The success of using frozen eggs largely depends on their quality at the time of freezing rather than the duration of storage.

Final Thoughts

Egg freezing is a valuable option for women who want reproductive flexibility. Understanding the egg freezing process, costs, success rates, side effects of egg freezing, and key decisions involved can help make an informed choice. Consulting with a fertility specialist can provide personalized insights into whether this is the right option for you.

F&Q

1. Is egg freezing painful?

The procedure itself is not painful as it is done under sedation, but some women may experience mild bloating or discomfort after egg retrieval.

2. What is the best age to freeze eggs?

Doctors recommend freezing eggs before the age of 35 for the highest success rates.

3. How much does egg freezing cost in India?

The cost of freezing eggs in India ranges from INR 50,000 to INR 1,50,000, excluding annual storage fees.

4. How long can eggs be stored?

Eggs can be stored indefinitely without damage due to advanced vitrification techniques. Most clinics offer storage for 5–10 years.

5. Does freezing eggs affect their quality?

No, the egg freezing process using vitrification ensures eggs remain in optimal condition until they are thawed for fertilization.

6. Can I get pregnant naturally after freezing my eggs?

Yes! Freezing eggs does not affect natural fertility, so you can still conceive naturally if you choose not to use them.

7. What happens when I want to use my frozen eggs?

The eggs are thawed, fertilized with sperm through IVF, and then transferred into the uterus in a procedure called egg transfer.

8. Can I donate my frozen eggs?

Yes, but regulations vary. If considering a donation, discuss it with your fertility specialist to understand the cost of egg donation IVF and eligibility requirements.

9. How many eggs should I freeze for a successful pregnancy?

Experts recommend freezing at least 10–15 eggs to increase the chances of a successful pregnancy.

10. What are the alternatives to egg freezing?

Alternatives include embryo freezing, sperm freezing (for male partners), and donor egg IVF, which has its own costs (cost for donor egg IVF).

11. What is the difference between egg freezing and embryo freezing?

Egg freezing preserves unfertilized eggs, while embryo freezing involves fertilizing the eggs with sperm before freezing them.

12. Where can I freeze my eggs in India?

Many fertility clinics across major cities like Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore, and Chennai offer egg-freezing services. Research the best one based on success rates and storage facilities.