Is egg freezing painful?

The procedure involves hormonal injections and a minor surgery for retrieval. While not pain-free, most people describe the discomfort as manageable.

How many eggs should be frozen for the best chances of pregnancy?

It depends on age, but generally freezing 10–20 eggs is considered ideal for one live birth.

Can I use my eggs if I am over 40 when I want to get pregnant?

Yes, if the eggs were frozen at a younger age, they retain that age’s viability.

Are there long-term health risks of egg freezing?

There are no known long-term health risks from egg freezing, but it’s best to consult a doctor for personalised advice.

Egg Freezing 2.0: What’s New in the Past 5 Years?

Oocyte cryopreservation or egg freezing is a rapidly growing fertility preservation procedure which enables women to freeze their eggs to be used in the future. More women are considering this option, whether it is because of medical necessity, career planning or personal choice to delay childbearing and push the reproductive clock. Women have the potential to enhance their ability to conceive in their later years by having healthy eggs harvested and frozen at the prime fertility age. It is necessary to know how the process works, what the advantages and shortcomings are, as well as the success rates, to make informed choices regarding reproductive planning.

What's Changed in the Past Five Years?

There have been multiple developments that have greatly improved egg freezing.

Vitrification Techniques: There have been improvements in egg freezing due to the introduction of better vitrification processes. Vitrification is a flash-freezing technique that reduces the formation of ice crystals, which can damage egg quality. Over the last five years, protocols have been optimised, improving the survival rate of thawed eggs.
Better Hormonal Stimulation Protocols: The medication used to stimulate the ovaries before egg retrieval has become more tailored. Clinics now give lower doses of drugs when needed, which helps reduce discomfort and side effects for patients.
Higher Success Rates: As lab techniques and methods have been improved, the number of success stories using frozen eggs has gone up. New studies show that frozen eggs have come close to the success rates of fresh eggs in IVF pregnancy treatment.
More Inclusive Guidelines: In the past, the procedure was mostly suggested for medical needs like cancer. Currently, many people can opt for social egg freezing to help them preserve their fertility for different individual reasons.
AI and Lab Automation: Several fertility clinics now rely on AI and lab automation to choose embryos. Thanks to these tools, embryologists can choose the best eggs and embryos, which may improve the success of the procedure.

Who should consider egg freezing at present?

If you are:

In your late 20s or early 30s, when you’re still not certain about being a parent just yet.
Facing medical conditions such as cancer, which might lead to fertility problems.
Experiencing illnesses such as endometriosis or early loss of ovarian function.
Focused on career, education, or still looking for a suitable partner.

Then, considering egg freezing could be a proactive option.

Changes in Cost and Accessibility in India

People in India used to see egg freezing as a luxury, but now it’s becoming easier for anyone to use. Urban clinics are now starting to allow people to use instalment plans and offers for fertility preservation.

Usually, the total price for one cycle of IVF is between INR 1.2 lakh and INR 2.5 lakh, not counting yearly storage.
With the implementation of better procedures, people may require only a few cycles to gather enough eggs, which can lower expenses for some.

Risks and Considerations

Although egg freezing is more secure now, it still has some risks:

OHSS or Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome is a rare complication from fertility medications
Surgical Risks: The egg retrieval process, though minor, is a surgical procedure with some associated risks
Repeated cycles and costs again and again are both financially and emotionally draining.

It is important to bring up these issues with a fertility specialist before deciding what to do.

Psychological Shifts Around Egg Freezing

There’s been a notable shift in how egg freezing is perceived. Earlier, it was often associated with desperation or a last resort. Now, it is increasingly seen as an act of empowerment.

More individuals are discussing their egg freezing experiences on social media, which helps form groups where people can encourage and guide each other.
Assisting Emotions: Counsellors are increasingly made available at fertility clinics because it is understood how difficult the process of fertility preservation can be.

How to Prepare for Egg Freezing

Here are some things to keep in mind whether egg freezing is something you want to consider:

Your doctor may recommend tests like AMH (Anti-Müllerian Hormone) to check your ovarian reserve.
Make sure the clinic is accredited and keeps successful records when freezing eggs.
Success rates are typically higher when eggs are frozen before the age of 35.
Most clinics require an annual charge for keeping your samples in their storage facility. Understand what happens after a certain period and confirm whether it is possible to have eggs moved elsewhere.

What Follows After Freezing?

You can store your eggs for as long as 10 years (and sometimes for even more under certain conditions). As soon as you’re arranged, you can move on to using them.

They are thawed safely and securely.
The IVF procedure is used to fertilise them.
Doctors put the resulting embryos into your uterus as the next step.

The last five years have brought about a new dawn in egg freezing, which many have termed as Egg Freezing 2.0. This is through improved ovarian stimulation protocols, better vitrification procedures, and more profound genetic screening, all of which have increased success rates and safety. Broadened insurance cover and lower treatment prices have increased the availability of the procedure, and developing evidence provides more appropriate guidance on when to do it and what to expect. New technologies of storage and thawing have made the eggs' integrity better than before. With advances in the past few years, egg freezing is no longer considered experimental for women who may be looking at fertility preservation as an option to extend their reproductive possibilities.

FAQs on Egg Freezing 2.0: What’s Changed in the Past 5 Years?

Is egg freezing painful?
The procedure involves hormonal injections and a minor surgery for retrieval. While not pain-free, most people describe the discomfort as manageable.
How many eggs should be frozen for the best chances of pregnancy?
It depends on age, but generally freezing 10–20 eggs is considered ideal for one live birth.
Can I use my eggs if I am over 40 when I want to get pregnant?
Yes, if the eggs were frozen at a younger age, they retain that age’s viability.
Are there long-term health risks of egg freezing?
There are no known long-term health risks from egg freezing, but it’s best to consult a doctor for personalised advice.