Many women today plan their careers, education or personal goals before starting a family. Egg freezing is one way to keep the option of having a baby later, but it works best when planned early and with realistic expectations.
What is egg freezing?
Egg freezing involves stimulating the ovaries with hormone injections, collecting the eggs and freezing them by vitrification. Later, the eggs can be thawed, fertilised by ICSI and an embryo transferred. See egg freezing and egg freezing explained.
Who is egg freezing for?
- Women who want to delay pregnancy for career, study or personal reasons
- Women who have not yet met a partner they wish to have children with
- Women with a family history of early menopause or low ovarian reserve
When should you think about it?
Age at freezing is the most important factor. Eggs frozen before about 35 have a better chance of leading to a pregnancy later than eggs frozen in the late 30s or 40s. If you are in your early 30s and think you may want children later, it is worth having a conversation with a fertility specialist now. See age and fertility.
What tests are done first?
An AMH blood test and an ultrasound scan to count the small follicles help predict how many eggs may be collected. See low AMH.
Benefits and limitations
Benefits
- Eggs are stored at your current age
- It gives more time for decisions about relationships and family
- It can reduce pressure around a “deadline”
Limitations
- It does not guarantee a future pregnancy
- More than one cycle may be needed to store enough eggs
- Using the eggs later still involves IVF
- There are costs for treatment and yearly storage
Balancing work and treatment
An egg-freezing cycle takes about two weeks, with several short morning visits for scans and a day off for egg collection. Most women continue working during stimulation.
Talk to a specialist
A consultation can help you understand your ovarian reserve and decide whether and when egg freezing makes sense for you. See techniques to preserve fertility in women.
Frequently asked questions
Is 35 too late to freeze eggs?
Not necessarily, but results are better when eggs are frozen earlier. A specialist can advise based on your ovarian reserve.
How long can eggs stay frozen?
Eggs can remain viable for many years when frozen by vitrification, but Indian law sets limits on storage time.
Can I keep working during egg freezing?
Yes. Most women continue working, with short visits for scans and a day off for egg collection.
If you have questions about your own situation, you can meet our doctors at our Basavanagudi, Koramangala and Ballari centres, or contact us to book an appointment.
This article is for general information and does not replace medical advice. Treatment decisions should be made with a qualified doctor who knows your history.