In January 2025, Karishma Mehta, the 32-year-old founder and CEO of Humans of Bombay, announced that she had frozen her eggs, a decision she had been contemplating for some time. This personal milestone reflects a broader trend among young, career-oriented women in urban India who are increasingly opting for egg freezing to preserve their fertility.
Understanding Egg Freezing
Egg freezing, or oocyte cryopreservation, is a medical procedure that allows women to preserve their eggs for future use. The process involves stimulating the ovaries with hormonal injections to produce multiple eggs, retrieving these eggs through a minor surgical procedure, and then freezing them using a method called vitrification. When a woman decides to conceive, the eggs can be thawed, fertilized with sperm in a laboratory setting, and implanted into the uterus through in vitro fertilization (IVF).
The Rising Popularity of Egg Freezing
In recent years, there has been a notable increase in the number of women opting for egg freezing. Reports indicate a steady rise in women choosing this procedure, particularly among those who wish to delay motherhood to focus on their professional development, pursue further education, or find the right partner.
Factors Contributing to the Trend
Several factors contribute to the growing popularity of egg freezing among young women:
- Career Aspirations – Many women prioritize establishing their careers before starting a family. Egg freezing offers the flexibility to delay motherhood without compromising future fertility.
- Educational Pursuits – Advanced education often requires significant time and commitment, leading some women to postpone childbearing. Egg freezing provides an option to focus on education while preserving the possibility of future motherhood.
- Finding the Right Partner – The desire to find a compatible partner can lead to delays in starting a family. Egg freezing allows women to wait until they are in a stable relationship before having children.
- Medical Reasons – Women diagnosed with conditions that may affect fertility, such as cancer requiring chemotherapy, may choose to freeze their eggs before treatment.
- Personal Autonomy – Egg freezing empowers women to make reproductive choices on their terms, free from societal or familial pressures.
The Procedure: What to Expect
The egg freezing process involves several steps:
- Ovarian Stimulation – Women self-administer hormonal injections for about 10-12 days to stimulate the ovaries to produce multiple eggs.
- Monitoring – Regular ultrasounds and blood tests monitor the development of the eggs during the stimulation phase.
- Egg Retrieval – Once the eggs are mature, they are retrieved through a minor surgical procedure under sedation.
- Freezing – The retrieved eggs are frozen using vitrification, a rapid freezing technique that prevents ice crystal formation, preserving the quality of the eggs.
Safety and Success Rates
Egg freezing is considered a safe procedure, but like any medical intervention, it carries potential risks and side effects. Common side effects include bloating, nausea, mood swings, and discomfort. A rare but more serious complication is ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS), where the ovaries become swollen and painful.
Success rates for achieving a live birth using frozen eggs vary based on factors such as the woman’s age at the time of freezing and the number of eggs retrieved. Younger women tend to have higher success rates due to better egg quality. It’s important to note that egg freezing does not guarantee a future pregnancy, and individuals should consult with fertility specialists to understand the probabilities and set realistic expectations.
Cost Considerations
The cost of egg freezing can be significant, making it accessible primarily to those with financial means. In India, the initial procedure ranges from ₹1.5 lakh to ₹3 lakh, with additional annual storage fees between ₹10,000 and ₹75,000. Insurance coverage for fertility preservation varies, and not all plans cover the full costs. Despite these expenses, India offers some of the most affordable rates globally, attracting women from abroad seeking the procedure.
Societal Implications
The increasing acceptance of egg freezing reflects broader societal shifts toward individual autonomy and the redefinition of traditional timelines for marriage and parenthood. As more women pursue higher education and demanding careers, reproductive planning has become more flexible, accommodating personal and professional aspirations.
However, this trend also raises ethical and social considerations. The accessibility of egg freezing is often limited to those with financial resources, potentially exacerbating existing inequalities. Additionally, the portrayal of egg freezing as a safeguard against age-related infertility may create unrealistic expectations, as the procedure does not guarantee future fertility.
Personal Narratives and Public Perception
Public figures like Karishma Mehta sharing their egg freezing journeys contribute to normalizing the procedure and encouraging open discussions about reproductive choices. Such narratives can empower other women to consider their options and make informed decisions about their reproductive health.
In a recent interview, Mehta explained her decision to freeze her eggs at 32, emphasizing the importance of taking control of one’s reproductive future. Her openness about the process highlights the growing acceptance and consideration of egg freezing among young women in urban India.
Egg freezing offers women the opportunity to preserve their fertility, providing flexibility in family planning and empowering them to make reproductive choices aligned with their personal and professional goals. As societal norms continue to evolve, and with advancements in reproductive technology, egg freezing is likely to become an increasingly common consideration for women seeking to balance various aspects of their lives.
However, it is crucial for individuals to approach this decision with a comprehensive understanding of the procedure, its costs, potential risks, and realistic success rates.
