The Ultimate Guide to Freezing Eggs: Everything You Need to Know to Preserve Your Fertility

Let’s talk about you, your career, your adventures, and that quiet voice asking, “What if I’m not ready now?” Egg freezing isn’t about pressing pause on life; it’s about hitting “save” on your fertility. For modern women in India, balancing personal goals with societal expectations can feel like walking a tightrope. Egg freezing offers a safety net, allowing you to prioritise your timeline without compromising your dreams of motherhood.

Why does this matter? Biologically, women’s fertility peaks in their 20s and declines sharply after 30 due to reduced egg quantity and quality. Freezing eggs early preserves younger, healthier eggs, offering better chances of future pregnancy. Beyond biology, this is about empowerment. At Proactive For Her, we believe in giving you options, not deadlines.

What Is Egg Freezing?

Egg freezing (or oocyte cryopreservation, if we’re being technical) is a way to preserve your eggs at their healthiest, so you can use them later when you’re ready to conceive. It is like hitting “save” on your fertility. The process involves retrieving eggs from your ovaries, freezing them at ultra-low temperatures, and storing them safely for future use.

This isn’t sci-fi—it’s science-backed. When you’re ready to conceive, thawed eggs are fertilised via IVF and implanted. The procedure empowers women to bypass age-related fertility decline, offering control over their reproductive futures. For example, a 30-year-old freezing her eggs retains the same egg quality at 40, bypassing the natural 50% drop in fertility by 35.

Who Should Consider Freezing Eggs?

Egg freezing isn’t just for celebrities or tech CEOs. It’s for any woman who wants to keep her options open. You might consider it if:

• You’re focusing on career, education, or personal goals and aren’t ready for motherhood yet.
• You’re undergoing medical treatments (like chemotherapy) that could affect fertility.
• You haven’t found the right partner but want to safeguard your chances of biological children later.
• You simply believe in planning ahead- no explanations needed!

In India, egg freezing has surged among women in their 30s, with clinics reporting a 40% rise in consultations since 2022. Social shifts, like delayed marriages and financial independence, fuel this trend. For instance, a 32-year-old Bangalore-based engineer froze her eggs to pursue a PhD abroad, stating, “It’s my backup plan for when life settles.”

Proactive Tip: If you’re even slightly curious about egg freezing, schedule a consultation. Knowledge is power—and peace of mind.

Egg Freezing Age Limit: Why Earlier Is Better

Age is the single biggest factor in egg freezing success. Biologically, the “sweet spot” for egg freezing is between 25 and 30 years. While there’s no strict age cutoff, fertility experts recommend earlier freezing because:

• Under 30: Eggs are healthier, with 60-80% live birth success per 20 eggs frozen.
• 30-37: Success drops to 45-56%, requiring more cycles.
• Over 40: Live birth rates fall below 33%, with higher miscarriage risks.

Why freeze early? A 25-year-old has ~150,000 eggs; by 30, this drops to 25,000. Younger eggs also have fewer chromosomal abnormalities. The HFEA notes that freezing at 30 offers better success than natural conception at 40.

Understanding Ovarian Reserve

Your ovarian reserve is the number of healthy eggs left in your ovaries. Two simple tests can assess it:

1. Anti-Müllerian Hormone (AMH) Blood Test: Measures your egg reserve.
2. Antral Follicle Count (AFC) Ultrasound: Counts visible egg-containing follicles in your ovaries.

Low ovarian reserve doesn’t mean you can’t freeze eggs; it just means you may need tailored protocols. For example, a woman with AMH <1 ng/ml may need multiple stimulation cycles. At Proactive For Her, we personalise treatments to maximise your chances, no matter where you start.

The Egg Freezing Process: Step by Step

Step 1: Consultation & Testing: Hormonal tests (AMH, FSH) and ultrasounds assess ovarian health.

Step 2: Ovarian Stimulation: Daily hormone injections (8-14 days) to mature multiple eggs. Side effects: bloating, mood swings (manageable with rest).

Step 3: Egg Retrieval: A 15-minute procedure under sedation. Using ultrasound guidance, eggs are collected via a thin needle.

Step 4: Freezing & Storage: Eggs are vitrified and stored in liquid nitrogen. Annual storage costs ₹15,000–₹30,000.

The entire process takes about 2-3 weeks. Side effects like bloating or mood swings are common but temporary.

Proactive Tip: Track injections with phone reminders and prioritise rest during stimulation.

Potential Risks and Side Effects

Egg freezing is generally safe, but like any medical procedure, it has risks:

• Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome (OHSS): Rare (<5% of cases), marked by abdominal pain. Mitigated via low-dose hormones and close monitoring.
• Procedure-related discomfort: Mild cramping or spotting for 1-2 days.

At Proactive For Her, we prioritise safety with personalised hormone dosing and round-the-clock care.

Egg Freezing Cost in India

Cost Breakdown in India (per cycle):

• Consultations & Tests: ₹5,000–₹30,000
• Medications: ₹50,000–₹1,50,000
• Retrieval & Freezing: ₹1,00,000–₹2,50,000
• Annual Storage: ₹15,000–₹30,000

City Variations:

• Bangalore: ₹1.2–₹2.25 lakhs
• Delhi: ₹1.5–₹2.5 lakhs
• Mumbai: ₹1.7–₹2.5 lakhs

Planning Tip: Some employers (e.g., tech firms) now offer fertility benefits. Ask about EMI options or multi-cycle discounts.

Success Rates of Egg Freezing

Success depends on:

1. Age at freezing: Under 30s achieve 55-70% live birth rates with 15-20 eggs.
2. Clinic expertise: Labs using vitrification see 90% egg survival vs. 61% with slow-freezing.
3. Egg quantity: Freezing 20+ eggs boosts cumulative success to 75-80%.

Conclusion: Is Egg Freezing Right for You?

Egg freezing isn’t a guarantee, it’s a choice. Benefits like fertility autonomy and medical safety outweigh risks like OHSS for most. Key takeaways:

• Freeze early (ideally <30).
• Prioritise clinics with high vitrification success.
• Plan financially for 1-2 cycles.
• If you’re weighing options, remember: Your body, your timeline. At

Proactive For Her, we offer judgment-free consultations to help you decide. Ready to take control? Book your session today.

Why Proactive For Her?

Proactive For Her offers a non-judgmental, empathetic space for women to explore fertility preservation options like egg freezing. Our experienced team provides personalised consultations, helping you make informed decisions about your reproductive health. We understand the challenges women face in preserving fertility and offer a compassionate, supportive environment to guide you through every step of the process.

Ready to take control? Book a consultation today. Let’s preserve your possibilities, together.

FAQs

1. What does egg freezing mean?

Egg freezing (oocyte cryopreservation) is a medical procedure where eggs are retrieved from the ovaries, frozen using vitrification (rapid cooling to -196°C), and stored for future use. This preserves fertility by maintaining egg quality at a younger biological age. Vitrification has a 90-95% egg survival rate, making it a reliable method for women delaying motherhood due to personal, medical, or social reasons (American Society for Reproductive Medicine [ASRM], 2023).

2. Can egg freezing cause infertility?

No. Egg freezing does not reduce ovarian reserve or cause infertility. The process retrieves eggs that would otherwise be lost naturally during the menstrual cycle. ASRM confirms no evidence of long-term harm to fertility from ovarian stimulation or retrieval (ASRM Committee Opinion, 2023).

3. Can egg freezing cause early menopause?

No. Egg freezing does not accelerate menopause. Menopause timing is determined by the natural decline of ovarian reserve, which is unaffected by the procedure. 

4. Can egg freezing cause endometriosis?

There is no evidence that egg freezing causes endometriosis. However, women with existing endometriosis may require tailored protocols to avoid aggravating symptoms during ovarian stimulation (European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology [ESHRE], 2022).

5. Why is egg freezing done?

Women freeze eggs to:

• Preserve fertility before age-related decline (common after 30).
• Protect reproductive options before cancer treatments.
• Prioritise career, education, or personal goals.
• ASRM recognises egg freezing as a valid option for fertility preservation (ASRM Guidelines, 2022).

6. What is the egg freezing process?

1. Consultation: Hormonal testing (AMH) and ultrasound.
2. Stimulation: Daily hormone injections for 8-14 days.
3. Retrieval: Eggs collected vaginally under sedation (15-minute procedure).
4. Freezing: Eggs are vitrified and stored indefinitely.
5. Side effects like bloating are temporary (Johns Hopkins Medicine, 2025).

7. Can egg freezing cause cancer?

No. Studies show no increased cancer risk from ovarian stimulation. A 2022 review by ASRM found no association between fertility treatments and ovarian/breast cancers (ASRM Ethics Committee, 2022).

For personalised guidance, consult our experts at Proactive For Her.

8. At what age should I go for egg freezing?

The optimal age for egg freezing is between 25 and 30 years, with fertility experts strongly recommending the procedure before 30 to maximise success. Here’s why:

• Under 30: Egg quality and quantity are highest, with studies showing live birth rates of 60-80% per 20 frozen eggs. Women in this age group typically retrieve 15-25 eggs per cycle, reducing the need for multiple cycles.
• 30-37: Fertility starts declining, requiring more eggs (30-40) to achieve similar success rates. Costs rise due to additional cycles.
• Over 38: Success rates drop significantly due to lower ovarian reserve and higher chromosomal abnormalities. Freezing eggs at this age often requires 4-5 cycles to collect enough viable eggs.

The Johns Hopkins Fertility Centre emphasises that egg freezing before 40 offers the best chances of future pregnancy, as 90% of eggs become abnormal by age. For medical reasons (e.g., pre-cancer treatment), egg freezing can be done at any age, but early action is still advised.

9. How much does egg freezing cost in India?

The average cost of egg freezing in India ranges from ₹1,00,000 to ₹2,50,000 per cycle, with annual storage fees of ₹10,000–₹30,000.

Here’s a detailed breakdown:

Reference-

1. American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM). (2023). Fertility Preservation in Patients Facing Medical Challenges. https://www.asrm.org/practice-guidance/ethics-opinions/fertility-preservation-and-reproduction-in-patients-facing-gonadotoxic-therapies-an-ethics-committee-opinion--2018/ 
2. European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology (ESHRE). (2022). Endometriosis Guideline: Management in Women with Fertility Preservation Needs. https://www.eshre.eu/guideline/endometriosis 
3. Johns Hopkins Medicine. (2025). Age and Egg Quality: Critical Factors in Fertility Preservation. https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/freezing-eggs-preserving-fertility-for-the-future
4. Human Fertilisation & Embryology Authority (HFEA). (2025). Success Rates of Frozen vs. Fresh Eggs. https://www.hfea.gov.uk/about-us/media-centre/key-facts-and-statistics/ 
5. The Hindu. (2023). Why More Indian Women in Their 30s Are Freezing Their Eggs. https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/health/indian-women-30s-social-egg-freezing-fertility-motherhood-likitha-bhanu-priya-selvaraj-voices/article66799494.ece
6. Vardaan Medical Center. (2025). Egg Freezing Cost in India: Comprehensive Breakdown. https://vardaanmedicalcenter.com/blog/how-much-do-freezing-eggs-cost-in-india/
7. India IVF Fertility. (2024). City-wise Cost Analysis of Egg Freezing in India. https://www.indiaivf.in/blog/egg-freezing-cost-in-india/