A recent public statement by entrepreneur Upasana Konidela, who is also the Vice Chairperson of CSR at Apollo Hospitals, has thrust the topic of egg freezing back into the national spotlight in India. Speaking at IIT Hyderabad, Konidela championed the procedure, labelling it "the biggest insurance for women" that offers greater autonomy over their life choices regarding marriage, motherhood, and financial independence.
However, her comments, which were widely shared on social media, quickly drew criticism from medical professionals and netizens alike. The backlash centred on the procedure's high cost, its medically uncertain outcomes, and the significant emotional strain it can impose, highlighting a stark divide between its perception as a safety net and its clinical reality.
Medical Experts Urge Caution Against 'Insurance' Label
Several doctors have publicly challenged the idea of presenting egg freezing as a universal or guaranteed solution for women. UK-based clinician Dr. Sunita Sayammagaru emphasised that the process is not a surefire bet, stating, "Even if a woman freezes her eggs, there is no certainty this will lead to a successful pregnancy."
This sentiment was strongly echoed by Indian OBGYN Dr. Rajesh Parikh, who pointed to the substantial financial and psychological burdens. "It's easy to advise egg freezing when you have crores in the bank. IVF costs lakhs per cycle. Egg freezing costs lakhs upfront plus annual storage fees. Most young women cannot afford even one attempt," he remarked. Dr. Parikh also highlighted the profound psychological distress linked to IVF failures, which involves repeated injections, mounting expenses, and long-term stress.
The Reality of the Egg Freezing Procedure
To demystify the process, insights were provided by Dr. Nayana D.H., an IVF Consultant at Aster Whitefield. She outlined the typical steps involved in egg freezing, which include basic health tests, an AMH test to check ovarian reserve, a day-2 or day-3 ultrasound, approximately 10 days of hormonal injections to stimulate the ovaries, egg retrieval under anaesthesia, and finally, freezing with annual storage fees.
Dr. Nayana clarified a common misconception, noting that the stimulation phase for IVF does not "use up future eggs" but rather targets the batch of eggs that would naturally be lost in that menstrual cycle.
Success rates are heavily dependent on age. According to Dr. Nayana, the best results are seen when eggs are frozen before the age of 35, with live birth rates averaging around 60%. This rate plummets to 20-30% for women over 40. She also warned that age is not the sole determinant, as some younger women may have a low ovarian reserve, which can be signalled by menstrual cycles getting progressively shorter.
Financial and Emotional Considerations
The cost is a major barrier for many in India. The procedure itself typically ranges from ₹2.5 lakh to ₹3 lakh, with an additional ₹10,000 per year for storage. These figures can vary based on medication, the number of eggs retrieved, and the clinic.
Dr. Nayana strongly advocates for financial counselling beforehand, so women fully understand the upfront investment, recurring fees, and the fact that it is not a 100% guaranteed method.
Egg freezing is not recommended for everyone. It is considered suitable for women delaying pregnancy for personal or professional reasons, those with medical conditions like endometriosis or a family history of premature menopause, and cancer patients seeking fertility preservation before treatment.
The emotional and physical impact is non-trivial. Women may experience mood swings, temporary bloating, and a need for strong support during the two-week stimulation period. It is also crucial to remember that even thawed eggs require sperm and carry other unknowns for a successful pregnancy.
While celebrities like Upasana Konidela and Sania Mirza have helped normalise conversations around fertility preservation, experts caution against oversimplifying a process that is complex, costly, and uncertain. For Indian women, egg freezing can offer reproductive flexibility, but it is a path that demands realistic expectations, financial readiness, and thorough medical guidance.
