Egg freezing provides great flexibility to women who are under pressure from their biological clock. It allows you to have autonomy over your reproductive decisions, leading to a huge impact on various other areas of life. Women in their 20s and 30s have the healthiest eggs, which are used for egg freezing. After the age of 30, the quality of eggs declines with age. Thus, with egg freezing as an option, you can prioritize other goals before taking the responsibility of parenthood. It is meant for women who want to keep their fertility alive and ensure that they can start their family in the future. The process is also known as oocyte preservation, where women’s eggs are harvested and frozen for future use.
In this blog, we will understand the step-by-step guide of the egg freezing process-
The egg freezing procedure involves the core steps-
Let’s understand these steps in a detailed way
Before you begin the egg-freezing process, the first and most important step is to consult with a fertility specialist. Initial consultation helps in understanding the need for egg freezing and the right precautions that need to be taken up for managing with the egg freezing process. They will evaluate your overall health, reproductive history, and fertility potential. During this consultation, the following will typically occur:
Once you’ve made the decision to move forward, the next step is hormone stimulation. In order to retrieve multiple eggs, your ovaries need to be stimulated to produce several eggs in a single cycle. This is done through daily hormone injections for approximately 10–14 days. The process includes:
Once your eggs are mature, the retrieval procedure is scheduled. This typically happens 34–36 hours after your final injection of hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin), which triggers ovulation. The procedure itself takes about 20–30 minutes and is done under sedation or light anesthesia.
Once the eggs are retrieved, they are frozen after undergoing a process called cryopreservation. In some cases, the clinic may fertilize the eggs with sperm before freezing them (if you’re planning to store embryos instead of eggs).
Life circumstances can change, and your priorities might shift. It’s a good idea to reassess your decision to freeze your eggs every few years. Your fertility specialist can provide updates on the latest fertility preservation techniques and help guide you through any decisions regarding the use or disposal of your eggs.
Egg freezing offers a valuable opportunity for women to safeguard their fertility and take control of their reproductive future. Although the process can be complex and costly, careful planning and professional guidance can help ensure a successful experience. By following this step-by-step checklist, you can prepare for the journey ahead and make informed decisions about your fertility preservation.
What is the ideal age to freeze eggs at Aveya?
While you can freeze at any age, the highest quality eggs are typically found in your 20s to early 30s. Aveya generally recommends the process before age 35 for the best results.
How many eggs should I aim to freeze?
Most specialists recommend freezing 10–15 mature eggs for a good chance of a future pregnancy. Women over 37 may be advised to freeze 20 or more.
Is the procedure painful?
The retrieval itself is painless due to sedation. During the stimulation phase, you might feel some bloating, heaviness, or PMS-like symptoms, but these resolve quickly after retrieval.
What is the cost of egg freezing at Aveya?
The procedure typically ranges from ₹1,50,000 to ₹2,00,000 per cycle, excluding medications and annual storage fees.
How much are the annual storage fees?
After the first year, storage fees at Aveya are approximately ₹25,000 to ₹50,000 per year.
Does egg freezing reduce my natural egg count for later?
No. The process only rescues eggs that your body would have naturally lost during that specific menstrual cycle anyway.
How long can eggs stay frozen?
Indefinitely. Current technology allows eggs to remain viable for 10+ years without any loss in quality.
What is the success rate at Aveya?
Aveya reports a success rate of approximately 75–80% for egg freezing, though this depends heavily on the age at which the eggs were frozen.
Are there any side effects?
The main risk is OHSS (Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome), which causes significant bloating. However, Aveya uses “trigger” protocols that make this risk extremely low (less than 1%).
What happens when I want to use them?
The eggs are thawed, fertilized with sperm (via ICSI), and the resulting embryo is transferred into your uterus—a process similar to a standard IVF cycle.