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A recent statement by Upasana Konidela, entrepreneur and Vice Chairperson of CSR at Apollo Hospitals, has reignited the debate on egg freezing in India, especially its affordability and its growing perception as “insurance” for women planning a family later in life.
Speaking at IIT Hyderabad, Konidela described egg freezing as “the greatest insurance for women”, saying the option gives them more control over marriage, motherhood and financial independence. His comments, widely shared on social media, were criticized by doctors and netizens, who argued that the procedure is expensive, medically uncertain and often emotionally exhausting.
Doctors warn: ‘Egg freezing is no guarantee’
Many medical professionals publicly objected to the idea of treating egg freezing as a universal solution.
UK-based physician Dr. Sunita Sayammagaru writes that egg freezing cannot be seen as guaranteed insurance:
“Even if a woman freezes her eggs, there is no certainty that this will lead to a successful pregnancy.”
Indian OBGYN Dr. Rajesh Parikh expressed concern, highlighting the financial and emotional toll:
“It’s easy to recommend egg freezing when you have crores of rupees in the bank. IVF costs lakhs per cycle. The upfront cost of egg freezing and annual storage fees run into lakhs. Most young women can’t even make a try.”
They also pointed to the psychological stress associated with IVF failures – from repeated injections to mounting bills and long-term stress.
What exactly is involved in egg freezing?
To understand the process, peppermint Dr Nayana DH, Consultant – IVF, spoke to Aster Whitefield, who explained the process, success rates and key considerations.
Egg freezing typically involves:
- Basic health tests (thyroid, sugar level, prolactin)
- AMH test to check ovarian reserve
- Day-2 or day-3 ultrasound to assess follicle count
- 10 days of hormonal injections to stimulate multiple eggs
- egg retrieval under anesthesia
- Freezing and annual storage
Dr. Nayana emphasizes that the stimulation phase “does not use future eggs,” noting that IVF only targets the batch of eggs that will naturally die in that cycle.
Ideal Age and Success Rate
According to Dr. Nayana:
- Best results are obtained when eggs are frozen before the age of 35
- Live birth rates among women under 35 average 60%
- The success rate drops to 20-30% for women over 40
She also cautions that age is not the only factor: “Some women under 30 may still have reduced ovarian reserve. Shortening of regular cycles – for example, from 30 days to 25 – may indicate a decline in reserve.”
How much does egg freezing cost in India?
The cost of egg freezing varies between clinics but generally falls between:
- from 2.5 lakhs 3 lakh for the procedure
- 10,000 per year for storage charges
The cost depends on the number of eggs retrieved, the medicines used and the price of the IVF centre.
Dr. Nayana strongly recommends financial counseling before making a decision:
“Women should understand the upfront costs, annual renewal fees, and the fact that this is not a 100% guaranteed method.”
Who should consider egg freezing?
“Egg freezing is not recommended for everyone,” she says. Instead, it is suitable for: Women who are delaying pregnancy for personal or professional reasons
- People with medical conditions affecting fertility (endometriosis, autoimmune disorders, SLE)
- Women who have a family history of premature menopause
- Cancer patients need fertility preservation before treatment
- emotional thoughts
Doctors also emphasize emotional and hormonal influences:
- Mood changes during the 2-week stimulation period
- temporary swelling and heaviness
- Needing support from a partner or family member
- The reality is that thawed eggs still depend on sperm quality and other unknowns.
A conversation is gaining visibility – and complexity
Celebrities like Upasana Konidela and Sania Mirza have helped bring fertility preservation into the mainstream discussion. But while experts welcome the openness, they caution against oversimplifying a process that is expensive, medically complex and has no guarantees.
For many women, the procedure can provide a form of reproductive flexibility—but only when paired with realistic expectations, financial preparations, and medical guidance.
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