SHIKHA DUGGAL
Many women desire to have children in the future. What happens if you haven’t met the right person, need more time to establish your career, have other goals in life, or are going to undergo a medical procedure that may impair your ability to conceive? When the time comes, freezing your eggs may help you achieve your ambition to become a mother.
Your best chance of becoming pregnant later in life may come from having your eggs retrieved and preserved for later use, a procedure known as cryopreservation. This is especially true if you are undergoing medical treatment, such as chemotherapy, endometriosis treatment, or gender-affirming surgery, or if you have an autoimmune illness that affects fertility.
With advances in science and technology, women now have more alternatives for experiencing motherhood at their preferred age. Many celebrities have openly discussed it, educating people that embracing parenthood is a personal choice and that they do not believe in a ‘biological clock ticking’.
Celebrities are also demonstrating to the general public that having a family is always possible. For example, if you freeze eggs when you’re young, you may be able to use your own gene pool for your child later in life.
Celebrities are also showing the broader public that starting a family is always doable. Continuing this conversation, with the assistance of medical specialists, we delve further into the details of this unusual technique! Dr. Mukti Harne Paithankar, Consultant Obstetrician and Gynecologist at Manipal Hospital, states, “Egg freezing, also known as oocyte cryopreservation, has become popular among young women for a number of reasons. One important incentive is to safeguard their fertility potential while emphasising other aspects of their lives, such as professional advancement or personal development. Individuals who freeze their eggs at a young age, typically in their 20s or early 30s, may increase their chances of having biological children later in life, when they are ready to start a family.”
Egg freezing gives young women a sense of control over their reproductive future. It gives them confidence that they may pursue their dreams without feeling compelled to settle down prematurely in order to avoid age-related reproductive decline. Furthermore, it can reduce the stress and worry associated with the ticking biological clock, allowing individuals to pursue relationships without fear of running out of time to conceive.
However, Dr. Mukti draws attention to the fact that “this treatment can be costly, and success rates vary based on age and general reproductive health. Furthermore, future pregnancies will be conceived solely through the process of IVF, adding to the additional costs. The quality of the sperm as well as the woman’s overall health at the time of conception will all play a role in the conception process. Despite these considerations, egg freezing is a significant alternative for young unmarried/married women who want to take control of their reproductive prospects and pursue their life goals confidently. It is a proactive approach to family planning that reflects modern lifestyles and goals.”
A variety of factors, including changing lifestyles, postponing marriage, stress, pollution, sedentary lifestyles, and medical conditions such as low sperm count, poor sperm motility, or poor morphology in males, hormonal imbalances, genetic disorders, endometriosis, tubal blockages, ovulation issues, or polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) in females, have contributed to the rise in infertility rates in recent years.
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), infertility affects about one in every six people globally, or roughly 17.5% of all adults. With recent developments in assisted reproductive technology and the expansion of additional biological choices, it is now easier to conceive.
According to EPIA’s most current research, women aged 25 to 32 are increasingly interested in egg freezing. Egg freezing appears to be a beacon of hope for them. People are now more conscious of the importance of family planning!
Dr. Manpreet Sodhi, Consultant of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Paras Health, highlights, “This process begins with hormone stimulation, which promotes the development of numerous eggs. The eggs are then retrieved and stored by vitrification, which includes rapid freezing to prevent the formation of ice crystals. This strategy is extremely beneficial to single women who have yet to meet a suitable mate or who intend to marry and have children later for personal or professional reasons. Egg freezing also provides security and flexibility for same-sex couples by allowing them to keep their fertility choices open until they are ready to create a baby.” Even though some people are still uncomfortable discussing reproduction, EPIA has observed a shift in views. According to the report, 30% of couples are interested in egg freezing as a strategy to plan for future children. Nowadays, around 75% of women have difficulty getting pregnant or conceiving due to hormone abnormalities. Egg freezing can be beneficial since women can store their eggs at a younger age, resulting in higher quality. “Egg freezing also provides the opportunity for space birthing. It is widely assumed that the technique is just for women who have not had children. However, it can also be considered by women who wish to have children later in life. Couples who had a child when they were younger may choose to freeze eggs for later use, allowing them to focus on their current duties without thinking about future family planning,” points out Dr. Manpreet.
According to statistics from EPIA, a women’s healthcare company, there has been a significant increase in inquiries about egg freezing among women aged 25 to 32. This increase demonstrates an increasing understanding and interest in the treatment, particularly during a period in life when job goals frequently overlap with reproductive issues. So, Dr. Kalpana Jain, Consultant, Birla Fertility & IVF, focuses attention on, “Women should approach egg freezing with a clear awareness of the process. This entails getting a thorough medical evaluation, completing particular eligibility requirements, and evaluating any necessary lifestyle changes. Consulting with a fertility professional is strongly advised to help women navigate the complexity of egg freezing, ensuring that they are well-informed and prepared for the best potential outcomes in their health and family planning decisions. This surge in egg freezing can be ascribed to the fact that it empowers women by allowing them to express sovereignty over their reproductive health and hence make educated decisions.”
