Upasana Konidela’s Viral ‘Egg-Freezing’ Tips: Unpacking the Costs and Effectiveness Behind the Trend

A recent statement by entrepreneur Upasana Konidela, who also serves as Vice Chairperson of CSR at Apollo Hospitals, has reignited conversations around egg freezing in India particularly its affordability and the growing perception of the procedure as a form of “insurance” for women choosing to delay motherhood.

Speaking at IIT Hyderabad, Konidela described egg freezing as “the biggest insurance for women”, suggesting that it enables greater control over marriage, motherhood, and financial independence. Her remarks quickly went viral, drawing mixed reactions from doctors and social media users who argued that egg freezing remains expensive, medically uncertain, and emotionally challenging.

Doctors caution: “Egg freezing is not a guarantee”

Multiple medical professionals expressed concerns over framing egg freezing as a universal solution.

UK-based clinician Dr. Sunita Sayammagaru warned that the procedure should not be seen as guaranteed insurance:

“Even if a woman freezes her eggs, there is no certainty this will lead to a successful pregnancy.”

Indian OBGYN Dr. Rajesh Parikh echoed this view, pointing out both the financial and emotional challenges:

“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 added that IVF failures can bring significant psychological distress from repeated injections and rising expenses to long-term emotional strain.

What egg freezing actually involves

To clarify the process, Mint spoke to Dr. Nayana D.H., Consultant IVF, Aster Whitefield, who explained the steps involved:

• Basic health tests (thyroid, sugar, prolactin)
• AMH test to assess ovarian reserve
• Day-2/3 ultrasound to evaluate follicle count
• Around 10 days of hormonal injections
• Egg retrieval under anaesthesia
• Freezing and annual storage

Dr. Nayana noted that the stimulation phase does not reduce future fertility, as IVF only targets eggs that would naturally degenerate in that cycle.

Ideal age and success rates

According to Dr. Nayana:

• Best outcomes occur when eggs are frozen before age 35
• Live birth rates average around 60% for women under 35
• Success drops to 20–30% for women over 40
• Some younger women may still have low ovarian reserve

Shorter menstrual cycles for example, reducing from 30 to 25 days can signal declining fertility, she added.

What does egg freezing cost in India?

Costs vary by clinic, but typically include:

• ₹2.5 lakh – ₹3 lakh for the procedure
• ₹10,000 per year for storage

Expenses depend on medications, the number of eggs retrieved and clinic pricing.

Dr. Nayana advises women to undergo financial counselling before making a decision:

“Women should understand the upfront cost, annual renewal fees and the reality that egg freezing is not a 100% guaranteed method.”

Who should consider egg freezing?

Experts say egg freezing is not meant for everyone. It may be suitable for:

• Women delaying pregnancy for personal or professional reasons
• Those with fertility-impacting conditions (endometriosis, autoimmune disorders, SLE)
• Women with a family history of premature menopause
• Cancer patients needing fertility preservation before treatment

Emotional and hormonal considerations

Egg freezing also has physical and emotional implications:

• Mood swings during the stimulation period
• Temporary bloating or discomfort
• The need for support from a partner or family
• Uncertainties tied to sperm quality and embryo development

A conversation gaining visibility and nuance

Celebrities like Upasana Konidela and Sania Mirza have helped bring fertility preservation into mainstream discourse. While doctors welcome this increased visibility, they caution against oversimplifying a complex, costly and non-guaranteed medical process.

For many women, egg freezing can indeed provide reproductive flexibility but only when approached with realistic expectations, financial preparedness, and proper medical guidance.