Dr. Aruna Ashok MBBS, MS OG, DNB OG
- Clinical Director
Aruna Ashok | 04 Dec 2026
There are many scenarios from a decade ago where women lost their fertility potential due to health reasons, older age, or career goals. Luckily, this might not be the case anymore. Celebrity openness and advancements in reproductive technology, especially in the last five years, have significantly improved fertility prospects. With more defined stimulation protocols and enhanced safety for the medications used, egg freezing has become a practical option for many
We understand that the cost of egg freezing is your next concern. Keep reading to know what experts from A4 Fertility Centre say about the egg freezing process and its complete pricing
An egg freezing cycle generally takes 2 to 3 weeks (10 to 16 days) to complete, including hormone stimulation to mature multiple eggs, regular monitoring to track the growth of follicles through ultrasounds and blood tests, and a 20 to 30-minute egg retrieval procedure
Women may usually return to their daily routine immediately after the procedure.
The egg freezing procedure involves retrieving the eggs from the woman's ovaries. The retrieved eggs are then frozen and stored for delayed parenthood. Egg freezing is sometimes denoted as egg banking.
Here’s a detailed breakdown of key steps involved in the process. Understanding this can help you figure out what you are actually going to pay for
During consultation, your healthcare provider may analyse your medical history, age and recommend certain blood tests like AMH. This helps to determine your ovarian reserve. A transvaginal ultrasound may also be performed on days 2 to 3 of your menstrual cycle to count antral follicles (small follicles in the ovaries).
Hormonal injections like FSH and LH are used to stimulate the ovaries to produce multiple mature eggs, instead of a single egg in a natural cycle. This controlled ovarian stimulation is administered for 10 to 12 days.
Frequent ultrasounds and blood tests every 2-3 days are recommended to track the follicular growth and hormone levels. Based on the results, the medication dosages are adjusted. This helps to prevent Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome (OHSS) and ensures optimal egg maturation for retrieval.
A precisely timed injection is given at a specific time after a 10-to 12-day medication. This helps the mature follicles to complete their final maturation and prepare for release (ovulation).
Egg retrieval is typically scheduled and performed 34 to 36 hours after the trigger shot injection. This precise timing ensures the eggs are fully matured and are collected right before their release.
The procedure is usually performed under light to deep sedation to ensure the patient is comfortable and remains perfectly still. A healthcare provider may insert a thin needle through the vagina, guided by ultrasound, to collect mature eggs from the ovaries.
At A4 Fertility Centre, the retrieved eggs are immediately frozen using vitrification technology. It is a highly effective “flash-freezing" technique, essentially replacing traditional cryopreservation (slow freezing) as the modern "gold standard" in fertility preservation.
The process involves rapidly cooling substances like liquid nitrogen at -196°C to turn the eggs into a glass-like, solid state. This helps to prevent cellular damage from ice crystals, contamination, or leaching, achieving about 90% to 95% post-thaw survival rates. This is 50% higher when compared to older cryopreservation methods.
The frozen eggs using the flash-freezing method (vitrification) can be stored for several years without losing their quality and viability.
Egg freezing is a recommended option for women
Chances of pregnancy with frozen eggs may primarily depend on the woman’s age and their ovarian function.
Based on current fertility studies and data, freezing at least 15 to 20+ eggs can significantly increase the success rate of future pregnancy. For women over 35, their lower egg quality often necessitates higher quantities, roughly 25 to 30+ eggs. To reach this target, multiple egg retrievals are mostly suggested. However, 15 to 20+ eggs are particularly possible among women who choose to freeze their eggs before their 35th birthday.
Under 35: If women freeze their eggs before age 35, they largely have a 70 to 90% chance of at least one live birth in a cycle.
35–37 Years: Chances of pregnancy remain higher, with around 60 to 75% success rates per cycle.
38–40 Years: The chance of pregnancy begins to decline, usually falling between 50% and 60%.
40-45 Years: Success rates may significantly drop to approximately 50% or even lower.
Over 45 Years: Both egg retrieval and pregnancy are usually not recommended around this age. This is because the pregnancy rates are extremely low with one's own eggs, often below 10%. Though pregnancy is still possible with donor eggs through advanced reproductive technology (ART).
The graph shown below explains the chances of pregnancy by age at the time of egg freezing.
Note: Egg freezing preserves the egg’s quality as it was when it was frozen. A woman’s age at the time of thawing or the freezing techniques does not cause any damage to them.
Here comes the show stopper – the cost of egg freezing.
The average cost of egg freezing per cycle can typically range anywhere between ₹1.2 and ₹3 lakhs in Chennai. This price generally covers the entire initial process, including consultations, ovarian stimulation, egg retrieval, and the first year of storage.
The details below contain the estimated breakdown of the egg freezing cost per cycle in India.
| Components | Approximate Cost in Rupees (₹) |
|---|---|
| Consultation & Initial Diagnostics | ₹5,000 – ₹15,000 |
| Ovarian Stimulation (Medications) | ₹30,000 – ₹80,000 |
| Monitoring (Ultrasounds & Blood Tests) | ₹5,000 – ₹10,000 |
| Egg Retrieval Procedure (OT & Anaesthesia) | ₹20,000 – ₹1,00,000 |
| Laboratory Processing & Freezing (Vitrification) | ₹20,000 – ₹60,000 |
| Initial Storage (First Year) | ₹10,000 – ₹50,000 |
| Total Average Cycle Cost | Around ₹1.2 Lakhs – ₹3 Lakhs |
Although it is essential to understand that the egg freezing price covers consultations, ovarian stimulation, retrieval, freezing process and first-year storage. Annual storage fees (INR 10,000–30,000) and future thawing or IVF fees (INR 1.5–2.5 lakh) are additionally included.
Annual Storage Renewal : The first-year storage is usually covered in the initial package. However, annual fees may be required to store the eggs beyond the first year.
Thawing & Fertilisation : When you are ready to use the frozen eggs, additional costs for thawing, fertilisation and embryo transfer may be included. It can add approximately ₹1,50,000 to ₹3,00,000 to the overall expense.
Multiple Cycles : In case of not retrieving enough eggs from the initial cycle, multiple cycles may be recommended to bank enough eggs.
The total cost of egg freezing is primarily influenced by numerous factors, including medication dosage, number of cycles, and the experts involved in the procedure.
Below is the detailed breakdown of key factors that influence the overall egg freezing expense.
| Factor | Influence on Cost |
|---|---|
| Woman’s Age | Retrieving 15 to 20+ eggs is usually enough for women under 35 to achieve potential fertility success in the future, often requiring only 1 or 2 cycles. Women above 35 may need multiple cycles to freeze 25 to 30+ eggs due to reduced egg quality, significantly increasing the overall cost. |
| Medication Dosage | Women with a low ovarian reserve may require higher doses of hormonal injections to stimulate the ovaries, which can increase treatment expenses. |
| Number of Cycles | Some women may require two or more egg-freezing cycles to preserve a sufficient number of eggs, especially if they have underlying medical conditions, increasing the total cost. |
| Facility Location | Fertility centres located in metropolitan cities such as Chennai and Mumbai may charge more compared to facilities in smaller cities and towns. |
| Reputation | Well-established fertility centres with advanced technology, experienced specialists, and higher success rates may have higher treatment charges. |
| Storage Duration | After the first year, annual storage fees are generally required to continue preserving frozen eggs, adding to the long-term cost. |
| Add-on Procedures | Additional services such as preimplantation genetic testing (PGT) or specialized diagnostic tests can increase the overall egg-freezing expense. |
Lowering egg freezing costs involves certain strategies. Here are some of the tips to reduce the financial burden of egg freezing.
Early Planning : Freezing eggs at a young age (in late 20s or early 30s) usually requires fewer cycles with quality eggs. This may significantly reduce the costs when compared to waiting until after age 35.
Compare 3–5 Clinics : Compare at least 3 to 5 clinics and choose the one that offers transparent pricing with all-inclusive services. Some clinics do not include anaesthesia, first-year storage, and blood tests or ultrasounds. Compare and choose wisely.
Negotiate Fees : Don’t hesitate to negotiate the egg freezing fees, particularly if you are paying in cash or upfront.
EMI Plans : Some fertility clinics offer EMI or financing options in their fertility preservation packages. Enquire about it to manage your costs.
Enquire Insurance Coverage : While egg freezing is generally considered an elective procedure, it can be deemed medically necessary to preserve fertility before treatments for specific conditions like cancer. Many insurance companies do not cover elective freezing fully, but some may cover part of the procedure. Check if your insurance covers egg freezing.
Investigate Employee Benefits : If you are a part of a fertility clinic, never hesitate to ask about employee benefits. Some clinics cover part or all of the costs. Check with your HR team.
Long-Term Storage Deals : You may inquire about discounts if you choose to store the frozen eggs for the long term.
Shop Around for Storage : It is not necessary to store the eggs at the same fertility clinic where they were retrieved. There are specialised storage facilities that may offer freezing services at much lower prices.
Egg freezing is widely considered a significant investment that provides women with greater flexibility in timing parenthood. This allows them to focus on education, career or personal goals without worrying about age-related fertility decline. Though these medically advanced methods cost more, the peace of mind they provide about potential future fertility is worth it.
Visit your nearby A4 Fertility Centre to know more about the egg freezing procedure, especially its potential charges. This can greatly help with your planning.
1. Is it okay to freeze eggs after 35?
The answer to the question is yes. It is perfectly fine to choose to freeze your eggs after 35. Even though your fertility potential starts to decline at this age, there are still chances to yield good-quality eggs for a future pregnancy..
2. Is the egg freezing process painful?
The answer to the question is no. The egg freezing process is generally not painful, though it involves mild cramping or spotting. It can be due to the medication or procedure. The actual procedure is performed under sedation or anaesthesia. Therefore, there is no pain involved during the process
3. How do I know if egg freezing is right for me?
Here are some of the tips to know if you are right for egg freezing. They may include:
4. Is the egg freezing process painful?
The answer to the question is no. The egg freezing process is generally not painful, though it involves mild cramping or spotting. It can be due to the medication or procedure. The actual procedure is performed under sedation or anaesthesia. Therefore, there is no pain involved during the process
5. What is the cost of egg freezing in Chennai?
The average cost of egg freezing per cycle in Chennai may typically range anywhere between ₹1.2 and ₹3 lakhs. This price generally covers the entire initial process, including consultations, ovarian stimulation, egg retrieval, and the first year of storage
6. Can egg freezing Cost be covered under insurance?
Egg freezing costs are generally not covered under standard health insurance. It is widely considered an elective procedure. Though coverage is typically applied when deemed medically necessary to preserve fertility before treatments for specific conditions like cancer. However, some progressive insurance companies have started to offer fertility benefits in their policies
