Humans of Bombay CEO Karishma Mehta recently shared on social media that she froze her eggs early in January. The 32-year-old said that she had been wanting to do this for a while and was happy to have it ticked off her bucket list.
"Been meaning to do this for a while and finally got around to it. I froze my eggs at the beginning of the month," Mehta wrote on Instagram. She also shared some of her other personal and professional wins in January which included Humans of Bombay turning 11 and attending the Coldplay concert in Mumbai.
What is egg freezing?
Egg freezing, also known as oocyte cryopreservation, involves the extraction of a woman's eggs from her ovaries which are then frozen for later use. The eggs are preserved at temperatures as low as -196°C. This allows them to be preserved for several years until they are ready to be thawed and used for fertility treatments.
Why do women opt for it?
One of the most common reasons for women to opt for egg freezing is to preserve their fertility. They may choose to freeze their eggs if they are not ready to start a family yet, but want to ensure that they have the option to do so in the future. This is particularly common among women who are pursuing advanced education, career advancement or those who haven't found the right partner.
Another reason why women may choose egg freezing is due to medical conditions that affect fertility. Women undergoing chemotherapy or radiation therapy may opt for egg freezing to protect their eggs from the potential damage caused by these treatments. Similarly, women with conditions that affect their ovarian function or those who need to undergo surgery that will impact their reproductive system may consider egg freezing.
The benefits of egg freezing
One of the primary benefits of egg freezing is that it allows women to preserve their fertility and have the option of conceiving in the future. This can be especially important for women who are diagnosed with cancer or other medical conditions that require treatments that can affect fertility. Egg freezing also gives women more control over their reproductive health and allows them to make informed decisions about when they want to start a family.
Potential side effects
Like any medical procedure, egg freezing does have some potential side effects. One of the most common side effects is discomfort or pain during the egg retrieval process, which involves the use of a needle to remove eggs from the ovaries. Some women may also experience bloating, cramping, or mood swings after the procedure.
In addition to these potential side effects, egg freezing is also an expensive procedure. The cost of egg freezing can vary significantly depending on where you live and the clinic you choose. In some cases, the cost of egg freezing can be prohibitive, making it inaccessible to many women.
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