Egg Freezing in Nepal: A Modern Choice for Future Motherhood

In a world where more women are focusing on careers, education, personal growth, and health before starting a family, egg freezing (also known as oocyte cryopreservation) has emerged as a revolutionary solution. It allows women to preserve their fertility and keep their options open for motherhood when the time is right.
In Nepal, this once-rare service is now available at world-class fertility centers like Vardhan Fertility Centre in Kathmandu. Whether due to medical needs or personal choice, egg freezing provides Nepali women with the freedom to plan their families on their own terms.

What is Egg Freezing?
Egg freezing is a process where a woman’s mature eggs are extracted, frozen, and stored at ultra-low temperatures for future use. These eggs can be thawed, fertilized with sperm, and implanted later through In-Vitro Fertilization (IVF) to achieve pregnancy.
Unlike embryos, which are fertilized eggs, frozen eggs remain unfertilized, giving women greater control over their reproductive decisions — especially if they are not yet ready to choose a partner or become a parent.

Why Do Women Choose Egg Freezing?

1. Delaying Motherhood
   Many women today are choosing to focus on education, careers, or personal goals before starting a family. Egg freezing allows them to preserve younger, healthier eggs, even if they decide to conceive years later.
2. Medical Treatments
   Women facing cancer treatment, autoimmune disorders, or ovarian surgeries often opt to freeze their eggs before undergoing therapies that may damage fertility.
3. Family History of Early Menopause
   If there's a family history of early menopause or ovarian failure, egg freezing becomes a proactive step toward safeguarding fertility.
4. Lifestyle or Relationship Uncertainty
   Women who are not in a stable relationship or who are uncertain about family planning can freeze eggs while still young and fertile.
5. Egg Donors and Surrogacy
   In some cases, women may donate their eggs to others or use them for surrogacy at a later stage.

The Process of Egg Freezing
At Vardhan Fertility Centre, egg freezing is handled with utmost precision, comfort, and privacy. The process typically takes 2–3 weeks and involves several steps:

1. Initial Consultation
   The process begins with a detailed evaluation by a fertility specialist. Blood tests and an ultrasound are conducted to assess the ovarian reserve (the number and quality of eggs).
2. Ovarian Stimulation
   Hormonal injections are administered over 8–12 days to stimulate the ovaries to produce multiple mature eggs, rather than just one per cycle.
3. Monitoring and Egg Retrieval
   Regular ultrasounds and blood tests monitor the growth of follicles. Once the eggs are ready, they are collected through a minor outpatient procedure under mild anesthesia.
4. Cryopreservation
   The mature eggs are rapidly frozen using a technique called vitrification, which prevents ice crystal formation and preserves egg quality. They are stored in liquid nitrogen at -196°C, remaining viable for many years.

How Long Can Eggs Be Frozen?
Scientific studies and clinical experience have shown that frozen eggs can remain viable for 10–15 years or even longer. Success rates are largely dependent on age at the time of freezing, with eggs frozen in the early 20s to mid-30s having the best outcomes.

Success Rate and Use Later
Egg freezing is not a guarantee of future pregnancy, but it significantly improves the odds. When thawed and fertilized with sperm through ICSI (Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection), success rates are often comparable to fresh eggs.

Key Points:

• Younger eggs (frozen before age 35) offer higher chances of live birth.
• The quality of eggs at the time of freezing matters more than the length of storage.
• Success also depends on the number of eggs frozen — typically 10–20 eggs are recommended for a reasonable chance at future pregnancy.

Egg Freezing in Nepal: Growing Awareness and Access
In the past, women in Nepal had to travel abroad for fertility preservation services. But today, Nepali fertility clinics are equipped with state-of-the-art technology and expert teams capable of offering egg freezing safely and affordably.
Vardhan Fertility Centre stands as one of the few centers in Kathmandu offering this advanced service with international standards of care and confidentiality.
The demand is growing among:

• Young professionals in Kathmandu
• Women undergoing cancer treatments in top hospitals
• Women from other cities like Pokhara, Biratnagar, and Chitwan traveling to the capital for fertility care

Cost of Egg Freezing in Nepal
Compared to Western countries, egg freezing in Nepal is much more affordable.

• Ovarian stimulation and egg retrieval: NPR 150,000 – NPR 250,000 (approx.)
• Annual storage: NPR 10,000 – NPR 20,000
• IVF/ICSI treatment (when eggs are used later): Separate cost applicable at the time

Note: Costs can vary depending on the clinic, medications used, and individual health factors.

Ethical and Legal Considerations
Egg freezing is legal and ethically accepted in Nepal. Women are required to sign a consent form, and proper documentation is maintained for storage. Clinics like Vardhan Fertility Centre ensure full confidentiality, ethical compliance, and patient autonomy.
Currently, egg freezing is offered as a personal choice, and is not restricted to married women or those with medical conditions.

FAQs About Egg Freezing
Q: Is egg freezing safe?
Yes. It’s a well-established and low-risk procedure with minimal complications.
Q: Does egg freezing reduce my natural fertility?
No. The ovaries contain thousands of eggs; freezing a few does not affect natural cycles.
Q: Can I use my eggs anytime in the future?
Yes. Eggs can be stored for years and used when you're ready to conceive.
Q: Is there an age limit to freeze eggs?
Younger is better. Ideally before age 35, although it can be done later with medical evaluation.

Egg freezing is not just about biology — it’s about empowerment. It gives women the freedom to make decisions about motherhood on their own timeline, without being pressured by the biological clock.
In Nepal, with modern fertility centers like Vardhan Fertility Centre, egg freezing is now safe, accessible, and effective. Whether you’re navigating personal goals, preparing for medical treatment, or simply wish to keep your options open, egg freezing offers hope, choice, and peace of mind.

Your future family starts with the decisions you make today. Choose wisely. Choose freedom. Choose fertility preservation.