Acclaimed actress Kriti Sanon, now 35 years old, has maintained a transparent approach regarding her personal life and professional choices. While she has expressed that she has no immediate plans for marriage, she took a proactive step toward securing her future well before reaching her mid-thirties. Sanon publicly disclosed that she completed the egg freezing process five years ago. Medical professionals advocate that for women not yet ready for motherhood, opting for egg freezing at the right time is a prudent decision to mitigate potential complications later in life. Consequently, an increasing number of celebrities are choosing this path between the ages of 25 and 30.
Sanon also highlighted a realistic aspect of the procedure that deserves attention. She shared that she faced several physical challenges following the treatment, with bloating and abdominal discomfort being the most prominent. For those considering this path, understanding the hormonal changes and potential side effects is essential. To delve deeper into these aspects, we consulted Dr. Muskan Chhabra, a fertility expert at Birla Fertility Centre.
The 10 to 12-day hormonal injection cycle
Dr. Muskan Chhabra explains that in the current era, due to career priorities and medical reasons, egg freezing—medically termed oocyte cryopreservation—has gained significant popularity among young women. A woman's body functions on a complex biological clock. During the monthly menstrual cycle, a series of hormonal fluctuations occur from the brain to the uterus. After periods, hormones are released that help develop an egg in the ovaries. If this egg is fertilized by sperm, pregnancy occurs; otherwise, the body sheds it. During egg freezing, doctors administer hormonal injections for 10 to 12 days to stimulate the ovaries to produce 10 to 15 eggs simultaneously. Because these injections alter the body's natural hormone levels, minor complications are common. When performed by a qualified and trained fertility expert, these risks are significantly minimized.
Hormonal fluctuations and physiological symptoms
Dr. Chhabra notes that as estrogen levels rise rapidly due to these injections, the body's natural hormonal balance is disrupted, affecting mood-regulating neurotransmitters. This can lead to symptoms like extreme mood swings, sudden anger, sadness, irritability, headaches, breast tenderness, and fatigue. The increased hormone levels often cause body cells to retain water, leading to an increase in ovary size, which puts pressure on the surrounding pelvic organs. This can result in severe bloating, abdominal stiffness, and gas. Some women may even experience temporary weight gain. Although these symptoms are often similar to premenstrual syndrome and are typically manageable, they are not a cause for extreme alarm if the procedure is managed by competent professionals.
The importance of expertise and safety
Dr. Chhabra emphasizes that the outcome of egg freezing depends heavily on the doctor performing the procedure. Improper administration of injections or poorly executed surgical retrieval can lead to complications such as fluid accumulation in the abdomen, ovarian enlargement, or infections, which could hinder future pregnancies. Failure to maintain strict hygiene or improper needle insertion can also lead to excessive bleeding. Therefore, it is critical to select a specialist with advanced degrees and extensive experience in the field of fertility.
Key questions about egg freezing
How many eggs can be frozen at once? According to Dr. Muskan Chhabra, the objective in oocyte cryopreservation is to produce 10 to 15 eggs in the ovaries. Once these are developed, they are retrieved through a minor surgical process using a needle and subsequently frozen.
How long can these eggs remain viable? Generally, these eggs can be safely stored for up to 10 years. After retrieval, embryologists place 1 to 3 eggs into thin cryotop straws, which are then placed into a cylindrical goblet container. This container is locked with a metal strip and stored at a temperature of minus 196 degrees Celsius. Once the container is opened, the entire process must be completed immediately.
