Dr. Pai attends a Podcast on Egg Freezing: A Crucial Aspect of IVF Treatment, hosted by Mrs. Namita Thapar, Executive Director of Emcure Pharmaceuticals

Renowned IVF Specialists, Dr. Hrishikesh Pai and Dr. Nandita Palshetkar, the co-founders of Bloom group of IVF clinics, who have a combined experience of over 40 years in the field, recently shared their expertise in egg-freezing in IVF treatment in a podcast. Mrs Namita Thapar, Executive Director of Emcure Pharmaceuticals, a leading figure in the pharmaceutical industry, was the host of the podcast.

The podcast focused on fertility preservation through egg freezing. This is particularly relevant in light of the increasing infertility rates among the younger generation, highlighting the need to preserve fertility before it becomes a pressing concern. Dr. Hrishikesh Pai is a leading IVF doctor in India, he states, 'I strongly recommend this podcast to anyone who wishes to empower themselves with knowledge about fertility preservation, IVF treatment, and reproductive health.

Mrs. Namita Thapar highlighted that women lose 90% of their eggs by age 30 and 97% of them when they turn 40 or older. Hence, it is essential to generate awareness about how to proceed with egg preservation, followed by an IVF cycle whenever the woman is ready for pregnancy.

Dr. Hrishikesh Pai explained the egg-freezing procedure, also known as oocyte preservation. He suggested that the ideal age to freeze eggs is between 25 to 35 years. They recommend the procedure after assessing the patient's ovarian reserve through an AMH Screening and Antral follicle count (AFC), the patient undergoes a hormone stimulation treatment.

In this 14-day treatment cycle, the patient will undergo an ovarian stimulation protocol. As per this protocol, the patient needs to take an injection daily for 10 - 12 days. The injections are nearly painless and can be self-administered. After two weeks, the doctor will retrieve the eggs through a simple procedure performed under anesthesia. It is a safe and simple process and the patient can go home in 4 - 5 hours after the procedure.

Most IVF doctors prefer to retrieve and freeze at least 10-20 good-quality eggs after the treatment is completed. The number and quality of eggs depend upon the patient's age and reproductive health. With advancements in medical research, AI-based testing procedures help to identify the best-quality eggs for future use.

While referring to the current trend of accelerated aging and Indian women reaching menopause 5-7 years early, there is a growing concern regarding infertility in young as well as older generations.

As expert doctors, Dr. Hrishikesh Pai and Dr. Nandita Palshetkar highlighted the role of environmental factors, constraints in meeting the right partner, stress, and pressures in affecting people's fertility health. Hence, egg freezing is necessary at the right age. And there should not be any taboo regarding discussing or proceeding with egg-freezing.

Also, they advise patients to take a proactive approach and undergo an AMH test annually. The test results indicate the present quality and number of eggs for future planning. Regular AMH testing is a crucial step in taking charge of your reproductive health.'

Patients should bear in mind the possibility of requiring more than 1 IVF cycle and be prepared for that. Most doctors also accommodate the repeat cycles in the best interest of the patients.

During the interview, they also explained how the eggs are stored. IVF laboratories store eggs at -196 degrees Celsius and they can be stored for over 10 - 15 years. Along with radio frequency identification tags, India has strict laws and regulations that require IVF labs to document and monitor every detail. The concerned authorities also inspect these facilities at regular intervals.

Most IVF doctors take all the necessary steps to prevent egg swapping and store eggs under recommended laboratory conditions, especially temperature, to ensure the eggs retain their optimal conditions for fertilization. They asserted that they performed a successful IVF cycle with eggs that were frozen for nearly 15 years.

Ms. Vandana Sajnani Khattar, a celebrity theatre actor and playwright, also shared her journey to parenthood through IVF with Dr Hrishikesh Pai as her IVF doctor. Her story is a testament to the possibilities and hope that IVF treatment can bring, even when starting at a later age.
To conclude, we must adapt to the changing lifestyles and delays in experiencing parenthood. But at the same time, we can opt for regular AMH screening, egg-freezing methods, and other procedures that help maintain reproductive health enabling patients to attain parenthood thanks to medical advancements and stalwart IVF doctors such as Dr Hrishikesh Pai.

For an appointment and more details, contact Dr. Pai at
Lilavati Hospital
A - 791, Bandra Reclamation, Bandra (W), Mumbai - 400 050.

About Dr. Hrishikesh Pai

Dr. Hrishikesh Pai, a committed gynecologist and IVF expert in India strives to resolve the most challenging cases of infertility. His medical acumen, expertise, and experience relate to his utmost dedication to helping patients through IVF, and other artificial reproduction techniques.

He has also adopted AI-based technology solutions to identify the best quality eggs to ensure result-oriented fertility treatments for his patients. With a comprehensive diagnosis and evidence-based treatment solutions, Dr Pai and his team have been extremely successful in overcoming infertility.

He is the president of FOGSI - Federation of Obstetrics and Gynecological Societies of India, Regional Trustee Asia of Oceania, and International Federation of Gynecology & Obstetrics - FIGO.