As nuptials get nixed over horoscope mismatches, women opt for egg freezing to preserve fertility

Hyderabad: Horoscope mismatches, long a feature of arranged-marriage negotiations, are now emerging as an unexpected factor driving some women in Hyderabad to consider egg freezing, according to fertility specialists in the city who report a rise in enquiries from women facing repeated delays in finding a suitable match.Egg freezing, medically known as oocyte cryopreservation, involves collecting and freezing a woman’s eggs for future use. Specialists say the procedure is increasingly being viewed as a way to preserve fertility while marriage and family plans remain uncertain.“Many women tell us that marriage discussions progress well but eventually stall because families do not agree on horoscope compatibility. We tell them the realities and success rate of the process, because if they approach their late 30s, it may not be successful. One woman approached me in her early 40s saying that her marriage was delayed due to horoscope concerns, and now she is worried”, said Dr Saroja Koppala, a city-based fertility specialist.“In the last few years, we have noticed a trend of even young women making many enquires, so they can have their chances, even if their marriage is delayed,” Dr Saroja added.Doctors recommend freezing eggs before the age of 35, ideally between 28 and 34 years. “Recently, a woman astrologer in her late 30s approached me about freezing her eggs, as her marriage had been delayed and she wants to take proactive steps. I advised her that ovarian reserve declines steadily with age. This decline becomes more pronounced after 35 and accelerates further after 37 to 38 years”, said Dr Sarika Mudarapu, a consultant fertility specialist.The trend comes at a time when Telangana’s fertility rate remains below the replacement level of 2.1 children per woman. According to the latest National Family Health Survey (NFHS-6), the state’s Total Fertility Rate (TFR) stands at 1.9, reflecting broader demographic changes including later marriages and delayed childbearing.