Egg freezing has become increasingly popular among women in the UAE, with many choosing to delay starting families and opting for this procedure to have more flexibility in their life plans. Jules McDonald, Director of Clinical Operations for HealthPlus Fertility, has helped over 20,000 women with the process in her 15 years of experience. She emphasizes the importance of doctors initiating conversations about egg freezing with their patients to raise awareness about the option.
The procedure involves extracting, freezing, and storing a woman’s eggs so she can conceive at a later stage in life. Factors such as age significantly impact a woman’s egg quality and her fertility. The mobile van initiative introduced in the UAE, which provided free testing kits for egg freezing, saw a high turnout of interested women. Women in their 30s, particularly those in demanding professions or facing medical treatments that may affect their fertility, are more likely to opt for egg freezing.
The optimal age for egg freezing is typically between 25 and 35 years, according to Dr. Aarti Javeri-Mehta, an Internal Medicine Specialist. The procedure involves ovarian stimulation and egg retrieval for future use in in-vitro fertilization. Changes in the UAE’s IVF laws in 2020 have allowed clinics to freeze embryos and eggs, providing women with more flexibility in preserving their fertility without feeling the pressure of their biological clock.
Despite the rising interest in egg freezing, women face challenges such as the high cost of the procedure, which averages around Dh15,000 per cycle. Insurance coverage is limited, adding to the financial burden. Hormonal impacts, including side effects like bloating and mood swings, can make the process physically demanding. Emotional stress and uncertainty around outcomes also contribute to the challenges women face in deciding to freeze their eggs.
While there are obstacles to overcome, the increasing support from employers and the changing perception of family planning and fertility have contributed to the growing acceptance of egg freezing in the UAE. Social media and influential figures sharing their experiences with the procedure have also raised awareness and reduced the stigma surrounding fertility treatments. Despite the challenges, many women find the process rewarding, with success stories of women retrieving their frozen eggs and eventually having healthy babies.
