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As fertility rates continue to decline in Singapore and many couples choose to marry and start families later, egg freezing is becoming an important option for women who want to preserve their reproductive health. Although you can’t stop the ageing process, the procedure allows you to safeguard your fertility.

This article will guide you through the key aspects of egg freezing, including its benefits and how the process works.

What is Egg Freezing?

Process diagram of egg retrieval and freezing

Egg freezing, also known as oocyte cryopreservation, is a process in which a lady’s eggs (oocytes) are retrieved, frozen and stored as a way to preserve the fertility of a lady who wants to conceive later on in her life. Egg freezing also enables ladies to avoid the issue of declining egg quality, a common problem women face as they grow older.

Reasons Why Women Freeze Their Eggs

Women are born with a finite amount of eggs, and both the quantity and quality of these eggs decline over time. Egg freezing is a way of preserving the healthy eggs of women when they are younger and not necessarily ready to conceive just yet. There are two primary reasons why women choose to freeze their eggs:

1. Medical Reasons

A very common reason for egg freezing is to protect themselves from medical treatments that might affect their fertility and/or reproductive organs.

A woman who is undergoing treatment for cancer might opt for egg freezing in case treatments such as chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy negatively affect fertility.

Women who are at higher risk of getting cancer as a result of certain genetic conditions might also choose to freeze their eggs. This is because doctors may recommend removing the ovaries in order to reduce the risk of cancer developing. If ladies freeze their eggs before the ovaries are removed, they will still have the option of trying for pregnancy even after surgery.

2. Elective Reasons

Some women are not ready to have a baby and start a family when they are in their peak reproductive years. As a result, some may prefer to have their eggs frozen so they can try for pregnancy even after their fertility has declined. This is also known as elective egg freezing.

Holding a paper model uterus in both hands

Egg Freezing in Singapore

In Singapore, egg freezing is allowed for medical reasons, and since 2023, elective egg freezing has also become available. While there are no age restrictions for the medical option, elective egg freezing is only offered to women aged 21-37. To ensure you are able to make an informed choice, you will have to undergo counselling before your elective egg freezing procedure. The counselling session will highlight the invasive nature of the procedure, some of the limitations (no guarantee of a successful pregnancy, risks of a late pregnancy etc.), as well as the costs involved.

It’s important to consult your doctor to determine if egg freezing is a viable option for you, as individual circumstances can vary.

What is the Process Like?

The process is similar to the initial stages of an In-Vitro Fertilisation (IVF) infertility treatment cycle: The steps of the egg freezing process are similar to the initial stages in an In-vitro Fertilisation (IVF) cycle.

  • You will be administered a series of hormone injections for about 2 weeks.
  • You will be observed with regular ultrasound scans and blood tests to determine whether you are responding well to the treatment.
  • When the eggs are mature, you will be administered a final injection.
  • Then, the eggs are extracted from you while under sedation or a general anaesthetic.

After the eggs have been extracted, they are examined by an embryologist and the mature eggs are then frozen. Most clinics use a flash-freezing method known as vitrification that will freeze the eggs at -196 degrees Celsius in under one minute. Vitrification is the preferred method of freezing as it has a much higher “post-thaw” survival rate for eggs of over 90% compared to the old method of freezing, where the eggs only had a survival rate of about 60%.

Are Eggs Harder to Freeze Than Sperm or Embryos?

Eggs are the largest cells in the human body and are mostly made up of water, making them more vulnerable to damage during freezing. The vitrification process addresses this by dehydrating the eggs before rapid freezing, which helps minimise damage from ice crystal formation.

In contrast, sperm are smaller and contain less water, so they are less affected by freezing.

Embryos are typically frozen when they consist of a few hundred cells. This larger cell count increases their survival rate because even if some cells are damaged during thawing, the other cells would still survive. These cells can continue to divide and multiply once the embryos are warmed up, contributing to a higher success rate.

What Happens After Egg Freezing?

When you are ready to use your frozen eggs, they will be thawed and fertilised with sperm. The resulting embryos will then be transferred to your uterus.

Why choose egg freezing

Why Consider Egg Freezing?

The procedure offers several advantages for your reproductive health planning:

  • Preserve Fertility Potential

Freezing your eggs in your 20s and 30s, while they’re still at an optimal state helps preserve their quality for later use. This fertility preservation strategy gives you the flexibility to use your eggs when you decide to start a family.

  • Family Planning Flexibility

It gives you the freedom to decide when to start a family. You can pursue personal or professional goals without the pressure of your biological clock, giving you more control over your life choices.

  • Control Your Reproductive Timeline

You get to decide the most appropriate time to conceive. This control over your fertility timeline can reduce stress and enable you to plan for parenthood when the timing feels right.

  • Improve Pregnancy Chances

Using eggs that were frozen when you were younger can increase your chances of a successful pregnancy. Younger eggs are generally healthier, which can lead to more optimum outcomes during fertilisation and pregnancy.

  • Medical Conditions

If you have a medical condition or a family history of early menopause that could affect your fertility, the procedure can be a proactive step. It allows you to preserve your eggs before any potential decline in fertility, enabling you to have the option to conceive later on.

Are you ready to explore the benefits of egg freezing? At SMG Women’s Health, we offer guidance and personalised support to help you make informed decisions about your future. Whether you’re considering egg freezing for medical reasons or to enhance your family planning flexibility, our team of gynaecologists are here to assist you every step of the way.

Common FAQs Regarding Egg Freezing

1. When is the best age for me to freeze my eggs?

Ladies should freeze their eggs before the age of 35. Fertility starts to decline after the age of 35 and this affects both the quality and quantity of the eggs.

2. How long can the eggs be kept frozen?

In Singapore, there is no time limit on how long eggs frozen for medical reasons can be kept frozen. As freezing effectively hits the “pause” button, these eggs will be just as young and healthy as they were at the time of freezing.

3. Where are the eggs kept?

Frozen eggs are kept in storage tanks filled with liquid nitrogen called Dewars. These tanks are stored in assisted reproduction centres. Some centres have sophisticated temperature monitoring systems that will send messages to the staff mobile phones if a rise in temperature is detected, enabling them to assess the situation and move the eggs to another tank if there is a problem.

4. Is egg freezing safe?

Research to date has not shown an increased risk of babies having birth defects as a result of egg freezing.

5. If I freeze my eggs, will it increase my chances of falling pregnant?

If you freeze your eggs when you are younger, you can use these healthier eggs when you are trying for a baby once you are much older.

It is important to keep in mind that using the eggs that you have frozen to try for a baby does not mean you will definitely have a baby. There are many other factors that can affect your chances of falling pregnant.

6. Is egg freezing legal in Singapore?

From 2023, the Singapore government has announced that ladies can now freeze their eggs for non-medical reasons. You can find out more here.

7. How much will it cost if I need to freeze my eggs for medical reasons here in Singapore?

The estimated cost of one cycle of egg freezing is $10,000.

Contact us today to schedule a consultation at one of our fertility clinics, conveniently located throughout Singapore.

Incorporated in 2005, Singapore Medical Group (SMG) is a healthcare organisation with a network of private specialist providers across four established pillars - Aesthetics, Diagnostic Imaging & Screening, Oncology and Women's & Children's Health. Within Singapore, SMG has more than 40 clinics strategically located in central Singapore and heartland estates. Beyond Singapore, SMG also has an established presence in Indonesia, Vietnam and Australia. Learn about our privacy policy here.

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