Fertility clinics in Dubai register a whopping 20-fold increase in women requesting egg freezing procedures compared to 2021, doctors
“Egg freezing has become increasingly popular worldwide, including the UAE over recent years,” said Luciano Nardo, CEO and founder of NOW-fertility.
“More and more women are asking to cryopreserve their eggs in a modern, career driven and financially stable environment. This is the result of a trend towards fertility preservation as well as an empowered female society, technological advancements and favourable changes in the legislation.
Legal reforms in 2021 now permit the freezing of human embryos and eggs in the UAE. Since then, many have chosen to do so for various reasons, but the prevailing sentiment suggests that most women are choosing to prioritise their careers and pursue higher education.
The law stipulates that human embryos can be frozen for up to five years – extendable with the consent of relevant parties – and that single women can freeze their eggs provided they are used for their own pregnancy after marriage with their husband’s sperm in an IVF procedure. However, surrogacy as well as egg and sperm donations remain illegal in the UAE.
“We see a clear trend towards egg freezing and fertility preservation in the last 1-2 years,” said Medical Director at the Orchid IVF clinic in Dubai, Dr. Dimitrios Kafetzis.
Just a decade ago, this technology and scientific knowledge were not available, he explained. Eggs were frozen using a different method, which was not as effective, resulting in many women losing their eggs upon defrosting. While that is still the case, it is to a smaller extent, with 10-20 percent lost during thawing.
“All women, if they are single, and over 28 years of age, should see a fertility consultant and measure their ovarian reserve hormone (AMH). The results of this hormone, along with a scan of the ovaries, will give an accurate picture and will help us [know whether to] proceed or not,” Kafetzis added.
According to Torkia Mahloul, COO of Ovasave, there has also been a surge in egg freezing procedures globally.
“While there are no publicly available national statistics, we have observed a significant increase in women showing interest in their fertility and opting to freeze their eggs in the UAE. This trend aligns with the global pattern seen in markets like the US and Europe, where egg freezing procedures have been growing at a rate of more than 25 percent annually,” Mahloul said.
“There has been a notable shift in mentality, with prominent women and influencers in the UAE openly sharing their egg freezing journeys on social media platforms. The response to these stories has been overwhelmingly positive, indicating a growing acceptance and understanding of egg freezing as a recommended solution for women who are considering having a child after the age of 35.”
More young women are focusing on higher education, building their careers, and taking the time to explore their personal aspirations such as travelling or finding the right partner to settle down with, Mahloul explained, suggesting that they freeze their eggs at a younger age so they can take control of their reproductive future and alleviate the stress associated with “the ticking biological clock.”
“Another exciting development is that egg freezing is becoming less of a taboo topic. Women are embracing the idea, openly discussing it, and feeling proud of taking charge of their fertility. This positive shift in mentality is empowering, fueling curiosity about their own reproductive health and inspiring action, such as opting for egg freezing.”
