28-12-2023 (SINGAPORE) More Singaporean women are freezing their eggs after the government relaxed restrictions in July, providing new fertility options amid a trend of later marriages and childbearing. Clinics report inquiries and procedures have surged, largely driven by anxious single women seeking insurance against their biological clocks.
The amended law now allows women aged 21 to 37 to undergo elective egg freezing, a process previously limited to medical reasons. Proponents hailed the move as empowering women to preserve fertility and conceive later in life if they choose.
But clinics say interest has spiked among single women in their mid-30s specifically. At Monash IVF Singapore, egg freezing cases have doubled to 20 since July. Thomson Medical Centre performed over 70 procedures in the past five months, mostly for singles aspiring to start families someday.
Doctors caution against waiting until the last minute, despite the increased access. Egg quantity and quality decline with age, even with freezing. Women over 37 have just a 50% chance of conceiving from 20 frozen eggs versus 90% at 34.
“Age is the biggest handicap, we can’t help biology,” said Dr. Suresh Nair of Monash IVF, urging patients not to delay childbearing without medical cause. “Egg freezing is not a guarantee.”
Instead, clinics encourage freezing eggs younger for the best odds later. But the approximately S$10,000 cost, excluding storage fees, deters some. Certain centers now offer bundled deals to ease the financial barrier.
The two-week extraction process can also be uncomfortable, involving daily hormone injections. But new oral medication to prevent ovulation reduces injections and pain, potentially lowering costs too.
Still, doctors highlight egg freezing provides options when circumstances change. While singles can freeze eggs now, only married couples may use them. But the insurance gives hope.
“It’s very empowering for younger women to have this option to think about fertility later,” said Dr. Anupriya Agarwal of Mount Elizabeth Fertility Centre. “It’s like buying an insurance policy.”
Singapore’s policy change reflects a broader evolution in supporting women’s choices. Yet biology remains fixed. For frozen eggs to deliver babies later requires freezing early. The ticking clock still pushes tough decisions for women striving to balance careers, relationships and families.
