A new trend is hatching on TikTok as women celebrate their reproductive choices with ‘egg showers’ – festive gatherings where friends and family toast to fertility preservation and family planning on one’s own terms.
Women are increasingly choosing to freeze their eggs as a means to preserve fertility, driven by factors such as delayed parenthood, medical concerns and declining fertility with age. While this trend offers women the option to postpone starting a family while pursuing other life goals, what exactly is it all about?
Arabian Business reached out to medical experts to understand the trend, and here is what they said.
First things first, what is egg freezing?
Egg freezing, known as oocyte cryopreservation, is a fertility preservation technique where a woman’s eggs (oocytes) are extracted, frozen, and stored for future use.
“These eggs can later be thawed, fertilised with sperm through in vitro fertilisation (IVF), and implanted in the woman’s uterus. This procedure is an option for women who want to preserve their fertility,” Dr Walid Sayed, Consultant Obstetrics & Gynecology (IVF) at HealthPlus Fertility Centre told Arabian Business.
“The process generally involves the following steps. The first step is ovarian stimulation, where hormonal medications are used to stimulate the ovaries to produce multiple eggs during one menstrual cycle. The second step is egg retrieval, which involves retrieving eggs through a minor surgical procedure known as transvaginal ultrasound aspiration. If transvaginal retrieval is not possible, alternative methods such as transrectal, abdominal, or laparoscopic retrieval may be used. The third step is freezing, where the retrieved eggs are frozen using a process called vitrification. This rapid freezing method reduces ice crystal formation, which can damage the cells,” Dr Sayed said.
However, while egg freezing offers a chance to preserve fertility, it does not guarantee successful pregnancy, as the success rate depends on various factors such as – the woman’s age at the time of freezing, and the quality of the frozen eggs.
It is essential to consult with a fertility specialist to discuss the risks, benefits and potential costs of egg freezing.
Egg freezing: Process and cost revealed
“The process of stimulation and egg collection can be uncomfortable,” Cassie Destino, founder of IVF Support UAE told Arabian Business.
“Having a change in hormones can result in some side effects such as cramping and headaches. Once the ovaries are full of mature eggs there can be a feeling of fullness or bloating. The egg collection itself is done under sedation so there isn’t pain involved there. Some women also experience soreness for a few days after the egg collection, but it’s usually very easily managed with over the counter pain relief medication,” she explained adding that the cost of freezing eggs in the UAE varies from clinic to clinic.
“More and more clinics are offering special egg freezing packages. It’s important to check what exactly the clinic is including in the package. Sometimes medications are not included and that can be a significant cost. You can expect to pay anywhere between AED 10,000 and AED 20,000,” she added.
Why are women opting to freeze their eggs?
Dr Sayed explained that women choose egg freezing for various reasons, including medical conditions, age-related fertility concerns, and personal or career considerations.
For example, he said, those diagnosed with conditions like cancer might freeze their eggs before undergoing treatments such as chemotherapy or radiation, which can affect fertility. Women with poor ovarian reserve at a younger age or conditions such as endometriosis, which diminishes ovarian reserve, may also opt for egg freezing.
As fertility declines with age, especially after 35, freezing eggs at a younger age helps preserve their quality, improving the chances of a successful pregnancy later, he explained, adding that some women choose egg freezing to delay pregnancy for personal, professional, or educational reasons, allowing them to pursue motherhood when they feel more prepared.
“In recent years, egg freezing has become an increasingly common and accessible option due to advancements in technology although it’s not without risks or guarantees. Success rates can vary widely depending on the woman’s age at the time of egg freezing, the number of eggs frozen, and the expertise of the fertility clinic. Recent technological advancements include the use of AI-based software to evaluate retrieved oocytes, which helps predict the likelihood of future pregnancy success,” he said.
According to a report by BSA Law, until recently, the UAE banned egg freezing except for specific medical reasons. In 2019, a new law was passed, with regulations coming into force in 2021, permitting egg freezing for both social and medical reasons.
The new regulations allow single women to freeze their eggs but require them to use them only after marriage, with their husband’s sperm.
“Women choose to freeze their eggs for many different reasons. Whether it be for medical reasons before cancer treatment, or social reasons like not being with a partner, it’s so wonderful that more and more women are accessing this vital component of women’s health care,” Destino added.
But, should it be celebrated?
“As women, we really only celebrate things like engagements, wedding anniversaries and baby showers,” Becky Hayes, a UK-based podcast host, said in a recent TikTok video.
“A few of my friends, at the moment, are going through the process of freezing their eggs,” she continued.
“This is such a big, stressful and expensive process. They are going through it all by themselves — funding it themselves, going through the actual logistics of it themselves. This needs to be celebrated,” she said.
Since the party often marks a milestone in the woman’s life, such as a career advancement or personal goal, friends and family gather to offer words of encouragement, empathy, and understanding. Some friends and family go the extra mile and may give gifts related to fertility or self-care.
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