We’ve helped more than 100 women and here’s a compilation of all the questions that you might have.
Still unsure? Talk with a care advocate to find out if Zora Health’s services are right for you.
Zora Health helps to make the process simple, accessible and convenient by providing the following:
We operate out of Asia but can serve anyone globally.
Just leave your contact and we can arrange for an initial introductory call.
We can connect you with any doctors globally.
The specific legal requirements for IVF and egg freezing vary among South East Asian countries. In Singapore, for example, egg freezing is only allowed for medical reasons, and there are restrictions on the number of eggs that can be frozen. In Malaysia, there are no specific laws governing egg freezing, but there are guidelines that must be followed. In Thailand, egg freezing is allowed for medical reasons, but surrogacy is not legal. There is no legal framework in Indonesia for IVF and egg freezing.
It is important to research each country's specific laws and regulations to ensure that you are fully informed about your options and any potential limitations or restrictions.
You can always speak to our team and consult us to learn more. We are always here to help and provide you with the necessary information.
Yes, you have the flexibility to choose your own doctor, as Zora works with all doctors and clinics. You may choose your preferred doctor or one from our partner clinics and hospitals. We offer local and overseas options.
Just let us know your preferred doctor and we will contact and discuss with them.
Our expert support includes access to a team of fertility specialists who can answer your questions and provide guidance throughout the process.
You can access expert support through phone, email, or video chat.
Our consultation concierge is a dedicated team member who can help you schedule consultations, appointments, and diagnostic testing.
You can contact our consultation concierge through phone, email, or online chat.
We understand that many women may feel apprehensive upon learning about the need for self-administered injections prior to the egg retrieval procedure. However, it's important to note that discomfort rather than moderate-to-severe pain is commonly reported by women throughout the process. Of course, we need to highlight that every individual's pain tolerance level differs.
Rest assured that your doctor will provide detailed information and guidance regarding what to expect before, during, and after the egg freezing process, addressing any concerns you may have. Their expertise will help ensure your comfort and understanding every step of the way.
All IVF and egg freezing appointments are outpatient procedures, which means you won't need to stay overnight at the clinics. You'll need to take some time off for your egg retrieval during the treatment. However, you can choose whether or not to take time off work for other appointments or procedures as necessary.
We offer appointment scheduling to accommodate your busy schedule.
All IVF and egg freezing appointments are outpatient procedures, which means you won't need to stay overnight at the clinics.
You'll need to take some time off for your egg retrieval during the treatment. However, you can choose whether or not to take time off work for other appointments or procedures as necessary.
We offer appointment scheduling to accommodate your busy schedule.
The success rate of IVF varies depending on several factors, including age, medical history, and treatment type.
While we don't guarantee any success, our team will work with you to explore additional treatment options if needed and provide emotional support throughout the process.
DURING STIMULATION
Some patients may experience skin changes due to hormonal shifts caused by fertility medications. Acne breakouts are the most common skin changes; others may experience dryness and flakiness. Although it is unpredictable how one's skin will react during the treatment cycle, there are simple steps you can take to prevent or manage such changes. Choosing a gentle, oil-free facial cleanser and moisturiser suited to your skin type is advisable before embarking on an IVF or egg freezing cycle.
Bloating is a common side effect of treatment, which can affect one's appetite due to the limited abdominal space occupied by the ovaries and bloating. Constipation is also a typical bowel change during fertility treatment and is often associated with elevated progesterone levels, which occur after ovulation, egg retrieval, and during pregnancy.
Weight gain during fertility treatment is normal due to stress, hormone fluctuations, and bloating. Despite being common, weight gain may still lead to elevated stress, and one should seek ways to manage it.
Headaches can also occur during treatment, especially in patients who frequently experience headaches or migraines. Hormonal changes in the body typically trigger these headaches.
AFTER RETRIEVAL
After the egg-freezing cycle ends, menstrual cycles should return to normal, and any soreness from the egg retrieval should subside within a few days. You may feel some pain upon waking up, such as vaginal soreness or abdominal cramping, similar to period pains. However, such side effects typically last a few days after the procedure. Most women can resume their regular activities, including work, the day after the procedure, although taking a few days off to recuperate is also acceptable.
In rare cases, ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) may occur if the egg freezing medications stimulate the ovaries excessively. This condition results in swollen, enlarged ovaries and the accumulation of fluid in the abdominal cavity. While the chances of OHSS or other egg-freezing severe side effects are minimal, medical professionals monitor patients for signs of such complications throughout the process. If any severe side effects are detected, the doctor will take immediate steps to prevent them.
Fertility treatment carries some risks, including the risk of multiple pregnancies, ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome, and ectopic pregnancy. Our team can provide more information based on your specific circumstances.
We will absolutely love to help. While our standard protocols cover most situations, we understand that each patient's situation is unique. Our team is always happy to work with you to develop a personalized plan that meets your needs.
If you have frozen eggs or embryos from another clinic, we can help you coordinate the transfer process to ensure a seamless transition to our clinic.
Just give us a call or schedule a consultation to discuss your options.
In vitro fertilization (IVF) commonly employs the intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) technique, which involves the injection of a sperm cell directly into the centre of an egg to increase the chances of fertilisation.
When considering egg freezing, there are several important factors to keep in mind. The timing of the procedure is a crucial consideration since both eggs and sperm decline in quality and quantity as we age. It is generally recommended to freeze your eggs as early as possible to ensure optimal quality and quantity. While there is a "magic age" of 35 for eggs, it's still recommended to freeze them earlier if possible.
Cost is another important factor to consider. If cost is not a major concern, then freezing your eggs can be a good form of "insurance" as they are frozen at the age you do it. However, it's important to note that egg freezing is not a foolproof method, and there is much debate about its efficacy.
The type of treatment is another consideration to keep in mind. If you are looking to preserve your fertility, you can opt for either egg freezing (for single women) or embryo freezing (for couples). If you are looking to get pregnant, there are various options such as IVF, IUI, and others.
Legalities are also an important factor to consider. Can you do egg freezing in Singapore, for example? Additionally, it's important to think about what happens in the future, as some places only allow married couples to use the frozen eggs.
Finally, logistics must be taken into account. Where do you want to do the procedure? If overseas, would you prefer to do a hybrid process (stimulation in Singapore, retrieval overseas), or spend 2-3 weeks overseas for the entire process? Each option has its own pros and cons that must be weighed carefully.
What is egg freezing?
Egg freezing is a procedure that involves collecting a woman’s eggs from her ovaries and freezing them for use in the future.
There are a number of reasons why women may choose to freeze their eggs. Often, women want to preserve their fertility so that they can try and have a family when they are ready at a later date. This is known as ‘social’ egg freezing. Women may also choose to freeze their eggs before undergoing medical treatment that may impact their fertility, such as chemotherapy. When a woman is ready to use the frozen eggs, they are defrosted and fertilised, before being transferred to the womb.
What is embryo freezing?
Embryo freezing is a procedure that allows women to store fertilised eggs for later use. These eggs will have been fertilised in a laboratory with either a partner or donor’s sperm. Most often, when people undergo in vitro fertilisation (IVF) or intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), good quality embryos are left over after embryo transfer. These embryos can be frozen for use in the future, should the treatment not work or should people wish to try for another baby.
Other people may choose to freeze their embryos to preserve fertility, so they can use them to try to get pregnant at a later date. This is known as the ‘freeze all’ or elective frozen embryo transfer (FET) technique. In certain cases, patients with specific health conditions may benefit from having an FET. Sometimes, embryos are frozen to be donated to others, or for medical research.
Main Difference
The difference between freezing eggs vs. freezing embryos can be found in the lab, too. During embryo freezing, the eggs are fertilized using IVF before they’re frozen, and develop, over a period of several days, into embryos, which are then flash frozen. Once again, the health of the embryos, created from young and healthy eggs, is maintained when they’re frozen at such a low temperature.
When it comes to comparing freezing eggs versus freezing embryos, egg freezing is often the more practical and flexible choice for many women. Freezing embryos requires fertilization with sperm before freezing, which may not be useful or feasible for single women or those unsure about their co-parenting plans.
1. CONSENT AND AUTONOMY
A key difference between embryo freezing and egg freezing is the issue of autonomy. Eggs can be frozen without needing to be fertilized first, which allows women to preserve their fertility independently and decide what eventually happens to their eggs. With embryo freezing, the embryos belong to two people. If you freeze embryos with donor sperm, you may not be able to use them if you find a partner later and want to have biological children with them.
Additionally, freezing embryos with your current partner may limit your options down the line and even create legal issues if you disagree on how to use or dispose of them.
“With embryo freezing, the embryos belong to two people. This means if you’ve used a partner or private donor’s sperm, they could withdraw consent for the embryos to be used at any time before they are transferred (this does not apply if you’ve used sperm from a donor bank). This means if your circumstances change – a relationship breaks up, for example – you could end up in a situation where you are unable to use the embryos you’ve frozen.” In contrast, freezing eggs offers more reproductive autonomy and the ability to delay co-parenting decisions until you're ready. It's also a simpler path forward in the case of a breakup or divorce, and discarding unfertilized eggs is a more straightforward decision than discarding embryos.
2. COST
Egg freezing is generally more affordable than embryo freezing since the latter requires in vitro fertilization before freezing.
3. SUCCESS RATE
Many people also believe a frozen embryo is more likely to become a pregnancy than a frozen egg. But that’s not a true comparison, statistically speaking. Comparing freezing eggs vs. freezing embryos typically requires several eggs to result in one embryo, no matter which method you choose. You can freeze many eggs, which may be fertilised later to create a few embryos, or, you can fertilize the eggs right after retrieval and freeze the few embryos that develop. Either way, you will likely have the same number of potential chances at pregnancy.
There was a time, using older slow-freeze technology, when embryos survived the freezing and thawing process better than eggs because embryos are slightly less delicate. However, the introduction of vitrification (flash freezing) has largely eliminated this difference. With this state-of-the-art technique, the survival rates when freezing eggs vs freezing embryos are very similar: 90%+ of eggs and about 95% of embryos survive.
Overall, egg freezing is a practical and accessible choice that allows more women to preserve their options for the future. Ultimately, it is still your own choice!
The number of eggs to freeze varies depending on several factors, including age and ovarian reserve.
On average, it takes two egg freezing cycles to reach the recommended number of eggs for optimal chances of pregnancy. While not every frozen egg will result in a successful pregnancy, freezing more mature eggs increases the chances of success.
For women 37 or younger with good ovarian reserve function, it is typically recommended to freeze between 15 to 20 matured eggs. For women over 37 or those with diminished ovarian function, it is recommended to freeze 25 to 30 eggs to provide multiple attempts to conceive.
Your specialist can provide more guidance based on your specific circumstances.
Eggs can be frozen for many years, with some studies suggesting that they can remain viable for up to 10 years or more.
DURING STIMULATION
Some patients may experience skin changes due to hormonal shifts caused by fertility medications. Acne breakouts are the most common skin changes; others may experience dryness and flakiness. Although it is unpredictable how one's skin will react during the treatment cycle, there are simple steps you can take to prevent or manage such changes. Choosing a gentle, oil-free facial cleanser and moisturiser suited to your skin type is advisable before embarking on an IVF or egg freezing cycle.
Bloating is a common side effect of treatment, which can affect one's appetite due to the limited abdominal space occupied by the ovaries and bloating. Constipation is also a typical bowel change during fertility treatment and is often associated with elevated progesterone levels, which occur after ovulation, egg retrieval, and during pregnancy.
Weight gain during fertility treatment is normal due to stress, hormone fluctuations, and bloating. Despite being common, weight gain may still lead to elevated stress, and one should seek ways to manage it.
Headaches can also occur during treatment, especially in patients who frequently experience headaches or migraines. Hormonal changes in the body typically trigger these headaches.
AFTER RETRIEVAL
After the egg-freezing cycle ends, menstrual cycles should return to normal, and any soreness from the egg retrieval should subside within a few days. You may feel some pain upon waking up, such as vaginal soreness or abdominal cramping, similar to period pains. However, such side effects typically last a few days after the procedure. Most women can resume their regular activities, including work, the day after the procedure, although taking a few days off to recuperate is also acceptable.
In rare cases, ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) may occur if the egg freezing medications stimulate the ovaries excessively. This condition results in swollen, enlarged ovaries and the accumulation of fluid in the abdominal cavity. While the chances of OHSS or other egg-freezing severe side effects are minimal, medical professionals monitor patients for signs of such complications throughout the process. If any severe side effects are detected, the doctor will take immediate steps to prevent them.
Fertility financing is a service that provides funding to help cover the costs of fertility treatments, such as In vitro fertilization (IVF), egg freezing, and more.
The amount you can borrow depends on a variety of factors, including your credit score, income, and the cost of your chosen fertility treatment. Our financing solutions offer flexible options to suit your specific needs. Contact us to discuss the funding options available to you.
We do not have a maximum loan amount, but we are compliant with Singapore's laws. We will work with you to determine a loan amount that is appropriate for your specific needs.
Interest rates vary depending on the financing solution selected and the individual case. Contact us for more information on interest rates and financing options.
The financing process can vary depending on the individual case and the financing solution selected. We strive to provide prompt and efficient service, and will keep you updated throughout the process.
You will need to provide proof of income, identification documents, and other financial information as part of your application.
No, you can use our financing services at any fertility clinic.
Our financing is currently only available residents of Singapore. We are working hard to expand and offer our solutions internationally. Who is issuing the loans?
Loans are issued by a third-party lender, which is an independent financial institution or organization separate from our company. We collaborate with these lenders to provide you with the best possible loan options, but the actual issuance and management of the loans are handled by them.
No, there isn't.
Infertility is defined as the inability to conceive after one year of regular, unprotected sexual intercourse. Because fertility in women is known to decline steadily with age, some providers evaluate and treat women aged 35 years or older after six months of unprotected sex.
Around 17.5% of the adult population – roughly 1 in 6 worldwide – experience infertility.
The main symptom of infertility is not getting pregnant. There may be no other obvious symptoms. Sometimes, women with infertility may have irregular or absent menstrual periods. In some cases, men with infertility may have some signs of hormonal problems, such as changes in hair growth or sexual function.
Women should talk with a care provider earlier, however, if they:
Men should talk to a health care provider if they have:
A woman’s chances of having a baby decrease rapidly every year after age 30. Most experts suggest women younger than age 35 with no apparent health or fertility problems and regular menstrual cycles should try to conceive for at least one year before seeing a doctor. However, for women aged 35 years or older, couples should see a health care provider after 6 months of trying unsuccessfully. Women over 40 years may consider seeking more immediate evaluation and treatment.
Some health problems also increase the risk of infertility. So, couples with the following signs or symptoms should not delay seeing their health care provider when they are trying to become pregnant:
For women:
For men:
It is a good idea for any woman and her partner to talk to a healthcare provider before trying to get pregnant. They can help you get your body ready for a healthy baby, answer fertility questions, and give tips on conceiving.
In the usual fertility test,
Fertility tests for women:
Fertility tests for men:
Depending on your situation, rarely your testing may include:
For women:
For Men:
Unexplained infertility is when fertility testing hasn't found a cause to explain a person or couples infertility. Treatments include fertility medication, lifestyle changes, intrauterine insemination (IUI) and in vitro fertilization (IVF).
Fertility treatment carries some risks, including the risk of multiple pregnancies, ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome, and ectopic pregnancy. Our team can provide more information based on your specific circumstances.
Your lifestyle and environment can have an impact on your fertility. Research consistently shows that numerous lifestyle factors can affect fertility in women, men, or both, including but not limited to:
For instance, research has found that:
Lifestyle factors are modifiable habits and ways of life that can greatly influence overall health and well-being, including fertility.
We always strive to improve and provide you with the best user experience. If you have any feedback, suggestions or requests, do contact us at hello@zorahealth.co.