More freezing their egg and sperm
abu dhabi — The number of unmarried men and women seeking to preserve their fertility is growing in the UAE, claim doctors and reproductive specialists.
Dr Elsamawal El Hakim, consultant Reproductive Medicine and IVF, HealthPlus Fertility Centre, in Abu Dhabi - United Eastern Medical Services, told Khaleej Times that 15 unmarried women and men received fertility preserving treatment in the past three months alone.
He said the taboo nature of preserving an unmarried woman’s eggs or a man’s semen has diminished, as awareness has increased. “There is an increase in awareness among both genders, and clear access for men and women, whether married or not, to preserve their fertility.”
Dr El Hakim said cancer patients in particular are choosing to go ahead with the fertility treatments, prior to undergoing chemotherapy or radiation, which could drastically affect their chances of conceiving later. “There are many serious cases to be considered for fertility preservation, including cancer. Other medical conditions such arthritis, systemic lupus disease, sickle cell and thalassemia, are also crucial.”
But it is not just those suffering from deadly illnesses that are turning to fertility preservation in the UAE, as career-driven residents are now also looking at how they can balance their passion for work, while securing their chances of having a family in the future. “Sometimes people delay their marriage for career reasons or not finding the right person, and in women this has a great effect on egg numbers.”
He highlighted that there were 12 single women and three single men in the past three months. Eggs, in some cases, are collected from unmarried women using advanced laparoscopy techniques. For single women, it requirs prior approval by the relevant health authorities. Dr El Hakim said the cases were approved by the Ministry of Health. Dr El Hakim said the samples are preserved by keeping them under a temperature of up to 194 degrees below zero, using liquid nitrogen gas. They are preserved for five years, then renewed.
During a screening, we informed an Emirati woman in her 30s that her eggs were declining, and she then decided to freeze her eggs.”
Dr Elsamawal El Hakim, Consultant Reproductive Medicine and IVF, HealthPlus Fertility Centre
Majd Abu Zant, COO, United Eastern Medical Services and CEO of HealthPlus Network of Specialty Centres, said the centre performs thousands of treatments each year, with a success rate of over 45.2 per cent. “The centre performs more than 2,670 infertility treatment sessions annually, and samples of eggs or sperms for more than 3,000 patients are currently preserved.”
The centre performs over 2,670 infertility sessions annually, and eggs or sperms for more than 3,000 patients are currently preserved.” Majd Abu Zant, COO, United Eastern Medical Services; CEO, HealthPlus Network of Specialty Centres
Recent preservation cases
A single Arab-26-year old woman had 12 of her eggs preserved. She was diagnosed with breast cancer and her oncologist suggested preserving her eggs prior to chemotherapy. A man diagnosed with leukaemia at 29 — also chose to freeze his semen. Two samples from the cancer patient were preserved, with 20 million sperms in each.
“An Emirati woman in her thirties went abroad for her career. During her screening, we informed her that her eggs were declining, and she decided to freeze her eggs.” A 41-year-old Sudanese woman who had a delayed marriage also went ahead with egg freezing. “The treatment usually takes 10-12 days for women,” Dr El Hakim added.
jasmine@khaleejtimes.com